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The murder mystery genre has had a resurgence in recent years. From Knives Out and Only Murders in the Building to The Sheep Detectives and the upcoming Poirot TV series, fans of the genre have had many shows and movies to watch. And Netflix's 8-part Shondaland murder mystery is not only a must-watch, but also the perfect weekend binge.
The Residence is a comedy series and murder mystery produced by Shondaland, Shonda Rhimes' production company known for Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, and Bridgerton. And while it was sadly short-lived, with Netflix sealing its fate as a limited series, it is still one of the best murder mystery series and the best show to binge-watch.
The Residence Follows All the Classic Murder Mystery Tropes
The best murder mysteries are faithful to the genre, following a set of known tropes and beats that make fans of the genre come back for more. Shondaland's The Residence poses a classic locked-room mystery, but with a unique setting: The White House. A member of the White House staff is murdered during a state dinner.
The Netflix show follows a non-linear narrative. Witnesses and detectives recount the events of the state dinner and the subsequent murder investigation at a congressional hearing, with scenes jumping between the hearing and the night of the crime. And at the center of the investigation is the classic eccentric detective. This time, Cordelia Cupp.
Cordelia Cupp is a consultant with the Metropolitan Police Department and is called on to assist with the murder investigation. Most of the story involves the members of the White House staff, from the Chief Usher to the President's social secretary and more. And as Cordelia investigates, secrets, scandals, and lies among the staff surface.
All the elements of a classic whodunit are there: a locked-room mystery, an eccentric detective, a long list of suspects, and many red herrings. Each episode explores a different suspect, what they witnessed, and how it all fits into the events of that night. And the episodes even pay homage to classic murder mysteries with their titles.
The Residence Features a Star-Studded Cast
While the murder mystery elements make the story great, The Residence's star-studded cast makes the show intriguing, compelling, and a lot of fun. Orange Is the New Black's Uzo Aduba stars as Cordelia Cupp, a consultant detective and an avid birder. Randall Park stars as FBI Special Agent Edwin Park, and Isiah Whitlock Jr. is MPD Chief of Police Larry Dokes.
The Residence also stars Giancarlo Esposito as A. B. Wynter, the White House Chief Usher; Molly Griggs as Lilly Schumacher, the President's social secretary; Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger, the President's chief adviser; Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine Haney, a White House Assistant Usher; Edwina Findley as Sheila Cannon, a White House Butler; and Julieth Restrepo as Elsyie Chayle, Housekeeper.
Paul Fitzgerald plays Perry Morgan, the President of the United States, and Jason Lee plays Tripp Morgan, the President's brother. SNL alum Jane Curtin stars as Nan Cox, the eccentric mother-in-law of the President of the United States. Other stars include Al Mitchell, Dan Perrault, Bronson Pinchot, Mel Rodriguez, Mary Wiseman, Taran Killam, and more.
The Residence Takes Inspiration from a Non-Fiction Book
While the source material doesn't include a murder mystery, The Residence draws inspiration from the non-fiction book The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower. The book serves as the source material for the White House staff, their relationships, stories, and motivations, and the "upstairs, downstairs, and backstairs" side of the White House.
The Residence is the perfect blend of comedy, mystery, crime, and character-driven stories. The show is perfect for those who enjoyed murder mystery comedies like Knives Out, The Sheep Detectives, and See How They Run. The Residence is both a tongue-in-cheek and an earnest attempt at a murder mystery, and with only 8 episodes, it's the perfect weekend binge.
