White House Murder Mystery: ‘The Residence’ is the New ‘Knives Out’ on Netflix

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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.

An age-old murder mystery never loses its charm, and the new Netflix series “The Residence” is a testament to that. Lovers of witty whodunits such as “Knives Out” will undoubtedly find delight in this eight-episode series which started streaming just a few days back.

Dramas at the White House are abundant, boasting renowned series such as “House of Cards” and “The West Wing.” However, it’s unusual to encounter a peculiar murder mystery unfolding within America’s most recognized dwelling, arguably the world’s as well. The outcome is an engaging and hard-to-resist Netflix show that doesn’t tax your mind too much but keeps you captivated with its intricate plot development.

What Is Netflix’s The Residence About?

A Fun Whodunit Set Inside The White House

As of now, “The Residence” season 1 ranks as the second most popular English series on Netflix this week, with approximately 50 million total viewing hours. It is only surpassed by “Adolescence”, the critically acclaimed limited series. However, unlike “Adolescence”, “The Residence” has a more humorous tone and isn’t entirely based on real events. Instead, it was influenced by the non-fiction book “The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House” by Kate Andersen Brower.

In “The Residence,” a series penned by Paul William Davies, a murder mystery takes center stage during a grand state dinner. Each staff member becomes a potential suspect following this scandal. Enter Cordelia Cupp, a sharp-witted detective portrayed by Uzo Aduba. As the investigation progresses, it’s unveiled that the deceased had contentious relationships with numerous White House personnel, such as the president’s chief advisor, the deputy usher, and even some of the president’s relatives. The narrative unfolds within the various tiers – upstairs, downstairs, and behind the scenes – of the residence, as the hunt for the killer ensues.

The Residence Assembles A Star-Studded Mystery

Cast Members Of The Netflix Series

The film titled The Residence is bound to be compared to Knives Out, primarily because of its similar tone and the peculiarities of its lead detective. Similar to Daniel Craig’s character Benoit Blanc, Uzo Aduba portrays Cordelia Cupp, who employs unusual tactics and witty humor in her investigations. The talented Giancarlo Esposito plays A.B. Wynter, the White House Chief Usher, who is also the murder victim. His selection for this role implies that Wynter’s character might have hidden depths. He manages the White House, listens to all its secrets, and possibly harbors some of his own.

Among those recognized are Randall Park from WandaVision, portraying FBI agent Edwin Park, who finds it challenging to match Cordelia’s pace in the investigation. The ensemble also includes Susan Kelechi Watson (from This Is Us), Jason Lee (known for My Name Is Earl), and Molly Griggs, among others. As the number of White House staff under suspicion increases to approximately 157 personnel and various guests, the casting is spot-on. Moreover, pop sensation Kylie Minogue makes an unexpected appearance in a special role.

How The Residence Delivers A Classic Whodunit

Clear Ending, Good Clues, & Authentic Setting

The Residence possesses the elements of a traditional witty-yet-mysterious crime drama, culminating in a well-executed solution. The unmasking of the murderer isn’t a hasty, end-of-the-line surprise but rather a gradual reveal skillfully interspersed with clever red herrings across its eight episodes. Typically, each episode lasts between 50 to 55 minutes, except for the final two, which are extended to 68 and 88 minutes respectively. The titles of the episodes subtly acknowledge iconic murder mysteries such as Dial M for Murder by Alfred Hitchcock and, of course, Knives Out, as well.

The series draws influence from its original novel, suggesting that the White House personnel view themselves as the true inhabitants, considering the president an outsider. This unique dynamic presents a significant hurdle for Detective Cupp as she navigates this close-knit community to expose the truth. In essence, the show provides a peek into the authentic lives of White House staff members, albeit with a fictional murder integrated into the narrative.

Was Andre Braugher in The Residence?

Netflix Show Honors Late B99 Actor

At the culmination of its inaugural season, “The Residence” paid a heartfelt tribute to the late André Braugher. Known for his role in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, Braugher was initially cast as A.B. Wynter, but regrettably succumbed to lung cancer in December 2023. Giancarlo Esposito stepped into the role thereafter. The series handled this somber event with utmost dignity. In addition to an “In Memory” card, the concluding episode includes a moving speech by Uzo Aduba’s character Cordelia, which seems to be a touching homage to Braugher himself.

In a March 2025 interview with Deadline, creator Paul William Davies himself verified this fact. Meanwhile, Susan Kelechi Watson, our assistant usher, also chimed in with her confirmation.

In the latest episode, Uzo’s words about A.B. Wynter seemed like a heartfelt tribute to Andre. I still recall that day vividly; it was profound hearing those words aloud. For the first time, we were all gathered in one place, sharing our grief over Andre and honoring the unique life he led.

Who Created The Residence?

The TV show titled “The Residence” hails from Shondaland, the production company owned by renowned TV personality Shonda Rhimes. Previously, creator Paul William Davies was a writer, producer, and story editor for Shondaland’s political drama series, Scandal, which also revolved around the White House and its personnel. In July 2018, Netflix and Shondaland made an official announcement about “The Residence“, as part of a significant agreement after acquiring the rights to transform the non-fiction book it’s based on into a series. Now, all eight episodes of season 1 of “The Residence” are available for streaming on Netflix.

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2025-03-26 20:11