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Shonda Rhimes’s new Netflix series The Residence brings a fictional murder mystery set inside the White House, but it’s inspired by real-life stories of the residence’s staff. The show is based on Kate Andersen Brower’s 2015 book The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House, which provides a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the butlers, maids, chefs, and other staff members who work closely with U.S. presidents and their families.
Brower, a former White House correspondent, interviewed those who had worked in the White House to gather insights for her book. She mentioned that the idea for her book came to her in 2013 after attending a lunch with Michelle Obama and some female reporters. During the lunch, a butler served them an elegant meal, and the rapport between the Obamas and the butler made her realize how close these staff members can become with the first family.
Unlike Brower’s book, which focuses on the real-life experiences of White House staff, The Residence introduces a fictional element: a murder mystery. The series follows detective Cordelia Cupp, played by Uzo Aduba, as she investigates a crime that occurs during a state dinner, with over 150 potential suspects, including world leaders and celebrities.
While the show is fictional, there is a historical event that somewhat parallels the murder mystery in the show. In 1859, Congressman Daniel E. Sickles shot and killed U.S. District Attorney Philip Barton Key in Lafayette Square, just outside the White House. The murder was fueled by an affair between Key and Sickles’s wife, and Sickles’s famous words before pulling the trigger were, “You villain! You have dishonored my house and you must die!”
Many characters in the show are inspired by real White House workers, although not all are direct representations of specific individuals. For instance, White House Chief Usher A.B. Wynter, played by Giancarlo Esposito, may be based on real figures but is not necessarily a direct portrayal of one person. Susan Kelechi Watson, who plays Jasmine Haney in the series, learned about the role of Chief Usher and Assistant Usher through Brower’s book. These roles involve managing the household and ensuring the smooth operation of the residence.
So, while The Residence is fictional and the murder mystery is entirely made-up, it draws from real White House history and the experiences of the staff who make the White House run behind the scenes.