Craving a good laugh with a side of mystery? Netflix has you covered with its new series 'The Residence' ! Imagine 'Clue' but set in the White House with a killer cast. Seriously this show is packed with talent and we're here to give you the lowdown on who's playing who in this comedic whodunit.
Uzo Aduba and Giancarlo Esposito Lead the Charge: Detective Cupp and the Departed Usher
Leading the charge are two powerhouses. Uzo Aduba known for her amazing work in 'Orange is the New Black' takes on the role of Cordelia Cupp. She's the brilliant and maybe slightly quirky detective brought in to solve the mystery. Think sharp wit and even sharper observation skills. Cordelia is not easily intimidated even by the White House itself!
Then we have the fantastic Giancarlo Esposito from 'Breaking Bad' and 'The Mandalorian'. He plays A.B. Wynter the unfortunately deceased head usher. Wynter's sudden demise kicks off the entire story. Esposito brings his signature gravitas to the role even in flashbacks. Let's just say Wynter was a man who knew all the White House secrets and maybe that's why he ended up well... you know.
Suspects Galore: A Star-Studded Ensemble Cast of Potential Culprits
Now for the fun part: the suspects! 'The Residence' boasts a seriously impressive ensemble cast with a ton of familiar faces all playing characters who might just have a motive for bumping off poor Mr. Wynter. Get ready to play detective and see if you can spot the killer amongst this lineup :
- Susan Kelechi Watson (from 'This Is Us') as Jasmine Haney the ambitious assistant usher who was next in line for Wynter's job. Could ambition be a motive?
- Ken Marino (from 'Party Down') as Harry Hollinger the President's top advisor. Think ego and maybe a few secrets to protect.
- Randall Park (from 'Fresh Off the Boat' and 'Ant-Man') as FBI Agent Edwin Park. He's teamed up with Cordelia but is he really just there to help or could he have his own agenda?
- Jason Lee (from 'My Name is Earl') as the President's loathed brother. Family drama in the White House? You bet.
- Bronson Pinchot (from 'Perfect Strangers') as Pastry Chef Didier Gotthard. A temperamental chef with a possible motive? Sounds like a recipe for suspicion.
- Jane Curtin (from 'Saturday Night Live' and '3rd Rock from the Sun') as Nan Cox the President's mother-in-law. Don't underestimate grandma – she might know more than she lets on!
- Molly Griggs as Lilly Schumacher the Social Secretary and Mel Rodriguez as Engineer Bruce Geller also join the ranks of potential wrongdoers in this tangled web.
And that's just scratching the surface! You'll also see familiar faces like Paul Fitzgerald as President Perry Morgan, Barrett Foa as the First Gentleman, and even Kylie Minogue playing herself – because why not?
Character Deep Dive: Getting to Know Cordelia Wynter and a Few Key Players
Let's zoom in on a few of these characters to get a better feel for the White House world of 'The Residence'
- Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba): Our detective extraordinaire Cordelia is not your typical investigator. She's brilliant detail-oriented and has a quirky passion for birdwatching. She's also got a dry wit that's as sharp as her mind. Don't expect melodrama from Cordelia – she's all about facts and figuring things out.
- A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito): The victim himself Wynter was more than just a head usher. He was the glue holding the White House together. Disciplined and professional he ran the presidential residence with military precision. But under that stern exterior who knows what secrets he was hiding?
- Jasmine Haney (Susan Kelechi Watson): Ambitious and efficient Jasmine seems like the perfect White House staffer. But is she a little too eager to take over Wynter's position? Keep an eye on her...
- Harry Hollinger (Ken Marino): The President's advisor Harry is all about power and influence. He's not exactly known for his skills but he knows how to throw his weight around. Could his ambition have led him down a dark path?
- Lilly Schumacher (Molly Griggs): As the Social Secretary Lilly is all about appearances and events. But behind the perfectly planned dinners and parties what is she really up to?
The White House Itself is a Character: Secrets and Suspects Within These Famous Walls
The setting of 'The Residence' is just as important as the cast. The White House isn't just a backdrop it's practically another character in the show. The production team went all out to recreate the iconic mansion from the sweeping staircases to the shadowy corners. They built a massive set that even impressed Giancarlo Esposito who said it deepened his performance to feel like he was in the real deal.
The show even uses "dollhouse shots" to give you a bird's-eye view of the White House layout helping you keep track of all the rooms hallways and secret passageways. Yes secret passageways! Apparently the White House has them and 'The Residence' is going to use them to full effect.
From the grand State Dining Room to the mysterious Game Room and the book-lined Library each location within the White House holds clues and secrets. The White House itself is a maze of power and hidden agendas and this show is ready to explore every corner of it.
Knives Out in the White House? Expect Classic Whodunit Fun with a Shondaland Twist
If you are a fan of Rian Johnson's 'Knives Out' movies you will probably love 'The Residence'. It is definitely got that comedic whodunit vibe with a big ensemble cast lots of red herrings and a detective trying to piece it all together. But being a Shondaland production (from the queen of TV drama Shonda Rhimes) expect a bit of extra flair and maybe a few soapy twists thrown in for good measure.
The show is described as having a "drier sense of humor" than typical Shondaland fare but it is still aiming for laughs alongside the mystery. Get ready for witty banter quirky characters and a mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. Just don't expect any aliens or time travel – this whodunit is keeping things (mostly) grounded in the real world... well as real as a murder mystery in the White House can be.
Ready to Solve the Mystery? Meet the Key Players of 'The Residence' on Netflix:
- Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba): Brilliant and quirky detective brought in to solve the murder.
- A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito): The deceased White House Chief Usher and victim.
- Jasmine Haney (Susan Kelechi Watson): Ambitious Assistant Usher.
- Harry Hollinger (Ken Marino): President's Top Advisor.
- Lilly Schumacher (Molly Griggs): White House Social Secretary.
- Edwin Park (Randall Park): FBI Agent assisting Cordelia.
- Nan Cox (Jane Curtin): President's Mother-in-Law.
- Didier Gotthard (Bronson Pinchot): Temperamental Pastry Chef.
- President Perry Morgan (Paul Fitzgerald): The President of the United States.
So there you have it a sneak peek at the star-studded cast of 'The Residence'. With Uzo Aduba leading the investigation and a house full of suspects this show promises to be a fun and engaging ride. Get ready to tune in to Netflix and see if you can crack the case before Cordelia Cupp does! Who do YOU think did it?