Netflix’s 8-Part Murder Mystery Series Is Perfect From Start to Finish

Some shows take time to grow on you or don’t end as well as they began, but a handful of shows manage to live up to all of their potential. Netflix’s The Residence is one of those special series that never disappoints. Not only is the murder mystery genre becoming more popular, but specifically, the murder-mystery comedy is on the rise, thanks to streaming series like Only Murders in the Building or The Afterparty. It shouldn’t be surprising that The Residence is so impressive; after all, as a Shondaland production, it sits in rare company.

However, the 2025 murder mystery series hasn’t received the recognition it deserves for its unique story, which keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until it delivers its final surprise. With only one eight-episode season, The Residence may be short, but it offers plenty of laughs and twists as eccentric detective Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba) uncovers the secrets behind a seemingly unsolvable murder in a limited amount of time, making it a perfect mystery from beginning to end.

What Is ‘The Residence’ About?

The Residence wastes no time in getting to the mystery, starting with a state dinner honoring the Australian Prime Minister, during which the White House’s Chief Usher, A. B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito), is discovered dead. Though the President’s Chief Advisor, Harry Hollinger (Ken Marino), is eager to declare the death a suicide, as the evidence seems to indicate, and avoid a larger scandal, the police bring in their genius consulting detective, Cordelia Cupp, who sees the case differently.

The FBI’s Edwin Park (Randall Park) and Chief of Police Larry Dokes (Isiah Whitlock Jr.) are willing to listen to the renowned detective, allowing her to dive deeper into the mystery. Cupp realizes that Wynter didn’t die in the room where he was discovered, leading her on an investigation throughout the White House, where things are not as simple as they seem.

Through her investigation, Cupp exposes all the strange things going on behind the scenes that evening as she questions the staff, the President’s family, and foreign diplomats alike to trace Wynter’s activity leading up to his murder. The story is told partly by following Cupp and partly via a congressional hearing about the event, where many interruptions pose the very questions building in the audience’s minds. While The Residence takes its time in revealing what exactly happened in the White House that night, it’s undeniable that Cordelia Cupp is the woman for the job.

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‘The Residence’ is now streaming on Netflix.

Netflix’s ‘The Residence’ Thrives with Quirky Characters and Surprising Twists

What works so well about The Residence is that many of the suspects seem guilty. Hollinger wants the investigation wrapped up as soon as possible, while Sheila Cannon (Edwina Findley), a disorderly White House butler, expected Wynter to fire her for getting drunk on the job. With so much to unpack as Cupp’s investigation gradually exposes all the White House’s secrets, the series remains both shocking and thrilling, as any good mystery should.

Though the mystery is intriguing, the highlight of The Residence is the characters, with Cordelia Cupp, in particular, a standout. A skilled detective who rarely feels the need to explain herself, Cupp faces others’ doubts even while she continuously discovers evidence that no one else notices. However, Cupp is more than a crime-solver as she never lets the gravity of the case interfere with her true passion: bird watching.

Though she is the star, Aduba’s Cordelia is not the only one worth watching. The series boasts a list of unique suspects who have their own secrets, from the White House’s temperamental chef to the President’s troubled brother. The shocking mystery is enhanced by the unpredictable characters, making The Residence an incredible ride that all mystery fans should watch. Unfortunately, Netflix’s cancellation of the series means that there won’t be another mystery for Cordelia to solve, but in its first and only season, The Residence keeps the audience guessing with a cast of quirky characters and plenty of twists.

Release Date

2025 – 2025-00-00

Network

Netflix

Writers

Paul William Davies

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