Whodunit at the White House: ’The Residence’ On Netflix Stands Out With Its Ability to Balance Drama With Humor

Netflix’s “The Residence,” the latest mystery drama from Shondaland, pulls viewers into the White House’s secretive, high-stakes world with a compelling whodunit that blends politics, drama, and quirky investigation. 

At the heart of it all is Cordelia Cupp, a consultant detective with the Metropolitan Police Department, whose daunting presence, idiosyncratic mannerisms, taste for canned mackerel, and unconventional investigative methods set her apart from the usual array of TV detectives. 

Played brilliantly by Uzo Aduba (known for “Orange is the New Black,” “Mrs. America,” “Painkiller,” “Candy Jar,” and “Beats”), Cupp’s eccentricities elevate the series into something far more than a traditional mystery show.

Cordelia Cupp is no ordinary investigator—she’s a birder. At first, this may seem like a quirky personal hobby, but for Cupp, birdwatching serves as the perfect metaphor for her investigative style. She’s a patient observer, keenly aware of the smallest movements, shifts, and cues that others might miss. 

Much like a humble wren that stacks up 60,000 seeds and can remember where to reclaim them in winter to survive, Cupp relies on deep memory and perceptiveness to connect seemingly insignificant details. She shares with the FBI agent, the perpetually confused Edwin Park (Randall Park), the characteristics of a falcon, which swoops down on prey that’s naive, compromised, or unaware. 

But she insists that he remains in the room with her and suggests that “he does not ask any questions.” She compares the first husband to a Malaysian rail babbler, noting the pattern on the wallpaper. 

Cupp likens herself to a mockingbird, patiently honing in on her prey, waiting for the moment when it makes a mistake—when it “blinks.” As she rounds up the suspects, including the enigmatic “third man” Mr. D, Cupp doesn’t yet know who the murderer is.

Instead, she trusts that by carefully observing and allowing the perpetrator to reveal themselves through a simple action—blinking—she will have her answer. It’s this intense focus and the ability to use all her senses that makes her such a compelling and distinctive sleuth.

Her birdwatching skills aren’t just metaphorical; they’re deeply tied to her psyche, as she reflects on a childhood incident involving a missing strawberry sock, which she shares with her nephew. 

Cupp’s powers of observation are key in piecing together the puzzle of a murder that occurs during a state dinner at the White House with an Australian delegation. While other characters are distracted by the political spectacle, the celebrity guests, and interpersonal drama, Cupp sees things that others overlook. 

She’s the one who notices how paintings have been shifted between rooms—from the Red Room to the Green Room to the Yellow Oval Room—and how a clock is missing. A new wall has appeared where a passage mysteriously opened. 

The character of Senator Aaron Filkins (played by Al Franken) brings an air of authenticity to the proceedings.

These seemingly obtuse observations allow her to connect dots that others simply can’t. The meticulous attention to detail, reminiscent of the sharp instincts she learned from birding, is what ultimately leads her to the truth.

The cast of “The Residence” is colorful, filled with fascinating and often eccentric characters. From the President’s brother, Tracy Morgan (Jason Lee), who wanders the halls in robes sans slippers and has a magpie’s purloining instinct (pens, salt shakers, pillows, a bust of Abraham Lincoln), to the butler who steals liquor as she serves and smokes incessantly, to the Norwegian pastry chef who wields a sharp knife, to a calligrapher having a “very bad day,” and the Australian guests (including two gatecrashers)—every character has their agenda and quirks. 

The show’s mystery isn’t just about uncovering the identity of the murderer—it’s also about peeling back the layers of these intriguing individuals. Deciphering who would benefit the most from getting Chief White House Usher A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito, best known for playing Moff Gideon in “The Mandalorian”) out of the way becomes a central focus. 

The White House staff is a complex web of personalities, each with their secrets, and the murder investigation serves as a catalyst for uncovering these truths. One particularly menacing character is the chef from Portland, who, in a moment of anger, threatens to kill A.B. 

No one goes to the library, and yet it’s there that the most integral clue lies—a cryptic message that helps crack the case wide open. A unique element of the show is its seamless integration of political commentary. 

The character of Senator Aaron Filkins (played by Al Franken) brings an air of authenticity to the proceedings, but it’s his clashes with the fiery, outspoken Senator Margery Bay Bix (Eliza Coupe)—who bears a striking resemblance to a contemporary senator—that injects the series with a tense political undercurrent. 

Bix, ever the antagonist, accuses President Morgan’s administration of covering up the murder, leading to heated exchanges during congressional hearings. This political drama is just as captivating as the murder mystery.

But perhaps what makes “The Residence” truly stand out is its ability to balance drama with humor. Amid the tension and high stakes, Cordelia’s deadpan expression and the rivalries in the White House provide much-needed levity. 

There’s an almost whimsical quality to the show, despite the dark mystery at its core. The final five minutes of the show are some of the most satisfying, as Cordelia Cupp takes a brief moment to stop and inform the First Gentleman’s mother that the investigation is complete. She simply says, “You could have asked me.” It’s a moment of dry humor that sums up her character—painstakingly patient, stubborn to a fault but human, and never one to make a grand spectacle. 

“The Residence” succeeds not only as an “old-school” Agatha Christie-like murder mystery but also for its eccentric and unforgettable protagonist. Cordelia Cupp’s birdwatching hobby and her ability to read people with the precision of a trained observer make her an extraordinary detective. I would love to see her back at work. Whether you’re drawn to the mystery, the ensemble of characters, or the sharp political commentary, “The Residence” offers a smorgasbord of mysterious clues.

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With one foot in Huntsville, Alabama, the other in her birth home, India, and a heart steeped in humanity, Monita Soni writes as a contemplative practice. She has published hundreds of poems, movie reviews, book critiques, and essays, and contributed to combined literary works. Her two books are My Light Reflections and Flow through My Heart. You can hear her commentaries on Sundial Writers Corner, WLRH 89.3FM.