Netflix is diving headfirst into the world of political intrigue and homicide with “The Residence,” a gripping new collection from Shondaland, the powerhouse manufacturing firm behind Bridgerton and Scandal. Created by Paul William Davies, this recent tackle the traditional whodunit unfolds in probably the most safe and secretive residence in America—the White Home. With 157 suspects, 132 rooms, and one decided detective, the collection guarantees an exhilarating mix of thriller, drama, and energy dynamics.
The present comes out on March 20, 2025 and stars Uzo Aduba (“Orange Is the New Black”) and a star studded ensemble forged that features Randall Park, Giancarlo Esposito and Al Franken.
A Murder Inside the White House
Set against the grandeur of a lavish State Dinner, the series follows an eccentric detective, Cordelia Cupp, played by the Emmy-winning Uzo Aduba (Orange Is the New Black, Painkiller), as she attempts to crack a case that no one else can. While political thrillers often center on presidents and policymakers, The Residence flips the script by focusing on the White House staff, the unsung individuals who keep the executive mansion running. From butlers and maids to chefs and security personnel, every member of the household is a potential suspect, creating a web of deception and secrets.
Shonda Rhimes’ Signature Storytelling
Shondaland has long been known for its fast-paced, character-driven dramas that blend suspense, romance, and sharp social commentary. The Residence appears to follow in the footsteps of How to Get Away with Murder and Scandal, with a high-stakes mystery woven into the fabric of American political life.
Inspired by Kate Andersen Brower’s best-selling nonfiction book, The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House, the show adds a thrilling fictional twist to the real-life inner workings of the nation’s most famous home. Brower’s book, based on interviews with former staff members, offers a rare glimpse into the private lives of U.S. presidents and their families. This makes The Residence even more fascinating, as it mixes historical inspiration with a modern murder mystery.
A Star-Studded Ensemble
Uzo Aduba leads an impressive cast, joined by Randall Park (Fresh Off the Boat), Susan Kelechi Watson (This Is Us), and Edwina Findley (If Loving You Is Wrong) among others. Given Shondaland’s history of assembling diverse, dynamic ensembles, audiences can expect deeply layered performances and complex character relationships.
Why This Show Stands Out
Unlike traditional crime dramas, The Residence is set within an ultra-exclusive world of politics, wealth, and secrecy—a setting where every action has consequences beyond just solving a murder. The White House itself becomes a character in the story, filled with hidden passageways, century-old traditions, and untold scandals.
Netflix has found massive success with mystery-driven series like The Night Agent and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. With The Residence, the streamer looks to capitalize on the rising popularity of political thrillers infused with murder, suspense, and power plays.
When Does The Residence Premiere?
Netflix has slated The Residence for a 2025 release, and with the teaser already sparking buzz, it’s poised to be one of the year’s most talked-about shows. If you love intricate mysteries, political intrigue, and Shondaland’s signature drama, mark your calendar—this is one you won’t want to miss.
Key Takeaways
- “The Residence” combines a murder mystery with the unique setting of the White House, featuring 157 suspects and an eccentric detective.
- The series stars Uzo Aduba as Cordelia, the detective tasked with solving a murder that occurs during a State Dinner.
- Created by Shondaland for Netflix, the show explores the lives of White House residence staff while unraveling a complex mystery.
Exploring the Premise of Netflix’s ‘The Residence’
Netflix’s new mystery series transforms the White House residence into a murder scene. The show combines political intrigue with classic whodunit elements in a fresh take on the murder mystery genre.
Plot Overview and Setting
“The Residence” centers around a shocking murder that takes place during a high-profile state dinner at the White House. This fictional scandal unfolds across the 132 rooms of the presidential residence, creating a closed-circle mystery with 157 potential suspects. The series is inspired by Kate Andersen Brower’s non-fiction book “The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House,” though it adds a criminal twist to the setting.
The story focuses on what’s described as “the most disastrous state dinner in history” when a body is discovered in the White House. This creates immediate chaos and suspicion among staff members, political figures, and guests who were present.
Key Characters and Roles
At the center of the investigation is Detective Cordelia Cupp, played by Uzo Aduba. She’s described as wry and wildly eccentric, bringing a unique approach to solving the White House murder. Her unconventional methods likely create friction with the administration as she works to identify the killer.
The show also features Giancarlo Esposito in a prominent role, though specific details about his character aren’t fully revealed in the available information.
The series showcases the complex relationship between the White House staff and the First Family, highlighting how their lives intertwine inside this historic residence. This dynamic provides layers to the thriller as private relationships, political tensions, and White Home protocols all issue into the investigation.
Behind the Scenes
Making a homicide thriller set in America’s most well-known residence required cautious consideration to element and a gifted staff. The manufacturing brings viewers into the key world of White House staff whereas telling an intriguing whodunit story.
Inventive Staff and Course
Shonda Rhimes’ manufacturing firm Shondaland teamed up with Netflix to deliver “The Residence” to life. The collection was tailored from Kate Andersen Brower’s non-fiction ebook about White Home workers, however with a fictional homicide thriller overlay.
Paul William Davies serves as showrunner, bringing his expertise from authorized dramas to this political mystery. The artistic imaginative and prescient blends historic accuracy with imaginative storytelling.
Director Stephen Daldry helped set up the present’s visible identification, balancing the grandeur of the White Home setting with intimate character moments. The staff targeted on making a tone that mixes suspense with moments of sudden humor.
Uzo Aduba, who stars as Detective Cordelia, labored intently with the artistic staff to develop her character’s methodology.
Manufacturing and Filming Places
Whereas the actual White Home stays off-limits for tv productions, the staff created detailed replicas of the enduring rooms. Manufacturing designers meticulously researched the precise White Home inside to make sure accuracy.
Filming occurred throughout a number of areas together with sound levels and present authorities buildings that might double as White Home settings. Particular consideration was paid to the workers areas hardly ever seen by the general public.
The costume division confronted the problem of dressing characters in period-appropriate apparel whereas guaranteeing the clothes felt genuine to every character’s function inside the White Home hierarchy.
The manufacturing staff consulted with former White Home workers members to seize sensible behind-the-scenes particulars.
Challenges and Achievements
One of many greatest challenges was balancing historic accuracy with the calls for of an entertaining homicide thriller. The staff labored to make sure the portrayal of White Home operations remained plausible regardless of the fictional storyline.
COVID-19 protocols created extra hurdles throughout manufacturing, requiring artistic options for filming scenes with massive numbers of forged members. Regardless of these challenges, the staff maintained their taking pictures schedule.
The manufacturing achieved a definite visible fashion that units it aside from different political dramas. Slightly than focusing solely on the presidency, the present highlights the often-overlooked workers who hold the White Home working.
Technical improvements allowed the digital camera to maneuver seamlessly via the recreated White Home, giving viewers the sensation of being inside this unique setting.
Steadily Requested Questions
Listed here are solutions to widespread questions on Netflix’s “The Residence” collection. The present brings homicide and thriller to a fictional White Home setting with a gifted forged and distinctive premise.
Who stars within the forged of Netflix’s ‘The Residence’ collection?
Uzo Aduba leads the forged as Cordelia, the character tasked with fixing the homicide thriller that unfolds within the White Home. She seems to be the central investigator on this whodunit story.
The collection options quite a lot of characters representing White Home workers and officers. Whereas full forged particulars are nonetheless rising, the present contains roles portraying a fictional U.S. President and his staff.
The collection comes from producer Shonda Rhimes, recognized for creating compelling ensemble casts in her earlier profitable reveals.
What’s the premise of ‘The Residence’ TV collection on Netflix?
“The Residence” is described as a “screwball whodunit” homicide thriller that takes place inside the White Home. The story unfolds throughout an necessary state dinner occasion.
A assassin is lurking within the halls of the White Home, creating excessive stakes and rigidity. Cordelia, performed by Uzo Aduba, seems to be the first character tasked with fixing the case.
The present explores the “upstairs, downstairs and backstairs” of the White Home, suggesting viewers will see views from numerous ranges of workers and officers because the thriller unfolds.
Is ‘The Residence’ on Netflix primarily based on actual occasions or a ebook?
Whereas “The Residence” takes place within the White Home, it incorporates a fictional U.S. President and workers fairly than portraying actual historic figures or occasions. The homicide thriller plot is fictional.
The present comes from Shonda Rhimes’ manufacturing firm, Shondaland, which frequently creates unique content material for Netflix. The comedic and dramatic components seem like artistic innovations fairly than primarily based on precise White Home incidents.
How can one watch ‘The Residence’ TV collection?
“The Residence” will probably be accessible solely on Netflix. Viewers will want a Netflix subscription to stream the collection.
The precise launch date hasn’t been specified within the search outcomes, however a trailer has been launched, indicating the present is coming quickly to the platform.
What are the principle themes explored in ‘The Residence’ present?
The collection seems to mix homicide thriller with comedy, making a “screwball whodunit” tone. This means a mixture of rigidity and humor all through the storytelling.
Energy dynamics inside the White Home setting appear to be a central theme, with the present exploring totally different ranges of the presidential residence from service workers to high-ranking officers.
The thriller factor drives the plot, with characters working to uncover who dedicated homicide in considered one of America’s most safe and symbolically necessary buildings.
Has a trailer been launched for ‘The Residence’ on Netflix, and the place can or not it’s considered?
Sure, Netflix has launched a trailer for “The Residence.” The trailer reveals the present’s tone as a “fast-paced, comedic homicide thriller” set within the White Home.
The video introduces viewers to the central premise of a assassin within the White Home and reveals Cordelia because the character investigating the crime. The trailer is probably going accessible on Netflix’s official YouTube channel and social media platforms.
