Shonda Rhimes’ ‘The Residence’ brings murder to the White House
Shonda Rhimes’ ‘The Residence’ brings murder to the White House
Uzo Aduba stars as an eccentric investigator navigating secrets, scandals, and 157 suspects.
I love comedy murder mystery TV shows — in fact, I made a list of my favorites you can check out here. Now, Netflix is throwing another hat into the ring by bringing a screwball murder mystery with a presidential twist to its new limited series “The Residence,” premiering Thursday, March 20. From Shonda Rhimes’ production company, the show stars Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, a sharp-witted (if eccentric) detective navigating a murder investigation inside the White House. Based on Kate Andersen Brower’s book, the series pulls back the curtain on the inner workings of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, mixing scandal, secrets, and high-stakes intrigue involving 157 suspects and one dead body. With an all-star cast and a juicy whodunnit premise, this one will be a binge-worthy ride. Here’s everything you need to know about “The Residence.”
Everything you need to know about ‘The Residence’:
What is ‘The Residence’ about?
“The Residence” is an eight-episode, comedic whodunit Netflix series that puts a fresh spin on the murder mystery genre by setting it inside the White House. When a state dinner goes horribly wrong, and someone ends up dead, Detective Cordelia Cupp (played by Uzo Aduba) steps in to crack the case. But solving this mystery won’t be easy with a massive residence, a staff full of secrets, and more suspects than she can count. The show blends suspense, witty dialogue, and a little dark humor, making it feel like a mix of classic whodunnits and the signature drama we’ve come to love in every Shonda Rhimes production.
Unlike political thrillers that focus on world leaders, “The Residence” shifts the spotlight to the people who actually keep the White House running: its staff. Created by former “Scandal” writer and producer Paul William Davies and based on the nonfiction book “The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House” by Kate Andersen Brower, the series dives into the lives of the chefs, butlers, and aides who have front-row seats to history. But in this version, they’re not just working behind the scenes - they’re at the center of a high-stakes murder investigation.
Since this is a Shondaland production, with Shonda Rhimes as an executive producer, expect twists, fast-paced storytelling, and quirky, complex characters. The cast is stacked, too, featuring names like Giancarlo Esposito, Susan Kelechi Watson, and Randall Park, all bringing their own brand of charisma to the mystery. Whether you’re a fan of “Scandal” or just love a good whodunnit, mark your calendar - March 20 is when the investigation begins.
The Residence
A brilliant, eccentric detective must solve a murder in the White House residence — where the staff and guests at a state dinner are all suspects.
Watch a trailer for ‘The Residence’
What time will episodes of ‘The Residence’ come on Netflix?
“The Residence” is set to premiere on Netflix on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 3 a.m. ET. All eight episodes of this limited series murder mystery will be available for streaming on that date, so you don’t have to worry about waiting weekly for more eps – binge away!
Netflix
Netflix is a leading subscription-based video streaming service that offers on-demand access to an extensive library of over 3,000 movies, 2,000+ TV shows, and a growing collection of acclaimed Netflix originals. Renowned for producing groundbreaking content, Netflix has become a cultural powerhouse with hit originals like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Squid Game,” “The Crown,” “Tiger King,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Black Mirror.”
Who are the main characters of ‘The Residence’?
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Cordelia Cupp: Uzo Aduba plays Cordelia, a brilliant and unconventional consulting detective for the Metropolitan Police Department. She’s sharp, endlessly curious, and has a dry sense of humor that keeps people on their toes. Known for her obsessive attention to detail and love of birdwatching, she’s the last person you want investigating your secrets - but exactly the kind of detective you want solving a murder.
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Edwin Park: Randall Park takes on the role of Special Agent Edwin Park, an FBI agent assigned to work alongside Cordelia the night of the state dinner. Unlike Cordelia, Edwin is by-the-book and skeptical of her unorthodox methods. If she’s Sherlock, he’s Watson - reluctantly along for the ride as she unravels the White House mystery.
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A.B. Wynter: Giancarlo Esposito plays A.B., the White House chief usher who runs the residence like a well-oiled machine. He’s seen it all and knows every corner of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue better than anyone. But with a murder on his hands, he’ll have to keep the household in order while navigating a rapidly unraveling scandal.
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Tripp Morgan: Jason Lee plays Tripp, the President’s younger brother. He’s charming but a bit of a mess, constantly getting into trouble and living in the shadow of his powerful brother.
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Harry Hollinger: Ken Marino plays Harry, the President’s closest advisor and longtime friend. He’s deeply loyal and fiercely protective of the administration, but whether that means he’s hiding something remains to be seen.
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Lilly Schumacher: Molly Griggs plays Lilly, the President’s social secretary. She’s in charge of making sure the White House events go off without a hitch - but when the night takes a deadly turn, she finds herself in uncharted territory.
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Sheila Cannon: Edwina Findley takes on the role of Sheila, a dedicated White House butler. Her intimate knowledge of the residence’s daily operations means she’s integral to the mystery.
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Colin Trask: Dan Perrault plays Colin, the head of the Presidential Detail for the Secret Service. With a murder inside the White House, all eyes are on him to figure out how such a massive security failure happened.
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Jasmine Haney: Susan Kelechi Watson plays Jasmine, a rising star in the White House staff as an assistant usher. She’s ambitious, hardworking, and caught in the middle of the mansion’s murder.
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Nan Cox: Jane Curtin plays Nan, the President’s mother-in-law. She’s got sharp opinions and a front-row seat to the night’s disaster.
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President Perry Morgan: Paul Fitzgerald plays the President himself. As the leader of the free world, he’s got enough on his plate without a murder inside his own home.
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Kylie Minogue: The pop icon plays herself, making a guest appearance that’s bound to add some extra intrigue to the chaos.
Is ‘The Residence’ based on a book?
Yes, “The Residence” is inspired by the nonfiction book “The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House” by Kate Andersen Brower. Instead of focusing on politics or presidents, the book dives into the daily lives of the people who actually run the White House - the ushers, butlers, chefs, and other residence staff who have been behind the scenes of some of the most pivotal moments in history. Through interviews and firsthand accounts, the book pulls you into the hidden world of the White House, showing how these employees manage their unique roles while witnessing history unfold around them.
While the show borrows its setting and behind-the-scenes focus from the book, it takes a completely fictional approach by introducing a murder mystery into the mix. In “The Residence,” a state dinner turns deadly, and the White House staff suddenly find themselves under investigation. Detective Cordelia Cupp, played by Uzo Aduba, is brought in to solve the case, uncovering a web of secrets in the process. By blending real-life details from the book with an original whodunnit storyline, the series turns the history-packed setting of “The Residence” into the perfect backdrop for a high-stakes mystery.