Ask Your Own Question
What is the plot?
The Residence begins with the White House preparing for a state dinner hosting the Australian prime minister. During the event, a scream echoes through the halls, and A.B. Wynter, the long-serving Chief Usher of the White House, is found dead upstairs in the Yellow Oval Room. Detective Cordelia Cupp, an eccentric and birding enthusiast, is called in to investigate the murder. She arrives at the White House and begins her inquiry by interviewing the staff and guests present during the dinner.
Early in the investigation, Cupp learns about the complex interpersonal dynamics among the White House staff. She discovers that Wynter was a well-known figure who had many conflicts, especially with Lilly, the president's social secretary, who is intent on modernizing the White House and often clashes with traditional staff members. Cupp also finds that Wynter had a tense relationship with Bruce, a staff member who felt unappreciated, and Elsyie Chayle, a housekeeper who had lied on her job application and feared being fired.
Cupp is given forty-eight hours by Harry Hollinger, the chief advisor, to reexamine the White House and solve the case. During this time, she uncovers that keys found in Wynter's pocket belong to Bruce. Lilly reveals she saw Bruce in the Yellow Oval Room earlier, where she also witnessed Wynter arguing with Elsyie. Both Bruce and Elsyie claim they found Wynter dead and each suspects the other of murder. Cupp deduces that Bruce and Elsyie are romantically involved, having bonded during a lockdown caused by a terrorist attack, exchanging symbolic gifts--a necklace and a keychain.
As Cupp spends the night in the Yellow Oval Room to unravel the truth, flashbacks reveal the events leading up to the murder. It becomes clear that Lilly, the social secretary, had a motive: she clashed frequently with Wynter, who threatened to expose her dubious financial practices and harsh treatment of coworkers. Lilly, a privileged social media influencer with a desire to transform the White House in the style of Jackie Kennedy's era, had poisoned Wynter with a deadly herbicide taken from the gardening shed. She offered Wynter a drink under the guise of reconciliation.
When Wynter realized something was wrong, Lilly lost control. She threw a vase at him, which did not incapacitate him, so she grabbed a clock and struck him, finishing the murder. She then hid the clock in the passageway between the Yellow Oval Room and the Treaty Room to secure her alibi and returned to the State Dinner as if nothing had happened.
After the murder, Wynter's body was moved multiple times by different staff members, each trying to cover their tracks. Bruce and Elsyie, each suspecting the other, moved the body to different rooms. Eventually, Tripp Morgan, another staff member, dragged the body to the Game Room, added fake evidence of wrist lacerations, and staged the scene as a suicide to mislead the investigation.
In the final confrontation, Detective Cupp calls all the suspects together and reveals Lilly as the murderer. The evidence of poisoning, the clock as the murder weapon, and the motive of protecting her position and vision for the White House are laid bare. Lilly's attempts to cover up her crime unravel under Cupp's scrutiny.
With the case closed, Cordelia Cupp returns to her passion for birdwatching, leaving the White House behind but ready to return should another mystery arise. The series ends with the resolution of the murder and the restoration of order in the White House staff.
What is the ending?
The ending of The Residence (2025) reveals that Lilly is the murderer of White House Chief Usher A.B. Wynter. Detective Cordelia Cupp exposes Lilly as the killer during a final walkthrough with the suspects. Lilly, who had been embezzling funds and had a history of disrespecting White House traditions, killed Wynter after he threatened to expose her. She attempted to poison him in the Yellow Oval Room and then fatally struck him with a clock. In the ensuing chaos, multiple characters inadvertently moved Wynter's body to various locations to hide the crime. With the evidence and confession, Lilly is taken into custody, and Cupp presents her conclusions to the committee, officially solving the case.
The narrative of the ending unfolds meticulously scene by scene:
The resolution begins with detective Cordelia Cupp leading all the suspects on a deliberate tour through the White House to reconstruct the murder. This walkthrough is aimed at revealing the sequence of events and identifying the culprit. The group moves through critical locations, including the Yellow Oval Room, where the initial poisoning attempt occurred, and the parade of moving the body across different rooms, highlighting the confusion and fear that gripped the staff that night.
Cupp reveals that Lilly, a staff member with a penchant for bending the rules and embezzling money, had been threatened by A.B. Wynter after he uncovered her financial misdeeds. During a meeting in the Yellow Oval Room, Lilly tried to poison Wynter. When the poison failed to kill him immediately, Lilly grabbed a clock and struck him fatally. The shock of the murder led to a series of frantic moves: Bruce, mistakenly thinking another staff member was responsible, dragged the body first to the Lincoln Bedroom, then to Room 301, where an unconscious employee named Tripp was sleeping. Tripp, afraid of being blamed, moved the body yet again to the third-floor Game Room.
After the chaotic relocation of the body, Lilly seized an opportunity to cover the evidence further. She impersonated another staff member, Elliot, to restrict access to the Yellow Oval Room and had the passage to it sealed, attempting to manipulate the investigation. Nevertheless, Cordelia Cupp's detective work uncovered the incriminating clock used to kill Wynter, hidden behind a panel.
The final scene closes with Cupp presenting these findings to the Senate committee overseeing the inquiry. She confirms Lilly's guilt and assures Nan, a committee member, that the case is solved. Lilly's arrest marks the end of the mystery, bringing closure to the tense investigation that unveiled not only the murder but also the complex interpersonal dynamics and secrets within the White House staff.
This ending highlights the themes of trust, power, and the intricate hidden world behind the public façade of the White House, showing how personal failings and desperation can lead to tragic consequences within even the most prestigious institutions.
Is there a post-credit scene?
The TV show The Residence (2025) does not have a traditional post-credit scene. Instead, the series finale (episode 8) ends with a poignant dedication to actor Andre Braugher, who was originally cast and had filmed scenes before being replaced by Giancarlo Esposito due to unforeseen circumstances. This dedication appears at the very end of the series rather than after individual episodes or credits, serving as a tribute to Braugher's involvement and memory.
There is no mention in the available sources of a separate post-credit scene with additional plot content or teasers. The show concludes with the resolution of the murder mystery and the dedication, without extra scenes after the credits.
Who is the main detective in the series and what is her background?
The main detective in the series is Cordelia Cupp, played by Uzo Aduba. She is an eccentric and idiosyncratic detective who is also an avid amateur birder. She is brought in by the Maryland Police Department to investigate a murder at the White House.
What is the setting of the series and how does it explore the White House staff?
The series is set in the White House, exploring the lives of its staff and their interactions with the First Family. It delves into the 'upstairs, downstairs, and backstairs' of the White House, highlighting the intricate relationships and conflicts among the personnel.
What are the 5 most popular questions people ask about the TV show The Residence (2025) that deal specifically with the story content, excluding 'What is the overall plot?' and 'What is the ending?'
The five most popular story-related questions about The Residence (2025), excluding the overall plot and ending, are:
- Who are the main suspects involved in the murder mystery at the White House staff residence?
- What role does detective Cordelia Cupp play in unraveling the murder case?
- How do the interpersonal conflicts among the White House staff influence the investigation?
- What is the significance of the keys found in Wynter's pocket and their connection to other characters?
- How does the setting of the White House's upstairs, downstairs, and backstairs contribute to the twists and turns of the story?
These questions focus on the murder investigation details, character dynamics, and the unique setting that shapes the narrative of the series.
Is this family friendly?
The TV show The Residence (2025) is rated TV-MA, indicating it is intended for mature audiences and not recommended for children. It features content that might be upsetting or objectionable for younger or sensitive viewers. Specifically, the series includes:
- Strong language, including frequent use of the f-word.
- A murder mystery involving death, which is central to the plot.
- References to suicide.
- Scenes of a couple having sex, though without nudity.
- Political themes and undertones.
- Portrayal of a fictional gay president and his marriage.
Due to these elements--mature language, adult themes, murder, and sensitive topics like suicide--the show may not be suitable for children or those sensitive to such content.
The show is described as a screwball whodunnit set in the White House among staff and the First Family, which might intrigue older viewers who enjoy mysteries but could still contain material that is potentially distressing for younger audiences.
In summary, The Residence is not family-friendly for children and may contain scenes unsettling to sensitive viewers, primarily due to mature language, sexual situations, violent themes, and discussions of suicide, but it does not have explicit nudity.
Does the dog die?
There is no information available in the search results regarding the death of a dog in the TV show The Residence produced in 2025. The show primarily focuses on a murder mystery within the White House involving its staff, and there is no mention of a dog's death in the provided descriptions.