‘The Residence’ Canceled at Netflix After 1 Season But the Story Was Just Getting Started

Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp in 'The Residence'
Jessica Brooks/Netflix

The lights are out and doors have closed on The Residence, as Netflix has canceled the White House-set murder mystery after just one season. Starring Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, the “greatest detective in the world,” Shonda Rhimes‘ whodunnit joins freshman medical drama Pulse on the chopping block of canceled shows.

Also starring Randall Park, Giancarlo Esposito, Bronson Pinchot, Susan Kelechi Watson, Jason Lee, Edwina Findley, Mary Wiseman, and Jane Curtin, news of the cancellation broke on July 2. Deadline first reported the news.

The Shondaland-produced mystery followed detective Cordelia Cupp (Aduba) as she investigated a murder during a state dinner. Across eight episodes, she questioned staff and guests to uncover hidden motives while exposing personal dramas inside the presidential residence.

But what could have been had the show continued? If the series had gone forward, the show would have become an anthology with Cupp at the center, taking on a new case each season. Based on Kate Andersen Brower’s 2016 book, The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House, the tome covered true accounts shared by White House staff members, but featured no quirky detectives, leaving the door open for Cupp to possibly explore other iconic residences, tourist attractions, and so forth.

However, that isn’t the only development the show could have expanded upon. Aduba revealed that the show likely would have further explored Cordelia and Edwin’s relationship.

“I love thinking about the relationship that Cordelia and Edwin are forming,” Aduba told TV Insider. “They’re in the budding phase of their friendship and have developed a shorthand between each other… They have one great case under their belt, and I’m happy to imagine what else they might do [or] get into,” she adds.

Unfortunately, the potential partnership and their future adventures are now a thing of the past, as the first season of The Residence will also be its last.

The Residence, Season 1, Streaming now, Netflix




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  1. O

    OliveClover

    I don’t get it - they never keep the good shows. We don’t need more Fire, Police, or ER dramas. I love unique and interesting shows like this, but they just won’t keep them going.

    49

  2. G

    GreenPlane

    Netflix executives are morons. The show was excellent. Well written & outstanding performances.

    40

  3. B

    BlueLocomotive

    What a pity. I was looking forward to another season.

    37

  4. R

    raine

    I really enjoy that show I'm very disappointed!!!

    33

  5. P

    PurpleBlowdryer

    No point in watching new shows until they have run more than 2 seasons. Or at least knowing if the series was cut short.This is why. They don't care about the story or the audience.

    32

    1. O

      OrangeMagnet

      This is EXACTLY why I don’t watch anything on Netflix for several seasons. I won’t get burned again. Acorn had good mysteries. They renew them. I give them my money.

      16

  6. G

    GreenBowtie

    So frustrating. So many great shows cancelled this year after just one season. Netflix has basically turned into the home for network shows that were cancelled ages and ages ago.

    31

  7. G

    GreenBulb

    You finally find a clever well written show that is actually worth watching and they cancel it. I guess if it doesn't have a car chase, brainless Kardashian or explosion they quit making it. So sad for viewers.

    26

  8. O

    OrangeFries

    This is TERRIBLE! It was one of the few good shows on TV. I can't imagine what the reasoning was. It's DEPRESSING! Please, someone else pick it up!

    26

  9. P

    PurpleCar

    I am so sad to find out this show isn't returning for more seasons. I loved it so much and it seemed to do well in the ratings. It was funny and cozy and had the potential to deliver perfection...what a loss

    21

  10. O

    OlivePaw

    I am so upset. This show was so witty and entertaining. It makes no sense at all.

    10

  11. G

    GreenBee

    As the case was closed on the murder mystery in the White House Residence, it would make sense to bring back another season of a What happened next in the Residence? Or What is going to happen in the next Residence? To cancel the Residence, and not write future scripts around the cases other (past and future) cases of Cordelia Cupp is very unreasonable. I can't imagine anyone who watched the show came away not wanting to see Cordelia again. Call the show: "A(nother) Curious Case of Detective Cordelia Cupp"

    3

  12. O

    OliveCactus

    Bummer I liked the series

    3

  13. O

    OrangeCoathanger

    Netflix must have grand reason for this change. What it is, is just stupid on their part. This show is good and unique like Columbo . That was a favorite too. Well I hope Netflix realizes the mistake they made. Uzo is fantastic, well ALL cast members are really perfect for the show.

    3

  14. B

    BlueSnow

    Nooooo........! Why??? Give it a chance for goodness sakes.......Uzo Aduba played her role perfectly! Yes....it may have started off a little slow moving for some people, but that's happened with many shows that become hits. We were finally getting somewhere and we were looking forward to season 2. 🥺

    2

  15. O

    OlivePlanet

    I so wanted to see more of Cordelia in action

    2

  16. R

    RedSeahorse

    Very disappointed!! I was looking forward to another season.

    2

  17. C

    CyanBus

    This sucks

    1

  18. B

    BlueClover

    How disappointing

    1

  19. M

    Mj

    Just got NETFLIX and it was the best show/ who done it I’ve so far.

  20. G

    GoldPuzzle

    Once again I finally found a show that was well written and actually made me laugh out loud (for real) and they go and cancel it! Stupid!!!! Bring it back!

    How do we campaign for it??

  21. B

    BlueProcessor

    Damn, Damn, DAMN! I wanted more of this! It was great! Uzo Aduba was great! I am so disappointed and disgusted!

  22. O

    OliveBullhorn

    The Residence was a great show with a great cast. It is a travesty that Netflix cancelled it. I am so disappointed. I hope another network will pick it up though I just read that will not happen. Very disappointing.

  23. O

    OrangeCoathanger

    Yes. Just when you really love a show and its characters, it's just gone. Proof I guess that there are too many shows. I get attached. That's why I like Soap Operas. #TotalSigh...

  24. C

    CyanWeights

    I love mysteries, I love Agatha Christie, etc. But I didn't like this at all! Most of the time it sounded like the main character was just mumbling the lines.

    7