# **Netflix’s *The Residence*: A Shondaland Whodunit with a Political Spin**
Shonda Rhimes strikes again. The genius behind *Bridgerton*, *Scandal*, and *How to Get Away with Murder* returns with a fresh Netflix series that aims to deliver a perfect mix of glamour, humor, and pure mayhem. Picture a mashup of *West Wing* and *Knives Out*, all wrapped in classic Shondaland romantic tension. The outcome? *The Residence*, a zany murder mystery unfolding within America’s most iconic home—the White House.
## **A Murder Mystery Within the White House**
Drawing inspiration from Kate Andersen Brower’s book *The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House*, this new Netflix drama fuses political intrigue with a classic locked-room enigma. The setup? A corpse is found during a prominent state dinner, throwing the residence staff and Washington’s elite into confusion.
Enter Cordelia Cupp (portrayed by Uzo Aduba), an offbeat detective skilled at solving seemingly impossible mysteries and delivering sharp quips. As she delves deeper, she teams up with the doubting FBI special agent Edwin Park (Randall Park) to unravel a tangled mess of secrets, deceptions, and covert motives.
## **An Unconventional Take on the White House**
Unlike typical political dramas that zero in on the high-stakes maneuvering of presidents and their teams, *The Residence* shifts focus to those who truly keep 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue running—the butlers, chefs, florists, and housekeepers who observe (and understand) everything that transpires. It offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the White House, but with an electrifying twist: A murderer lurks amongst them.
“*The Residence* is genuinely a blend of many elements,” states showrunner Paul William Davies, a former writer for *Scandal*. “It’s humorous, it’s filled with suspense, it’s intelligent, it has moments of sheer farce, and it delivers authentic romance at times.”
## **An Ensemble Cast and Compelling Narrative**
Netflix entices audiences with a captivating introduction:
> “132 rooms. 157 suspects. One dead body. One wildly quirky detective.”
The victim? A.B. Wynter (played by Giancarlo Esposito), the chief usher of the White House. With an array of suspects, the series assures numerous deliciously dramatic twists, unforeseen partnerships, and, naturally, some swoon-worthy love stories—because, after all, this is Shondaland.
## **Reasons to Watch *The Residence***
Blending mystery, comedy, and high-stakes storytelling, *The Residence* is poised to become one of Netflix’s most essential series this year. Fans of *Knives Out*, *Scandal*, and *Murder Mystery* will undoubtedly find much to enjoy in this chic whodunit.
Mark your calendars for the premiere on **March 20**, and brace yourself for an exhilarating journey through the realms of power, scandal, and murder.
Catch the official trailer here:
