If you’re looking for your next murder mystery binge, creative powerhouse Shonda Rhimes (Bridgerton) and Netflix have you covered with The Residence, hitting the platform on March 20.
The eight-episode series comes from showrunner, writer, and executive producer Paul William Davies, known for other Shondaland projects including Scandal and For The People, who was inspired by Kate Andersen Browe’s nonfiction book The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House. Despite the setting, politics aren’t at the forefront here. In fact, this is set in an alternate reality: a very progressive one where there’s a First Gentleman instead of a First Lady.
On the night of October 11, during a state dinner honoring Australian diplomats, White House Chief Usher A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito, who stepped in after Andre Braugher’s passing in December 2023) is murdered. There are only a few staff members aware of what they refer to as “the incident,” including Harry Hollinger (Ken Marino), President Perry Morgan’s (Paul Fitzgerald) closest friend and chief advisor. He’s joined by the head of the Secret Service presidential detail, Colin Trask (Dan Perrault), and FBI director Wally Gick (Spencer Garrett).
World-renowned sleuth Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), a consulting detective for the Metropolitan Police Department, arrives at the hectic scene at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave with Chief Larry Dokes (Isiah Whitlock Jr.), one of the few people who accept Cupp for all her quirks and doesn’t bother trying to understand her. It’s in her nature to be quiet and observant, a stark contrast to Hollinger’s chaotic, expletive-laced energy. As a birder, she has an impressive amount of patience, even when frustrating people get in her way.
Everyone handles Wynter’s death, which is very clearly a murder, differently. While Harry is more worried about optics and any potential scandal, the people who worked for/with the deceased have an array of emotional responses. Assistant usher Jasmine Haney (Susan Kelechi Watson) has to manage her shock and immediately take on Chief Usher duties, while social secretary Lilly Schumacher (Molly Griggs) is focused on the event taking place.
Like all famous fictional detectives, Cordelia Cupp has her own way of doing things. Even with her track record, her meticulous methods cause more tension. She’s forced to work with FBI Special Agent Edwin Park (Randall Park), someone more by the book who gradually comes to (sort of) appreciate Cupp’s investigative tactics. With more than 130 rooms and over 150 people — staff, occupants, guests, Kylie Minogue — to interview, it’s a very long night.
Most episodes cut between the night of the murder and a Congressional committee led by Aaron Filkins (Al Franken), where various key players testify. Plus, there are flashbacks with Wynter, showing how relationships between the White House staff are built and broken. The ensemble cast is extensive, and in the first few episodes, it can be difficult to remember every staff member and their specific history with the dear departed Wynter. However, the talent on screen is undeniable.
Some characters are over-the-top, like Marvella (Mary Wiseman), the highly-stressed executive chef who has a beef with pretty much everyone but has an especially tense rivalry with executive pastry chef Didier Gotthard (Bronson Pinchot). It’s the classic push and pull of sticking with old traditions versus evolving and trying something fresh.
The Residence has a distinct pace, particularly in its dialogue. There’s a lot of rhythm and repetition to the comedy and although some scenes are better than others, the ensemble cast is exceptional with their delivery and ability to keep up with each other like playing comedic tennis. There are lots of laughs throughout the series but also surprisingly dramatic moments. Sheila Cannon (Edwina Findley), a lively butler sure to become a fan favorite character, is one of the funniest of the bunch. When she’s interviewed by Cordelia, she shows some vulnerability, explaining how much this job means to her, like her close kinship with Nan Cox (Jane Curtin), mother of the First Gentleman Elliot Morgan (Barrett Foa).
Along with its other elements, François Audouy’s (A Complete Unknown) production design is extremely detailed and offers ample opportunity for clues and references. You’ll want to rewatch the series because it’s entertaining but also to catch things you looked over.
Even though most character outfits are work uniforms, costume designer Lyn Paolo (Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story) added pops of personality to some of the looks, which helps certain characters stand out. In addition to her incredible hair, Cordelia gets her own iconic detective look that’s a blend of British gumshoe, avian enthusiast, and neutral tone comfort.
While the characters are very different, Aduba’s Cordelia Cupp reminds me of Tiffany Haddish’s Detective Danner from The Afterparty. Both have their odd processes and are frequently underestimated. The Residence also changes point-of-view when characters recall their version of events like The Afterparty, except without the “mind movie” effect that shifts genre with each character.
The Residence is a fun whodunnit with eclectic characters, a star-studded cast, and intricate production and costume design. Fans of Only Murders in the Building, Knives Out, and Clue will be instantly enthralled by the murder mystery and endeared to several characters, beginning with the quirky Cordelia Cupp.
The Residence premieres March 20, 2025, on Netflix.
