Imagine Clue redecorated in gold and grift, and set inside the White House—and you’ve got The Residence. Binge‑worthy, witty, and sprinkled with comedic genius (thanks, Uzo Aduba), it’s the light‑hearted mystery you didn’t know your weekend needed—until now.
Why The Residence Hooked Me
There are murder mysteries, and then there’s The Residence—where every suspect looks like they’re auditioning for a reality‑TV meltdown. Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), our bird‑obsessed detective slash weirdly charming Sherlock clone, solves the murder by staring in total silence until people confess all their secrets. It’s hilarious and oddly mesmerizing.
She’s paired with FBI agent Edwin (Randall Park), who’s as helpful as a sock puppet in a thunderstorm—but wildly entertaining. Together, they bumble through hidden staircases, political cover-ups, and enough quirky suspects to fill an entire clue board and then some.
The Whodunnit Vibes Are Off the Charts
From the second a body drops in the East Wing (yes, that East Wing), it’s clear this isn’t your average procedural. Every staffer is acting suspicious, no one seems to be telling the truth, and someone may or may not have used a taxidermy owl as a murder prop. OK, not really—but it wouldn’t feel out of place.
What follows is a tangled web of flashbacks, secret affairs, unhinged monologues, and enough red herrings to open a seafood shack. And it’s all somehow… fun? Like, legitimately fun.
Uzo Aduba herself had no clue who the killer was until reading the final script—so yes, the curveball landing truly stunned even the cast.
Why Cordelia Cupp is the Character We Didn’t Know We Needed
- She doesn’t ask questions—she waits. Suspects unravel just to fill the silence. It’s psychological warfare with a therapist’s smirk..
- She’s bird-obsessed. Not metaphorically. She literally references avian behavior in her deductions. Peak weird. Peak genius.
- She’s quirky without being a caricature. You root for her because she’s not trying to be cool. She’s just… Cordelia.
Iconic Imperfection
Yes, the show sometimes indulges itself with too many flashbacks and a slightly bloated cast of characters. But it makes up for it in sheer charm. The writing is sharp, the humor lands, and the White House never looked more chaotic (or fun).
Plus, the supporting cast chews scenery like it’s their last meal—and we love them for it.
What About Season 2?
Creator Paul William Davies was ready to give Cordelia Cupp more crimes to solve. But Netflix (BOO Netflix!) canceled the show in July 2025 after just one season. Which feels criminal, honestly. The show did not get nearly enough exposure.
Final Bytes
If you’re into murder‑mysteries with flavor—flawed heroes, ridiculous suspects, lots of conspiracy intrigue—and you don’t mind a few explanatory loops, The Residence is bingeable perfection. Uzo Aduba shines as Cordelia Cupp, and the interplay with Randall Park delivers comic relief without ever undermining the mystery.
Add it to your next binge if you crave elegant absurdity and a detective who solves cases by just breathing on you.
I write like I think—fast, curious, and a little feral. I chase the weird, the witty, and the why-is-this-happening-now. From AI meltdowns to fashion glow-ups, if it makes you raise an eyebrow or rethink your algorithm, I’m probably writing about it. Expect sharp takes, occasional sarcasm, and zero tolerance for boring content.
