(L to r) Isiah whitlock jr. As Larry Dokes, Dan Perrault as Colin Trassk, Spender Garrett as Wally GLICK, Uzo Aduba as Cordelia CUPP, Randall Park as Edwin Park, Andrew Friedman as Irv Samuelson, Ken Marino as Hariry Hollinger, Molly Griggs as Lilly Schumacher in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Erin Simkin/Netflix © 2024.
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‘The Residence’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.
Arriving on Netflix On March 20th, ‘The ResidenceSees Prolific TV Power Producer Shonda rhimes And her shondaland company looking to give the streaming service its own take on ‘Only murders in the building,
But is there Room for more than a couple of shows that Blend Murder Mystery and Comedy? That’s the case to unpack here.
Related Article: Emmy Nominee John Hoffman Talks ‘Only Murders in the Building’
Is ‘the Residence’ a Compeling Mystery?
(L to r) Uzo aduba as cordelia cupp, giancarlo esposito as ab wyner, Susan kelechi watson as jasmine hanyy, ken marino as harry hollinger, isa whitocke jr. As larry dokes in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.
With its unusual Central Sleuth, A Lot of Frustrated Potential Suspects and A (Mostly) One-Location Setting, this new series stil manages to avoid coming out a bad copy of the ‘only Murdars’ forms.
Here, Creator/Showrunner paul william davies (no strangers to white house affairs after working on rhimes-bidding crisis management thriller series’Scandal‘) Mixes a crafty, funny mix of his own personal favorite mystery writers (the episode titles all nod to classic mystery books or movies) with the intriguing inner works of the Most Fams of the Most Fams America, Since He Also Drew from Kate Andersen Brower’s Book ‘The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House.’
It’s a combo that works really well–the scurrilous world of behind-the-thirds drama during a state dinner for Australia is a fantastic backdrop for a Teasing Conanderum.
Script and direction
(Right) Uzo Aduba as cordelia cupp in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.
The key to any good mystery – wheether it’s supposed to be funny or not – is a carefully constructed script with enough read herrings to throw you off the Scent of the Final Trust of the heart of the matter.
Here, williams and his writing staff concocked the twisted story of white houseGiancarlo esposito), who rules efficiently and smoothly, but can’t abide personal drama. When he shows up dead on an upper floor of the residence at the white with, some within the building was written off as a suicide, whose other others are convincted it was murder.
Naturally, that calls for a detective to be brought in, and ‘The Residence’s Creative Team Have Made One for the ages in Uzo Aduba‘S cordelia cupp, a dedicated ornithologist who just so happens to have a genius brain for ferretting out the answers to mysteries.
(L to r) Uzo aduba as cordelia cupp, jason lee as tripp morgan, molly griggs as lilly schumacher in ‘the residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.
But it’s not just the cordelia cupp show, the scripts weave and wander around the Residence, Replaying Moments in Time from Different Angles and Creating A Solid Group of Characters to Tall the Story. And while a lot of the series take place with the title location, there is also a hearing happening to break things up.
Directorally, Liza johnson Her Team Bring an interesting style to the show, which sweeps through a version of the white house, and perfectly complexes the story.
Cast and performances
(L to r) Uzo aduba as cordelia cupp, randall park as edwin park in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Erin Simkin/Netflix © 2024.
Uzo aduba is delightful as cordelia cupp, a consulting detective in the sherlock holmes mold, who is brough in by befuddled authorities to crack the car.
Aduba is a natural at this sort of quirky comedy, and the character she brings to life is effortlessly entertaining, whisther she’s interrogating suspects, confounging themsaelves Superior to her or tracking down a rare bird she wants to cross off her spotting list.
Her Mismatched Buddy Comedy Chemistry With Randall Park‘S FBI Agent Edwin Park is one of the best elements of the series – – they’re on the same mission, but they rarely agre on how to go about it, and park’s deadpan energy Syncs Well with Aduba’
Giancarlo esposito faced his own challenge coming Andre braugherWhile Braugher Had Briefly Played The Part Before The 2023 WGA Strike Shut Down Production, He died Before Filming Cold Resume, Leading to Esposito (Who, Coincidentally, Replaced Him Years ago on ‘Homicide: Life on the street‘Before they co-starred in the following-up TV movie to the show) Stepping in.
Giancarlo Esposito as Ab Wyner in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.
Wyner might seem like a character esposito has become very knowledge for playing – – icy, analytical and quietly arrogant, but he provides to be a refreshing change from If his death kicks off the central mystery).
Of the considerable supporting cast, highlights include Al frankenPlaying the Senator Leading The Hearing Into The Investigation, The Ever-Reliable Eliza coupe Who Steals Scenes as Senator Bix, Who is Eager to Get to the Truth of the Matter, and Mel rodriguezPlaying Bruce Geller, The Chief Engineer who has no great love for wyner, but does fall for another member of the househld staff.
Jason lee is good value as trip morgan, the president’s scruffy, lazy, salt-obsessed and light-fingred brother, bringing just the right level of sibling rivalry to the show, with Jane curtin Makes a meal of the role as the president’s mother-in-law who loves a drink, but hams noise.
Oh, and kudos to pop legend Kylie minogue For being so game to make fun of herpelf in a couple of episodes.
Final Thoughts
(L to r) Susan kelechi watson as jasmine haneyy, uzo aduba as cordelia cupp, ken marino as harry hollinger in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.
With Its Quirky Score and Offbeat Central Figure, You could effectively call this ‘only murders in the eisenhower executive office building’ (Yes, Yes, Y KNOW… The Residence IS Part of the Residence of the Residence Proper, just go with it.)
This latest shondaland offering has a solid cast, a great mystery and a watchable story that keeps you guessing.
“132 Rooms. 157 suspects. 1 dead body.”
What’s the plot of ‘the residence’?
Set in “UPSSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS, and Backstairs” Of the White House, Cordelia CUPP (Uzo Aduba), An Eccentric Detective, Arrives on the Premies in Order to Solve a MURDER it Dinner. DURING The Investigation, Interpersonal Conflicts Between 157 personnel of the Residence Start to Unfold.
Who Stars in ‘The Residence’?
(L to r) Edwina Findley as Sheila Cannon, Uzo Aduba as cordelia cupp in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.
