In Shondaland‘s latest Netflix series, “The Residence,” created by Paul William Davies and inspired by Kate Andersen Brower’s book “The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House,” viewers get a bird’s eye view (pun intended) of the inner workings of one of America’s most enduring institutions. Every day, hundreds of people labor behind the scenes to ensure everything from major events to the president’s living quarters are seamlessly attended to. A hilarious, eclectic and often bizarre murder mystery, “The Residence” is the closest thing to a comedy that executive producer Shonda Rhimes has ever done. The show is an overwhelming 1000-piece puzzle that eventually comes together should audiences have the patience to stick it out.
The eight-episode murder mystery (critics received seven episodes for review) opens on the night of the Australian State Dinner. Amid strained relations, the new administration led by President Perry Morgan (Paul Fitzgerald) has beckoned the Australian Prime Minster and his advisers to his home with the promise of Hugh Jackman and a performance from Kylie Minogue (who plays herself). White House Chief Usher A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito) glides around the White House in his tux, putting out fires and cultivating a pleasant experience for guests. (The late André Braugher originally starred in the role but could not complete his performance before he died in 2023.) Unfortunately, not all is well. As the evening presses forward, a shrill scream goes thundering across the third floor, and the camera pans to showcase A.B. lying dead in the game room.
From there, the whodunit series flashes forward several months. Newly instated Chief Usher, Jasmine Haney (Susan Kelechi Watson), has been called into a Congressional committee hearing to testify about the night of A.B.’s death. Run by Senator Aaron Filkins — in a jarring piece of stunt casting, the role is played by Al Franken, the real-life former senator who resigned in 2018 following sexual misconduct allegations — and continually interrupted by brash Senator Margery Bay Bix (Eliza Coupe), Jasmine begins discussing all of the misinformation, speculation and confusion swirling since A.B. died. She unpacks what exactly happened in the White House residence during the state dinner and recalls the moment she ascended to the third floor and saw A.B.’s dead body. Jasmine also recounts her introduction to Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), who is widely recognized as the best detective in the world. Cordelia was called to the scene by Metropolitan Police Chief Larry Dokes (Isiah Whitlock Jr.) after A.B.’s body was discovered.
Following Cordelia’s introduction, “The Residence” takes viewers on a dizzying investigation conducted by the detective (an avid and enthusiastic birder) as she questions staff, administration and guests at the state dinner. Clues, facts and statements are analyzed and reenacted. Entire episodes, including Episode 4, “The Last of Sheila,” and Episode 7, “The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb,” center on one or two characters in particular. In the same vein as the “Knives Out” films, this show is subversive and satirical, just managing to keep a nearly unwieldy narrative and a massive cast aligned.
Cordelia herself is wholly eccentric, ignoring guidance from everyone, including the president’s chief adviser, Harry Hollinger (Ken Marino), to the head of the Secret Service, Colin Trask (Dan Perrault) and FBI Special Agent Edwin Park (Randall Park), who attempts to position himself as her right-hand man. Instead, she follows clues that make sense only to her. During several moments mid-investigation, she even pulls out her beloved binoculars to go birding on the White House lawn. As the inquiry into A.B.’s murder expands, the series jumps back and forth in time, with the narrative constantly rehashing and adjusting as Cordelia, Edwin, and the audience learn more about what occurred and all of the moving parts leading to A.B.’s death just months before he was set to retire.
Despite being overrun with characters, details, timelines and story, “The Residence” mostly works. The comedic tone and standouts like Cordelia, the president’s brother, Tripp Morgan (Jason Lee), White House Butler Sheila Cannon (Edwina Findley) and the president’s vodka-loving mother-in-law Nan Cox (Jane Curtain) are a constant reminder that this show is in no way taking itself seriously. Yet, certain aspects could have been trimmed for more condensed viewing, including a flashback to Cordelia’s birding vacation. Other sections are also rather belabored, including President Morgan’s preoccupation with the perfect shower and the constant faux cameos of the fake Hugh Jackman.
As Cordelia narrows in on her suspect, a larger portrait of who A.B. was and how he ran the White House emerges. However, the show is most intriguing when it examines human desires and how people cultivate, leverage and use their interpersonal relationships for personal achievements and to cover up what they would rather stay hidden. Though the tone of “The Residence” isn’t as smooth and satisfying as the Rian Johnson films, there is still much to delight in here.
“The Residence” is now streaming on Netflix.
