The Residence

132 rooms. 157 suspects. One dead body. One wildly eccentric detective. One disastrous State Dinner. The Residence is a screwball whodunnit set in the upstairs, downstairs, and backstairs of the White House, among the eclectic staff of the world's most famous mansion.

The Residence, Paul William Davies

The Residence (2025) follows Detective Cupp (Uzo Aduba) as she investigates the death of the White House’s chief usher during the annual state dinner, with the staff as the primary suspects. The series succeeds in making a murder mystery both thrilling and entertaining by blending Cupp’s quirky personality with sharp intelligence, supported by a strong cast.

The show’s wide camera work and stunning set design make its version of the White House truly unforgettable—it’s now the image we’ll imagine when picturing the real thing. This visual adds depth to the story, with the setting almost becoming a character in itself. True to Shonda’s style, the entire season drops at once — perfect for a binge. The Residence is witty, well-paced, and leaves viewers eagerly awaiting a second season of detective brilliance.

★ ★ ★ ★

Release Date: 20 March 2025
Director(s) Liza Johnson, Jaffar Mahmood
Written Paul Davies
Producer Marie Balducchi
Starring Uzo Aduba, Giancarlo Esposito, Susan Kelechi Watson, Randall Park
Cinematography Peter Deming, Paula Huidobro
Runtime: 50 minutes.