The Residence is the best murder mystery on Netflix since Knives Out. The White House whodunnit from Bridgerton and Grey’s Anatomy executive producer Shonda Rhimes hits the ground running and rarely lets up. Created by Paul William Davies and starring Uzo Uduba as consulting detective Cordelia Cupp, The Residence features an eclectic mix of eccentric characters as it reinvigorates the tried and true murder mystery formula.

The Netflix original series — inspired by Kate Andersen Brower’s book The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House — plays with murder mystery tropes and then catches the audience unaware. There are plenty of suspects, red herrings and hidden agends to keep audiences guessing. Between the twists and turns, and the strength of a star-studded cast, eight episodes almost doesn’t feel like enough for this exciting show.

The Residence Orbits Around Uzo Aduba’s Cordelia Cupp

Aduba Anchors a Star-Studded Ensemble Cast

Very few characters make such a first impression as The Residence‘s protagonist Cordelia Cupp. Dressed for comfort and wearing binoculars around her neck, Cordelia is introduced while quietly surveying the White House grounds in full view of curious security staff. Her reputation is efficiently dissected through small talk. What these opening asides achieve is a boatload of exposition that never feels like spoon-feeding; rather, it creates anticipation for Cordelia’s future actions. The performance by Orange is the New Black alum Aduba is full of both confidence and cool detachment, and should garner some awards attention.

Unlike the various incarnations of Sherlock Holmes, Cordelia plays well with others. Although she might academically undermine people, there is no malicious edge to her takedowns. She walks a delicate line on her way to finding an assailant. Cordelia is the calm center of the show, while everyone else seems to be perpetually panicking. Because of that, The Residence sometimes descends into farce at various points. The fact that this tonal change elevates events and enriches encounters between characters, rather than undermining dynamics and drama, is impressive. But it also allows other characters and actors to flourish.

Ken Marino is a standout as Harry Hollinger, the chief adviser to President Perry Morgan. Fans of Brooklyn Nine-Nine will remember Marino as incompetent Captain Stentley, and no one portrays clueless entitlement better. Hollinger is the bureaucratic red tape that Cordelia must work around throughout. He personifies a degree of gender bias and increasing exasperation that is directly in opposition to Cordelia’s cool-headed approach.

Others within the ensemble intent on tripping her up include FBI agent Edwin Park, played by WandaVision alum Randall Park. Edwin plays reluctant second fiddle to Cordelia, and Park peppers his performance with solid comedic moments. He adds dramatic contrast to every scene and does it with the lightest touch. Bronson Pinchot, best known for his role as Serge in Beverly Hills Cop, also impresses as the high-strung pastry chef Didier Gotthard — one of many characters who might hold a grudge against the victim. But The Residence not only benefits from a unique central character and golden ensemble cast; it also has a dynamite story structure.

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The Residence Creates an Appealing World for Netflix Fans

This Quirky White House Comes to Life in Style

Davies has created a fiendishly complex series that runs like clockwork. Every single piece of The Residence appears to been carefully choreographed, refined for momentum and triple-checked to strike a perfect balance. Sweeping camera moves dart around the White House, following Cordelia and company in and out of every room to give the show a visual style. Bread crumbs of evidence are left behind for eagle-eyed armchair detectives in a barnstorming first episode, while later clues are revealed with almost surgical precision. And there’s a love of the mystery genre that comes across throughout, including a few hat tips to Alfred Hitchcock.

Although comparisons to Knives Out and Benoit Blanc are obvious, The Residence ultimately separates itself from any competition because it feels like a fully fleshed-out murder mystery. The fact that it takes place within the White House — where some of the most important global decisions are made every day — makes the show’s premise bombproof and gives it a political undercurrent, which then moves it beyond conventional murder mysteries with minimal effort. The series is also notable for how it’s able to work past the passing of the late Andre Braugher, who was originally cast as chief usher A.B. Wynter.

Giancarlo Esposito took over for Braugher, and so The Residence comes to Netflix with a certain degree of melancholy. Some fans may struggle to forget the tragic circumstances surrounding the recasting. However, The Mandalorian star Esposito does Braugher proud with how he portrays such a pivotal part. His A. B. Wynter is formidable. He knows everything and is on intimate terms with everyone, from the President to low-level functionaries. Esposito gives audiences one of the most charismatic White House staffers since The West Wing. With the way he, his co-stars and Davies bring the White House to life, there’s a sense that there’s plenty to explore beyond this one specific story. The Residence has serious staying power.

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The Residence Can Be Netflix’s Next Long-Running Hit

Season 1 Creates Fertile Ground for Future Mysteries

Half the fun in The Residence comes from viewers finding things out alongside Cordelia. Every suspect is a memorable character, regardless of their guilt or innocence — from President Morgan’s slovenly brother through to Kylie Minogue, who makes a brief guest appearance. The episodes are a series of character-driven dilemmas, with Cordelia serving as the center around which everything is sorted out. The satisfying scripts and high production values make these opening episodes feel more like the show has been around for years.

The combination of impeccable casting, technical excellence and a throwback premise makes The Residence a must-watch for anyone who loves the old-school murder mystery sensibilities of Knives Out — or the genre as a whole. While Cordelia Cupp isn’t solving crimes on the big screen, she’s a formidable enough character that she would fit right in standing next to Benoit Blanc. The potential is there for the character to move on to other stories, and audiences will want more of Aduba as well as her supporting cast. Davies and Rhimes have Netflix’s next hit on their hands with The Residence.

The Residence is now streaming on Netflix.

The Residence

Release Date

March 20, 2024

Network

Netflix

Directors

Liza Johnson

Writers

Paul William Davies

Pros & Cons

• Uzo Aduba creates an immediately memorable main character.
• The supporting cast are also unique and entertaining.
• There’s potential for plenty of other mysteries in the future.

• Eight episodes feels too short for the first season.