A White House Murder Produces Mayhem and Suspects

These days, sensible people avoid spending any time watching what’s happening in the White House. Yet, this beautiful building is truly the people’s house, not a structure owned by temporary occupants. The Netflix hit, The Residence, reminds us of that fact and allows us to enjoy spending time with a very talented and quirky cast as the world’s best detective, Cordelia Cupp, played by the remarkable Uzo Aduba, uses her skills to find out who killed the White House Chief Usher. 

Kate Andersen Brower’s The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House, “an intimate account of the service staff of the White House, from the Kennedys to the Obamas,” served as the starting point for the production created by Paul William Davies. The White House Chief Usher might be unfamiliar to the average American, but that person, as the head of the household staff and operations, wields enormous power. While the average length of time a chief usher would serve is 10 years, many have served for more than two decades. (Robert B. Downing currently holds the position.) 

(L to R) Giancarlo Esposito as A.B. Wynter, Bronson Pinchot as Didier Gotthard

The Residence is from the Hollywood powerhouse Shonda Rhimes (ShondaLand), whose growing resume includes Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and, of course, The Bridgerton juggernaut. Right from episode one’s first frame, it’s obvious not a dollar was spared to create this faux White House. 

The set, by production designer, François Audouy, required an estimated 150,000 pounds of flooring and 200 doors  – in addition to all the furnishings, artwork, china, and antiques – put together on a sound stage in Los Angeles. Even the wallpaper was made specifically for the series. Kudos to the two cinematographers Peter Deming and Paula Huidobro whose cameras manage to catch all the action within the halls and rooms and often rise above the action for a bird’s eye view of the floors. 

Birds figure prominently in this series since Detective Cupp is an experienced birdwatcher, often comparing suspects to some of her favorite winged creatures, particularly ones that remain elusive. Cupp is relentless, always solving the mystery and traveling to remote areas to find birds sought after by birders. 

The beloved Andre Braugher was originally cast as A.B. Wynter, the White House Chief Usher. He died on December 11, 2023, from lung cancer. (There’s a tribute to him at the end of the last episode.) Giancarlo Esposito had big shoes to fill when he replaced Braugher, and he does an admirable job. 

(L to R) Mary Wiseman as Marvella, Barrett Foa as Elliot Morgan, Paul Fitzgerald as President Perry Morgan

The Chief Usher’s duties require a bucketful of skills. He has to be on top of what’s happening, day to day and on special occasions. He has to be the conduit between the house staff and the administration’s staff, two groups often at odds. And he has to  discipline with an iron fist in a velvet glove, being firm, but never crossing a line.

Wynter is terrific at his job but even he can’t please everyone, something that’s obvious when his body is found in the game room in the middle of a State Dinner with the Australians. Every federal law enforcement agency wants to get involved in solving the murder. But because the crime happened in D.C., Metropolitan Police Department Chief Larry Dokes (Isiah Whitlock, Jr.) asserts jurisdiction and brings in Detective Cupp to investigate. 

Cupp’s reputation precedes her, particularly among the Aussies who remember that she once solved an unsolvable crime Down Under. The Americans, particularly the feds and those who work in the administration, not so much. Her demeanor – often breaking away with her binoculars to search for birds – causes many to underestimate her. But she has an iron-clad memory and her questioning, while unconventional, manages to uncover details others have overlooked.

Al Franken as Senator Aaron Filkins

What’s happening at the White House is balanced by what’s happening on Capitol Hill where Washington State’s Senator Aaron Filkins (Al Franken) is holding a hearing looking into Wynter’s murder which, based on the testimony being given, still has not been solved. Challenging Filkins is Colorado’s Senator Eliza Coupe (Margery Bay Bix) doing a pretty good imitation of the other Margery – Taylor Greene. Indeed, when the powers above insist on calling the murder a suicide, Cupp goes off to the jungle to look for an elusive bird. When FBI Special Agent Edwin Park (Randall Park), who began the investigation with Cupp, convinces her to come back, she does. This time around, she will get to the bottom of the crime.

Jane Curtin as Nan Cox

Suspects are plentiful since many of them had experienced run ins with A.B. before and during the State Dinner. The Executive Pastry Chef Didier Gotthard (Bronson Pinchot) is upset because his Christmas ginger bread house was moved to the less popular China Room from the more visible Dining Room, where it had always been displayed. The Executive Chef Marvella (Mary Wiseman) is angry because she isn’t going to be allowed to serve the dish she had prepared for the State Dinner. Jasmine Haney (Susan Kelechi Watson), a White House Assistant Usher is seething because A.B. told her before the dinner he wasn’t going to retire, blocking her promotion.

(L to R) Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine Haney, Molly Griggs as Lilly Schumacher

A White House butler, Sheila Cannon (a marvelous Edwina Findley), admits she was drunk when bringing a carafe of vodka to the First Gentleman’s mother Nan Cox (Jane Curtain!). White House Social Secretary Lily Schumacher (Molly Griggs) manages to annoy A.B., as well as most of the house staff, with her demands. (Her redo of the Blue Room is a hoot!) President Perry Morgan’s brother, Tripp, a former addict, lives at the White House and is always butting heads with A.B., most recently over a clogged toilet. Also a suspect is the president’s chief adviser, Harry Hollinger (Ken Marino) who was overheard by A.B. in a mysterious meeting with the Aussies. 

(L to R) Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Larry Dokes, Dan Perrault as Colin Trask, Spencer Garrett as Wally Glick, Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Randall Park as Edwin Park, Andrew Friedman as Irv Samuelson, Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger, Molly Griggs as Lilly Schumacher

And those Aussies! Although not a suspect, the Australian Foreign Minister David Rylance (played by Brett Tucker, who displays his comedic chops) is the rake who has no problem making out with the executive chef on the front lawn. There’s constant mention of Hugh Jackman (although he never appears), who keeps the assembled guests entertained with his tap dancing when everyone is ordered to stay put until Cupp gives them permission to leave. That doesn’t happen until the sun comes up.

The Residence will remind fans of the best Agatha Christie films when Hercule Poirot gathers all the suspects in one place to reveal not only the murderer but the motive behind the crime. As Cupp, Aduba makes the most of this moment and truly hits it out of the park. The ending will not only tie up lose ends, but deliver a much needed salvo to a population that is yearning for encouragement in these dark days. Thank you!

Top: (L to R) Dan Perrault as Colin Trask, Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Larry Dokes
Photo Credit: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024)