Netflix has dropped the first teaser for The Residence, Shondaland’s latest series that blends comedy, mystery, and political intrigue in a high-stakes murder investigation inside the White House. Starring Uzo Aduba and Randall Park, the upcoming eight-episode series is set to premiere on March 20, 2025.
Aduba stars as Cordelia Cupp, a no-nonsense consulting detective for the Metropolitan Police Department, tasked with unraveling a murder that unfolds during a disastrous State Dinner. The teaser, released Thursday, introduces audiences to Cupp’s sharp wit and determination. “Mr. President, this house needs to be treated like a crime scene,” she declares. “There’s a dead body on the third floor of the White House… There’s a murderer out there.”
Created by Scandal and For the People writer Paul William Davies, The Residence takes inspiration from Kate Andersen Brower’s nonfiction book The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House. However, the series adds a fictionalized spin, transforming the behind-the-scenes staff of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue into suspects in a classic whodunit. With 132 rooms, 157 suspects, and one dead body, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The ensemble cast features:
- Randall Park as FBI Special Agent Edwin Park, assigned to work alongside Detective Cupp.
- Giancarlo Esposito as A.B. Wynter, the White House Chief Usher.
- Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine Haney, a rising White House Assistant Usher.
- Jane Curtin as Nan Cox, the First Mother-in-Law.
- Jason Lee as Tripp Morgan, the President’s younger brother.
- Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger, the President’s closest advisor.
- Al Mitchell as Rollie Bridgewater, Head Butler/Maître d’.
- Edwina Findley as Sheila Cannon, a White House Butler.
- Kylie Minogue appearing as herself.
- Juliette Jeffers as Angie Huggins, White House Painter
- Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Larry Dokes, Chief of Police, Metropolitan Police Department
Additional cast members include Julian McMahon, Molly Griggs, Bronson Pinchot, Mary Wiseman, Andrew Friedman, Al Franken, Spencer Garrett, Dan Perrault, Sumalee Montano, Paul Fitzgerald, Nathan Lovejoy, Rebecca Field, Eliza Coupe, Brett Tucker, Chris Grace, Mel Rodriguez, James Babson, Izzy Diaz, Taran Killam, Julieth Restrepo, and Ros Gentle.
Paul William Davies, known for his work on Scandal and For the People, serves as the creator and showrunner. Drawing inspiration from classic films like Charade, Davies aims to balance theatricality with a beloved genre, offering a playful yet intricate story that delves into the backstage workings of one of the world’s most iconic buildings.
Costume designer Lyn Paolo collaborated with Davies to craft Cordelia Cupp’s distinctive look, blending elements of classic detective style with a modern edge.
With Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers as executive producers, The Residence marks another ambitious addition to Shondaland’s portfolio. The show’s mix of suspense, comedy, and rich character development is poised to resonate with audiences seeking something fresh yet familiar.
Prepare to uncover the secrets of the White House when all episodes of The Residence debut on March 20, 2025. Shondaland’s latest venture invites viewers into a world where every room holds a clue and every character has a motive. Let the investigation begin.