Summary
A good old murder mystery never goes out of style, and Netflix’s all-new seriesThe Residenceis proof of that. Fans of lighthearted whodunits likeKnives Outwill absolutely enjoy this eight-episode series, which began streaming less than a week ago.
White House dramas are plentiful, with iconicseries likeHouse of CardsandThe West Wing. But it’s rare to see a quirky murder mystery set inside the most famous “residence” in America and possibly the world. The result is a highly bingeable and addictiveNetflixshow that doesn’t overwhelm your brain but keeps you hooked with its layered storytelling.
What Is Netflix’sThe ResidenceAbout?
A Fun Whodunit Set Inside The White House
The Residenceseason 1 is currently the secondmost-watched English show on Netflixthis week, with nearly 50 million total hours viewed. It trails onlyAdolescence, the groundbreaking limited series hit. However, unlikeAdolescence,The Residenceis way more lighthearted and not entirely based on true incidents. Instead, it was loosely inspired by the non-fiction bookThe Residence: Inside the Private World of the White Houseby Kate Andersen Brower.
Created by Paul William Davies,The Residencerevolves around a murder scandal during a state dinner, where every staff member becomes a suspect. This brings in Cordelia Cupp, a brilliant detective played by Uzo Aduba. The investigation reveals that the victim had conflicts withseveral White House figures, including the president’s top advisor, the next-in-line head usher, and even some of the president’s family members. The show is set within the “upstairs, downstairs, and backstairs” of the residence as the hunt for the killer unfolds.
The ResidenceAssembles A Star-Studded Mystery
Cast Members Of The Netflix Series
The Residencewill inevitably draw comparisons toKnives Out, mainly due to its tone and its eccentric lead detective. Much likeDaniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc, Uzo Aduba’s Cordelia Cupp uses unconventional methods and sharp humor. A.B. Wynter, the White House Chief Usher and the murder victim, is played by the brilliantGiancarlo Esposito. His casting alone suggests there’s more to the character than meets the eye. He keeps the White House running, hears every secret, and likely has a few of his own.
Other familiar faces includeWandaVision’sRandall Park, who plays FBI agent Edwin Park, brought in to assist Cordelia, though he struggles to keep up with her investigation. The cast also features Susan Kelechi Watson (This Is Us), Jason Lee (My Name Is Earl), and Molly Griggs, among others. Additionally, the number of White House staff under suspicion reaches around 157 personnel and numerous other guests, all aptly cast. Plus, pop star Kylie Minogue makes a surprise cameo.
HowThe ResidenceDelivers A Classic Whodunit
Clear Ending, Good Clues, & Authentic Setting
The Residencehas all the ingredients of aclassic screwball whodunit, including a satisfying resolution. The reveal of the murderer isn’t a rushed, last-minute twist. Instead, the series carefully plants clues throughout its eight episodes while also keeping viewers guessing with some clever misdirections. Most episodes run 50 to 55 minutes, except for the last two, which are 68 and 88 minutes long. The episode titles pay tribute to classic murder mysteries, includingDial M for Murderby Alfred Hitchcockand, of course,Knives Out,too.
The show takes inspiration from its source book, which reveals that White House staff see themselves as the “real residents”, while even the president is an outsider. This makes Detective Cupp’s job especially challenging as she tries to break through this tight-knit culture to uncover the truth. Essentially, the show offers a glimpse into the real lives of White House staff, but with a fictional murder added to the mix.
Was Andre Braugher inThe Residence?
Netflix Show Honors LateB99Actor
The Residencehonors the late André Braugher at the end of its first season. TheBrooklyn Nine-Ninestarwas originally cast as A.B. Wynter, but sadly passed away from lung cancer in December 2023. Giancarlo Esposito took over the role. The show handled this loss with great respect. Beyond the “In Memory card”, the final episode features a speech by Uzo Aduba’s Cordelia that almost feels like a tribute to Braugher himself.
Show creator Paul William Davies confirmed this in a March 2025interview withDeadline. Susan Kelechi Watson, who played the assistant usher, added:
In the last episode, it felt almost like a eulogy to Andre when Uzo speaks about A.B. Wynter. I remember that day, it was so special to hear it out loud. It was the first time we all got to be in the space and kind of mourn with one another over Andre in this and the special life that he lived.
Who CreatedThe Residence?
The Residencecomes from Shondaland, the production company run by TV icon Shonda Rhimes. Creator Paul William Davies previously worked as a writer, producer, and executive story editor on Shondaland’s political thrillerScandal, another series centered around the White House and its staff. Netflix and Shondaland announcedThe Residencein July 2018 as part of a massive deal after acquiring the rights to adapt thenon-fiction bookit’s based on. All eight episodes ofThe Residenceseason 1 are now streaming on Netflix.
