Reaching the number one spot on its first week premiere, Netflix’s “The Residence” stands out as a stunning, genre-bending series. It delivers a gripping, twisty murder mystery while managing to weave in razor-sharp humor, much of it courtesy of Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), whose wit is just as lethal as her detective skills. Set against the backdrop of the U.S. White House, the series doesn’t just give us a “whodunit”. Rather, it showcases the inner workings of America’s most famous residence, the White House, all while including a richly diverse cast of equally suspicious characters. The result is a show that feels as fresh as it is addictive.
The story kicks off on the night of a high-profile state dinner with Australia, when tragedy strikes and the White House chief usher (the person who directs activities in the White House), A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito), is found dead. Detective Cordelia Cupp is called to the scene. She is a delightfully offbeat detective with a passion for bird watching and metaphors, which are brilliantly brought to life with humor and depth by Aduba. She’s joined by her reluctant but loyal partner, FBI agent Edwin Park (Randall Park), alongside the no-nonsense D.C. police chief Larry Dokes (Isiah Whitlock Jr.). As the trio interviews a rotating cast of suspects through a long night of conflicting perspectives and compelling arguments about who the murderer is. Cupp’s rather unexpected bird-themed perspective, observations and comedic friction with Agent Park were one of the many highlights of the show that I thoroughly enjoyed.
It should be noted that the mystery is nested within a set of Senate Hearings, with Senator Bix (Eliza Coupe) and Senator Filkins (Al Franken) expressing the emotions of the viewers, sometimes I would find myself shouting with them in agreement as to who could possibly be the murderer. Although the show advertises itself as having 132 rooms and 157 suspects involved, in reality, the focus remains on a tight group of roughly fourteen people, allowing each episode to dive deep into individual stories and motives. I found each character was given enough screen time to feel real and varied, from members of the culinary staff to top political figures involved.
One of my favorite aspects of “The Residence” is how it uses its diverse cast to reflect real-world tensions and identities. Characters come from all walks of American life, which brings layered motives and backstories. From the White House chef who presents the standard rules and regulations of official dining to the president’s estranged brother, whose sketchy background excludes him from public appearances, the show directly explores how race, class, and personal history impact the activities of the House. The inclusion of a homosexual president adds another layer of representation not seen in older productions. I appreciate how the show gives the characters depth by placing their identities at the center of many compelling motives and emotional arcs.
In one particularly moving sequence, the series explores the chaos of a fictional terrorist attack and its effect on the White House staff, which highlights the emotional toll on characters who oftentimes find themselves in the background of plots. Additionally, we see how engineers, social workers, and event planners must constantly adapt to the whims of a changing administration, which once again places importance on roles that are typically overlooked in political shows/dramas.
Ultimately, ‘The Residence’ is more than just a regular-old murder mystery. It’s a witty, satirical, and surprisingly emotional exploration of life in the most important house in America. With a strong cast, clever script, and a perfect balance between suspense and comedy, it’s an inviting show for viewers to have a laugh, guess who, and immerse themselves. This is one “residence” you’ll want to check into.