Anyone familiar with the genius that is Shonda Rhimes – also known as the producer and writer behind mega series Grey’s Anatomy, Bridgerton and Inventing Anna – knows that when Shondaland gets behind a project, it’s guaranteed to be a hit, and her latest show, The Residence, is no exception.
Born of the beloved whodunnit murder-mystery genre, The Residence is a detective drama with a difference featuring “132 rooms. 157 suspects. One dead body. One wildly eccentric detective. One disastrous State Dinner,” according to the show’s synopsis.
Set in the “upstairs, downstairs, and backstairs” of the White House, the suspenseful series will premiere on Netflix on March 20, inviting viewers to pick apart the political players in the seemingly unsolvable puzzle. And who better to make up the slew of unusual suspects than an ensemble as star-studded as they come?
Before you dive into the tantalising tale of Detective Cordelia Cupp and the latest case in need of solving, get to know the cast set to appear in Netflix’s new crime comedy – The Residence.
Meet The Residence Cast
As a “comedic, almost farcical” take on the whodunit detective mystery genre, it’s only fitting that the cast is as stacked as the plot’s twists and turns. Between our very own Princess of Pop – Kylie Minogue, fellow Australian, Julian McMahon, and the show’s leads Uzo Aduba and Randall Park, The Residence ensemble has a collective career resume that reads like a ‘best of’ list. But just in case you need a refresher, here’s where you’ve seen The Residence cast members before.
Uzo Aduba as Detective Cordelia Cupp
No stranger to the Netflix hit factory, Uzo Aduba has played a range of notable names over her storied career, but her role as Detective Cordelia Cupp in The Residence is one of her most nuanced.
But before she was cast as the latest Shonaland heroine, Aduba brought to life characters such as Suzanne in Orange Is The New Black, Dr Brooke Taylor in the cult drama In Treatment, and Edie Flowers in the harrowing tale of America’s opioid epidemic, Painkiller.
Randall Park as Special Agent Edwin Park
Playing Special Agent, FBI, Edwin Park, a federal agent assigned to work alongside Detective Cordelia Cupp in a Watson/Holmes style pairing, American actor Randall Park is poised to provide endless comedic relief in the long-awaited murder mystery, The Residence.
One of the most recognisable faces in the cast, most viewers will know Park from his long-standing role as Louis Huang in Fresh Off The Boat. But of course, there’s no forgetting his scene-stealing performances in The Interview (as Kim Jong Un), Dinner For Schmucks, Aquaman and Office Christmas Party – just to name a few.
Giancarlo Esposito as A.B. Wynter, White House Chief Usher
While the chief usher of the White House, A.B. Wynter, may suffer a grizzly fate early on – don’t worry – as there’s plenty of screen time in which to reacquaint yourself with the brilliance of actor Giancarlo Esposito. After all, what would a Whodunnit be without a complex character that brings all the suspects motives to light?
The character was originally meant to be played by Andrew Braugher, but after his unexpected passing during the early days of filming, Esposito was called in to take up the mantle. So luckily for us, we get to see how he tackles this role as head of The Residence household.
A true Hollywood heavyweight, Esposito’s career spans decades and includes starring roles in blockbusters such as Captain America, Megalopolis, The Usual Suspects, and most recently, Netflix’s sci-fi adventure hit, The Electric State – alongside Milly Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt.
Aside from silver screen best-sellers, there’s also his notable performances in cult series Breaking Bad – and its spin-off, Better Call Saul to note, as well as an ongoing role in The Mandalorian alongside everyone’s favourite Zaddy, Pedro Pascal.
Kylie Minogue as Kylie Minogue
Does Australia’s Princess of Pop really need an introduction? We think not. But just for formality’s sake, we’ll oblige.
So iconic she’s been cast in The Residence as herself, Kylie Minogue joins the star-studded crew as the performer tasked with entertaining the official gathering during the night of the murder. Attempting to escape the unwanted attention of her adoring fans among them, she appeals to Cordelia Cupp for a hand in keeping them at bay, before becoming a person of interest, too.
In case you need reminding, Kylie has enjoyed a lauded career as one of the world’s most prolific and successful popstars, topping charts and breaking hearts since she first danced onto our screens as Charlene Robinson on Neighbours.
Take a step back in time with the icon’s most memorable looks from Neighbours, until now, here.
Julian McMahon as Stephen Roos, Australia’s Prime Minister
Cast in The Residence as Australia’s prime minister, Stephen Roos, we’re excited to see where this Aussie expat takes his character – especially given he has the most experience of any cast member when it comes to diplomatic dealings. Not only the son of former Australian prime minister, Sir William McMahon, Julian was also married to Dannii Minogue for a year in the 1990s, making his time on the show alongside Kylie even more of an anticipated reunion.
The actor’s most prominent role was as enigmatic Dr Christian Troy in Nip/Tuck, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama. He’s also appeared alongside Sandra Bullock in Premonition and as the evil Doctor Doom in two of the original Fantastic Four movies. And who could forget his role as the is-he-isn’t-he bad boy, Cole, in the hit series Charmed? Certainly not us.
Most recently, he played Jess LaCroix in the CBS crime drama FBI: Most Wanted, for three successful seasons before abruptly leaving the show.
Jason Lee as Tripp Morgan
Cast in the Shonaland series as Tripp Morgan, the president’s disappointing younger brother and perpetual screw-up, actor Jason Lee will undoubtedly be calling on his wealth of experience playing characters known for a meet a certain potential.
Well known for his portrayal of Earl Hickey in the beloved hit series, My Name Is Earl, Lee has also starred in indie classics such as Mallrats and Almost Famous, as well as family favourites Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Incredibles. There’s no denying that Lee certainly has range, so we’re excited to see where he takes his newly appointed role in The Residence.
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