Friends detectives, put on your caps! This Thursday, March 20, finally marks the release of La Résidence, a new Netflix series launched by Shonda Rhimes' production company (who brought us Bridgerton or Grey's Anatomy) with a 100% V.I.P. cast. Inspired by the American bestseller The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower, we are granted access to the presidential house to investigate alongside detective Cordelia Cupp on Washington’s most suspicious death…
An XXL Clue game, White House version
Have you devoured every page of Agatha Christie's novels and won every game of Clue? We have a new investigation for you. La Résidence is the new series we've been eagerly waiting for. The pitch? A White House where no one is truly spotless regarding the death of Chief of Staff A.B. Winter – played by the great actor Giancarlo Esposito from Breaking Bad – during a state dinner.
To solve such a mystery, there’s only one solution: bring in the eccentric yet formidable detective Cordelia Cupp, played by Uzo Aduba (Orange Is the New Black). Her asset? Solving the most insoluble investigations. How? A bird enthusiast, she applies her passion to her job: she knows how to observe… and wait. But with more than a hundred suspects, let’s just say she’s in for a rough ride.
A crime and an almost perfect detective story
Through the most discreet actors of the White House – the staff – we learn about the schemes and behind-the-scenes of this political institution. At the heart of American power, we discover a fictional universe, yes, but one inspired by real testimonies from the staff of the world's most famous residence. Paul William Davies, the showrunner of the series, thus blends detective fiction, humor, and politics, delivering a classic but enjoyable whodunit.
What we loved:
- The Hitchcockian inspirations of the labyrinthine sets.
- The cast featuring actors from the hottest series. Besides Giancarlo Esposito and Uzo Aduba, we find Randall Park (WandaVision), Susan Kelechi Watson (This Is Us), and even Jason Lee (from the series Earl, for the more vintage fans).
- The scenes set to jazzy music… but also Kylie Minogue.
What we liked less:
- The length, at times, of certain episodes, where one might get bored by the slow pace of the investigation.
La Résidence, available on Netflix on March 20.
Also, check out Peaky Blinders in a Ballet Rock version and 5 must-watch series in March.
