The Residence premieres March 20 on Netflix.
By Elazar Abrahams
Netflix’s The Residence aims to deliver a fresh take on the murder mystery genre, setting its intrigue inside the White House with an eccentric detective at the helm. Unfortunately, despite its pedigree as a Shonda Rhimes production and an impressive ensemble cast, the series struggles to land as either a compelling whodunit or an entertaining drama.
The show revolves around a disastrous state dinner that ends with the murder of the White House Chief of Staff. Enter Detective Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), a peculiar investigator assigned to solve the case. The premise has potential, but The Residence quickly gets tangled in its own storytelling, relying heavily on flashbacks presented through a congressional hearing framework. Rather than building suspense, this structure dilutes the momentum, making the mystery feel convoluted rather than gripping.
Aduba is a fantastic actress, but her performance here is an odd mix of her Orange Is the New Black character Crazy Eyes and a hyper-intellectualized Sherlock Holmes. The quirky detective trope can be fun when executed well, but Cupp’s mannerisms and investigative methods come off as more grating than intriguing. It’s hard to take the character seriously, and even harder to become invested in her solving the crime.
The show assembles an impressive cast, including Giancarlo Esposito, Susan Kelechi Watson, and Ken Marino, but they are given little to do. With so many characters and potential suspects, the series struggles to balance its ensemble, leaving most of the supporting performances feeling underdeveloped. Despite the murder occurring in the White House, the show remains oddly apolitical, missing an opportunity to weave in real-world stakes or commentary that could have added more intrigue.
Visually, The Residence at least looks polished, as expected from a Shondaland production. But style can only go so far when the humor falls flat, the mystery lacks tension, and the pacing drags. There’s no spark here, no real hook to keep viewers invested beyond the novelty of the setting.
At its best, The Residence could have been a clever, tightly wound mystery with sharp writing and dynamic character work. Instead, it’s a meandering, lackluster affair that fails to make the most of its concept. A rare misfire for Shondaland, the show never fully finds its footing, making for a frustrating and forgettable watch.
I give The Residence a C-.
TV and City 