How Uzo Aduba Cracked Her Role in ‘The Residence’ Finale
Uzo Aduba, the Emmy-winning actress known for her powerful performances, found the true heartbeat of her character, Cordelia Cupp, in the final episode of Netflix’s The Residence. Aduba plays the determined and razor-sharp investigator tasked with solving a murder inside the White House. But it wasn’t until filming the finale that she truly understood who Cordelia was.
“She walks us through the whole case… and I just remember it changed the way I saw her,” Aduba revealed during a panel at the Hollywood Legion Theater.
The turning point? A moment when Cordelia, usually composed and controlled, storms through the Grand Cross hallway, passionately rambling about a spotted owl. That unexpected outburst unveiled the real Cordelia — not a stoic agent, but a woman fueled by her passion for justice.
“The thing that gets her excited is her job,” Aduba explained. “That’s what she lives for.”
The Mystery Behind the Mystery
Showrunner Paul William Davies also had his own lightbulb moment — oddly enough, while watching C-SPAN. A late-night Senate hearing about the White House residence sparked a vision: the third floor as a real-life Clue board. This inspiration helped him reimagine Kate Andersen Brower’s nonfiction book into a stylish murder mystery full of humor, twists, and eccentric personalities.
Davies allowed the story to evolve during production. Characters like Trask (Dan Perrault), initially written as comic relief, were expanded to keep viewers guessing. Even former senator Al Franken received additional material after surprising the team with his performance.
“There were so many fan theories,” Davies laughed. “People thought the calligrapher was the killer.”
Karaoke, Bird Calls & Behind-the-Scenes Magic
Inside the theater, the cast — including Giancarlo Esposito, Randall Park, Susan Kelechi Watson, Ken Marino, and others — reflected on the series with humor and fondness. A shared love for karaoke led to an impromptu performance of the Growing Pains theme, highlighting the off-screen camaraderie.
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Meanwhile, composer Mark Mothersbaugh crafted the show’s distinct sound using jazz and improv musicians, briefly experimenting with a quirky 65-bird-call carousel inspired by Cordelia’s love of ornithology. It didn’t make the final cut, but his playful tone remained.
Costume designer Lyn Paolo (of Scandal and The West Wing) and production designer François Audouy worked in harmony to create a vivid, color-coded version of the White House. From blue-and-yellow-themed rooms to over 200 unique state dinner settings, every detail served the story — and, often, the mystery.
“Each room had its own clues,” Audouy revealed. “We had a team of clue masters building visual breadcrumbs.”
Looking Ahead to Season 2
While The Residence has already won over fans with its mix of mystery and humor, the team is already teasing what’s to come. A jazz score, evolving characters, and even more hidden secrets promise that Season 2 may take the show to new levels.
As for Aduba, her discovery of Cordelia’s emotional depth is a reminder of what makes The Residence more than just a whodunnit — it’s a character-driven story about obsession, purpose, and the thrill of the chase.
Source : www.goldderby.com
