Need a new show to dive into? Netflix just dropped something that might be right up your alley: The Residence . Imagine a classic whodunnit but set in the most famous house in America the White House. Sounds kinda wild right? Well it is! This show is a mix of mystery comedy and a whole lot of quirky characters and it is ready to be your next binge-watch obsession.
White House Lockdown! What's the Deal with 'The Residence' Mystery?
So here's the setup: A state dinner at the White House is in full swing trying to smooth things over with Australia. Fancy right? But then BAM the White House chief usher A.B. Wynter played by Giancarlo Esposito turns up dead upstairs in the game room. Awkward timing much?
Enter Cordelia Cupp played by the amazing Uzo Aduba (you might know her as Crazy Eyes from Orange is the New Black). Cordelia is not your average detective. She is brilliant eccentric loves birdwatching and has a knack for canned sardines. She gets called in to solve the case and things get crazy fast. Everyone becomes a suspect. Literally everyone from the President's advisors to the pastry chef and even Kylie Minogue who's there to perform gets caught up in this mess. Yep Kylie Minogue the pop star is in this show.
Cordelia and her reluctant partner FBI agent Edwin Park played by Randall Park have to navigate over 130 rooms and more suspects than you can count to crack this case before it becomes a massive international scandal. Think Agatha Christie meets Scandal with a dash of pure comedic chaos.
Meet Cordelia Cupp: Netflix's New Favorite Eccentric Detective (Played by Uzo Aduba!)
Let's be real the real star of The Residence is Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp. This character is something else. She's super smart notices every tiny detail and is not afraid to call out anyone no matter how important they are even the President's best buddy. She's got this Sherlock Holmes vibe going on but with her own unique quirks like her birdwatching obsession and love for sardines.
Aduba is fantastic in this role. She brings so much humor and energy to Cordelia making her both hilarious and totally believable as this super-sleuth. The show really lets Aduba shine and it is a joy to watch her work her magic. And get this her look is even inspired by Sherlock Holmes complete with a cool cape-like jacket. Costume designer Lyn Paolo really nailed it.
Cordelia even gets her own Watson in FBI agent Edwin Park played by Randall Park. Their dynamic is gold. Edwin is more by-the-book and Cordelia is well not so much. But they make a great team as they try to solve this wild White House mystery. Randall Park even jokes that Cordelia is probably a better detective than Sherlock himself. High praise!
A Wildly Funny Cast of Suspects: Who's Who in 'The Residence'?
The Residence is packed with a huge ensemble cast and each character is more quirky than the last. You have got Ken Marino as the President's advisor who's maybe a little too eager to declare it a suicide. Edwina Findley is hilarious as the constantly tipsy butler. Bronson Pinchot plays a super dramatic pastry chef who might have a motive. And Jane Curtin is the vodka-loving mother-in-law who stumbles upon the body. Seriously the character list goes on and on.
Here's a quick rundown of some of the key players you'll meet in The Residence:
- Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp (The Detective)
- Randall Park as Edwin Park (The FBI Agent)
- Giancarlo Esposito as A.B. Wynter (The Victim)
- Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger (Presidential Advisor)
- Edwina Findley as Sheila Cannon (The Butler)
- Bronson Pinchot as Didier (The Pastry Chef)
- Jane Curtin as Nan Cox (The Mother-in-Law)
- Paul Fitzgerald as President Perry Morgan (The President)
- Barrett Foa as Elliot (The First Gentleman)
- Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine Haney (Assistant Usher)
- Mary Wiseman as Marvella (The Chef)
- Molly Griggs as (The Social Secretary)
- Jason Lee as Tripp (The President's Brother)
- Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Larry Dokes (Police Chief)
- Eliza Coupe as Senator Bix (Conspiracy Senator)
- Al Franken as Senator Filkins (Hearing Chairman)
- Kylie Minogue as Herself (The Performer)
With a cast this big you know there's going to be some serious comedic talent and plenty of potential red herrings to keep you guessing.
Is 'The Residence' Worth Your Binge Time? Review Roundup
So is The Residence actually good? Reviews are a bit mixed but leaning towards fun entertainment. Critics are calling it a "joyful murder mystery" and "gorgeous gleeful escapism". It’s definitely described as binge-worthy and "moreish" meaning you might just end up watching the whole thing in one go.
The show is praised for its humor its fast-paced energy and especially Uzo Aduba's performance . It's not trying to be super deep or change the world. It's pure entertainment a "screwball whodunnit" that's meant to be a fun escape. If you are looking for something light witty and mysterious to watch then The Residence could be perfect. Just be ready for a lot of characters and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. And maybe grab some sardines to snack on while you watch just to get into the Cordelia Cupp spirit.