Shonda Rhimes is back at the White House, but this time, there’s no Olivia Pope or “Scandal” drama—well, not exactly. The drama in Rhimes’ latest project is wrapped in wit and humor, as a murder unfolds at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. In The Residence, a new eight-episode Netflix series, the brilliant yet quirky detective Cordelia Cupp, played by three-time Emmy winner Uzo Aduba, is on the case.
The mystery begins when the chief usher, A.B. Wynter (played by Giancarlo Esposito), is found dead during a state dinner, and Cupp is called in to determine whether it’s suicide or murder. As she digs into the investigation, the story unravels the inner workings of the White House, from the head chef to the janitors.
Aduba spoke about her love for her character at the 2025 SCAD TV Festival in Atlanta, saying, “I love her precision. She doesn’t miss a beat. She’s really exacting with her words. She sees every detail in the room and puts together all the necessary pieces to solve the case.” Oh, and Cupp is also a bird-watcher—a unique quirk that plays into her investigative skills. “She brings all of herself, including bird-watching, to her cases,” Aduba added. You’ll often find Cupp with binoculars in hand, observing the world around her as she interrogates suspects.
The show also boasts a stellar supporting cast, including This Is Us star Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine, who hoped to replace A.B. Wynter; SNL alum Jane Curtin as the president’s mother-in-law; Bronson Pinchot as Chef Didier Gothard; and Randall Park as the skeptical FBI agent, Edwin Park. There’s even comedian Al Franken playing a senator investigating security issues at the White House, and pop star Kylie Minogue makes an appearance, too.
Aduba explains that Cupp’s confidence and ability to sift through more than 150 suspects come naturally to her character. “She has absolute confidence in herself and her abilities,” Aduba said. “She will not allow anyone’s idea of who she is or what she can do to define her.”
But what really drives Cupp is the truth. “She wants to get the answer. She wants to get to the root,” Aduba said. “She’ll do whatever it takes to chase that down.” For Cupp, solving the case is all about making sense of the world.
For Aduba, leading The Residence under Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland banner has been a rewarding experience. “Shonda does the good work,” Aduba said. “She buoys everybody up.” She added that Rhimes’ team is built on discipline and excellence, which sets the bar for the industry.
