Summary
- The Residence is a star-studded murder mystery series set in the White House.
- The show carefully plants clues and misdirections leading to a satisfying conclusion.
- The series pays tribute to late actor André Braugher in a respectful manner.
A good old murder mystery never goes out of style, and Netflix’s all-new series The Residence is proof of that. Fans of lighthearted whodunits like Knives Out will absolutely enjoy this eight-episode series, which began streaming less than a week ago.
White House dramas are plentiful, with iconic series like House of Cards and The 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 addictive Netflix show that doesn’t overwhelm your brain but keeps you hooked with its layered storytelling.
Related
Murder Mysteries Are Back, But Why?
Between Knives Out, multiple Agatha Christie films, and See How They Run, what brought the classic whodunnit back from the dead?
What Is Netflix’s The Residence About?
A Fun Whodunit Set Inside The White House
The Residence season 1 is currently the second most-watched English show on Netflix this week, with nearly 50 million total hours viewed. It trails only Adolescence, the groundbreaking limited series hit. However, unlike Adolescence, The Residence is way more lighthearted and not entirely based on true incidents. Instead, it was loosely inspired by the non-fiction book The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower.
Created by Paul William Davies, The Residence revolves 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 with several 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 Residence Assembles A Star-Studded Mystery
Cast Members Of The Netflix Series
The Residence will inevitably draw comparisons to Knives Out, mainly due to its tone and its eccentric lead detective. Much like Daniel 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 brilliant Giancarlo 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 include WandaVision’s Randall 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.
How The Residence Delivers A Classic Whodunit
Clear Ending, Good Clues, & Authentic Setting
The Residence has all the ingredients of a classic 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, including Dial M for Murder by Alfred Hitchcock and, 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 in The Residence?
Netflix Show Honors Late B99 Actor
The Residence honors the late André Braugher at the end of its first season. The Brooklyn Nine-Nine star was 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 2025 interview with Deadline. 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 Created The Residence?
The Residence comes 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 thriller Scandal, another series centered around the White House and its staff. Netflix and Shondaland announced The Residence in July 2018 as part of a massive deal after acquiring the rights to adapt the non-fiction book it’s based on. All eight episodes of The Residence season 1 are now streaming on Netflix.
