“The Residence” Revealed: Unmasking the Creative Journeys Behind the Wacky White House Whodunit

The Residence, the screwball whodunit comedy set inside the White House, offers viewers more than just a clever murder mystery wrapped in dry humor and sharp dialogue. Behind the scenes, the show is a mosaic of unique and winding journeys taken by the creators and cast—journeys that shaped the making of the series.

At a recent panel event celebrating the show’s success, the creative minds behind The Residence gathered to share the surprising and often difficult paths that led them to this project.

From Law to Laughs: Paul William Davies’ Leap

The panel featured an impressive lineup of talent: Ken Marino (playing Henry Olmert), Giancarlo Esposito (A.B. Wynter), Susan Kelechi Watson (Jasmine Haney), Randall Park (Edwin Park), and Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba). Central to the discussion was Paul William Davies, the series’ creator, executive producer, and writer, whose journey into television was as unexpected as it was inspiring.

Davies opens the conversation saying, “Thank you all for being here. This show was a thrill to create. Honestly, The Residence kept me guessing until the very end—and I’m still not quite sure who did it!”

When asked about his path into the entertainment world, Davies reveals: “I wasn’t always in this business. For years, I was a lawyer. By day, I practiced law; by night, I wrote scripts. I had a drawer full of pilots that never got picked up.”

He recalls how he would sneak away from the law office to pitch ideas to studios and then return to his desk as if nothing had happened.

Davies’ breakthrough came when the head writer of Scandal offered him a short-term gig in their writers’ room. “It was just five weeks, no promises beyond that. But it was my escape, my chance to finally live the dream. I left law behind and dived headfirst into television writing.”  That leap of faith ignited a passion that propelled him to create The Residence.

Randall Park, Giancarlo Esposito, Paul William Davies, Uzo Aduba, Susan Kelechi Watson and Ken Marino. Photo by Jerod Harris/ Getty Images for Netflix

Sketch Comedy, Improv, and Humble Beginnings

Ken Marino, known for his comedic timing, shared his start in sketch comedy and improv. “I was with The Groundlings, teaching improvisation. The energy there was electric—being on stage felt like riding a wave you never wanted to end.” For Marino, the immediacy of live performance shaped his instincts and gave him tools he would later bring to his television roles.

Randall Park chimes in with humor about his earliest role—a non-union commercial filmed in Mandarin. “I had no clue what I was saying. I’m Korean—I just nodded along!” he jokes. “That $50 was the biggest paycheck I’d ever had at the time.”

Susan Kelechi Watson recalls her first acting job—a reenactment of a crime for a local station during her days at Howard University. “Playing a thief caught in the act was surreal,” she says. “Watching myself ‘commit’ that crime, knowing it was all pretend, gave me a strange but invaluable introduction to embodying characters and telling stories visually.”

Giancarlo Esposito emphasizes the power of live theater. “There’s nothing quite like live performance,” he says. “The intimacy, the immediacy—it’s a raw form of storytelling that informs everything else I do.” This appreciation for authenticity and connection underpins his work in both comedy and drama.

Davies stressed the importance of bringing personal experience to characters. “Every struggle, every detour adds texture,” he states. “There’s no formula for success. What we have is a mosaic of experiences that informs our work.”

Esposito spoke to the show’s unique balance of humor and tension. “Comedy isn’t just about laughs,” he said. “It’s a way to explore contradictions in human nature, to reveal truths in unexpected ways. Each of us brought something unique to that mix.”

Ken Marino notes the essence of collaboration. “Working together, pooling our different voices and talents—that’s where the magic happens. It’s the intersection of perspectives that creates depth and truth.”

Paul William Davies summarizes, “The Residence is about connection—between characters, between creators, and with audiences. It’s a reminder that even in comedy, there’s room for complexity and reflection.”

Susan Kelechi Watson adds, “Laughter opens doors to understanding. It disarms, invites us in, and creates space for difficult conversations.”

[More: Paul William Davies Solves A White House Murder Mystery In “The Residence”]

Creating Cordelia Cupp: Avid Birdwatcher & Detective

The main character is the quirky Cordelia Cupp, played by Uzo Aduba who got her break into television as Crazy Eyes in Orange Is The New Black. The actress shared insights into bringing Cordelia—a sharp, confident detective with a peculiar edge—to life.

“It’s funny because people sometimes think Cordelia is five steps behind, but I kept glancing at Randall’s character Edwin, and that kind of describes him too,” Aduba says with a laugh. She describes Edwin’s respect for Cordelia’s reputation, walking a line between admiration and skepticism, while both are united by a shared determination to uncover the truth.

Aduba emphasizes Cordelia’s strong confidence. “She loves what she does and is excellent at it. That was where I found her—standing firmly in her authority and skill.”

In preparing for the role, she turned to various inspirations. “I grew up loving Knives Out, Clue, and Murder, She Wrote—Jessica Fletcher was a hero to me. That detective spirit was in my bones. When I read Paul’s script, Cordelia’s voice was so loud and present, so sharp and methodical, I couldn’t shake it.”

The television series was inspired by a novel that didn’t include Cordelia Cupp. Some fans tried to find Cordelia in the White House staff book that inspired the show, only to realize she’s an original creation. “The book has all these incredible stories set in the White House, but no Cordelia,” Aduba explains. “That was a first for me—to have a character come purely from the writer’s imagination but feel so real.”

Embodying Protocol and Tradition: Giancarlo Esposito on Usher A.B. Wynter

Esposito shared his perspective on playing A.B. Wynter, the “man of the house.” “There’s such strict protocol in the White House,” he says. “It’s a place of reverence and tradition, and A.B. represents that—the right way to do things, the welcoming of guests, and ensuring everyone feels comfortable.”

Key Points:

1. Diverse and Unexpected Beginnings
No path to creative success is straight or predictable. From law to local commercials, each panelist’s route was unique, proving that passion often finds a way, even if it takes detours.

2. Resilience and Risk
Many shared stories of balancing day jobs with creative ambitions, waiting for the right break, and having the courage to leap when opportunity knocked.

3. The Power of Empathy and Observation
Early life experiences—interacting with different people, performing live, or engaging with diverse cultures—enriched their artistic perspectives and informed their work.

4. Collaboration as Creative Alchemy
The fusion of different backgrounds and viewpoints gave The Residence its distinct voice and vitality.

5. Storytelling as Connection
The project highlighted how storytelling, even through comedy, can reflect complexity, foster empathy, and provoke meaningful thought.

by Staff Writer

From our in-house editorial team.