The residence

Cordelia Cupp is a detective, and a birder. Her passion is to observe birds. She set herself the goal of observing the giant Antpitta. So when the police chief calls her on her way to the airport because there was a murder at the White House, she’s mildly upset…

During a State dinner with Australian representatives, A.B. Winter, the chief Usher, has been found dead. Some would find it more convenient to declare suicide, but Cordelia doesn’t believe it. This strong-willed little lady is going to declare a blockade of the White House so she can question everyone. Over the course of a long night, the 140 guests, presidential family and staff will have to manage their nerves while awaiting the outcome of the investigation. Fortunately, Kylie Minogue and Hugh Jackman are here to keep the guests entertained!

A tribute to the genre “murder investigation”

The series is full of references to Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, “knives out” and other models of the genre. The sets and costumes are meticulous, though deliberately a little old-fashioned. The characters are well-studied, and of course they all have something to hide. The dialogue is polished, a little too polished, and lacks simplicity. There are so many long tirades in one go that they quickly become tiresome. Each episode focuses on a specific “suspect”. When the character in question isn’t very interesting, it becomes a bit heavy-handed.

The series is not without its flaws. But Uzo Aduba’s cheekiness manages to convince (memorable Suzanne from “Orange is the new black”!) . The duo she forms with the dubious and awkward FBI Special Agent Park is quite successful. And of course, the series details the inner workings of the White House, brimming with tasty anecdotes, feeding our curiosity on the subject.

Despite its length, this colorful series is well worth the detour.

Miniseries, 8 episodes (60 mn), 2025, on Netflix

WITH :

• Police and officials : Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Randall Park (seen in Blockbuster) as Edwin Park, Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Larry Dokes, Andrew Friedman as Irv Samuelson, Spencer Garrett as Wally Glick, Dan Perrault as Colin Trask
• White House staff : Giancarlo Esposito as A. B. Wynter, Molly Griggs as Lilly Schumacher, Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine Haney, Edwina Findley as Sheila Cannon, Bronson Pinchot as Didier Gotthard, Julieth Restrepo as Elsyie Chayle, Mel Rodriguez as Bruce Geller, Mary Wiseman as Marvella, Izzy Diaz as Eddie Gomez, Juliette Jeffers as Angie Huggins
• Members of the government and Australian guests : Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger, Paul Fitzgerald as Perry Morgan, Barrett Foa as Elliot Morgan, Jane Curtin as Nan Cox, Jason Lee as Tripp Morgan, Eliza Coupe as Margery Bay Bix, Al Franken as Aaron Filkins, Timothy Hornor as Patrick Doumbe, Julian McMahon as Stephen Roos, Brett Tucker as David Rylance, Kylie Minogue as herself.