here is a murder, a dozen suspects, a smart detective and a web of intrigue in a big house. Sounds like the usual? Well, it is, but with one small exception: it is the house of the most powerful man in the world;you’ve probably heard of it—the White House.

This is the setting of Netflix’s latest mystery-comedy-drama series, The Residence. Created by Paul William Davies, the show is inspired by the book The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower and revolves around the fictional murder of the White House chief usher, the head of household staff and operations.

The series pulls back the curtain on one of America’s most enduring institutions, where hundreds labour behind the scenes to ensure that everything, from major events to the president’s living quarters, runs seamlessly.

Throughout the show, there are anecdotes about past presidents and first families, including Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush and Bill Clinton. How we got from those administrations to President Morgan and his First Gentleman, Elliot, is left unexplained. But one thing is clear: this is another entry in the growing trend of creators envisioning diverse US presidents, from Zero Day and G20 (featuring a Black female president) to this show’s power couple. The only issue is that American voters clearly aren’t putting such candidates on the ballot.

Produced by Shondaland, the powerhouse behind Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder, the series stars Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, a Metropolitan Police Department consultant and avid birdwatcher. She is called in to investigate the death of Chief Usher AB Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito) during a state dinner for the Australian prime minister (played by Julian McMahon, son of Australia’s 20thPM, Sir William McMahon). When Wynter’s body is discovered in the White House’s private quarters, the interpersonal conflicts among its 157 staff members begin to unravel.

Like the Knives Out films, The Residence is subversive and satirical, juggling a sprawling cast and a twisty plot with finesse. It’s at its best when exploring human ambition — how people manipulate relationships to climb the ladder or bury secrets. This isn’t television that will change the world, but it delivers eight hours of stylish escapism.

The narrative flashes forward several months to a Congressional hearing, where newly appointed chief usher, Jasmine Haney (Susan Kelechi Watson), testifies about the night of AB’s death. Chaired by Senator Aaron Filkins (played by real-life former senator Al Franken) and frequently disrupted by Senator Margery Bay Bix (Eliza Coupe), the hearing dissects the misinformation and chaos surrounding the murder. Jasmine recounts her discovery of AB’s body, while other key figures, like Chief Larry Dokes (Isiah Whitlock Jr) and FBI Agent Edwin Park (Randall Park), also testify. This framing device lets the show recap itself periodically, dropping clues for viewers along the way.

Giancarlo Esposito delivers a strong performance as AB, but it is impossible not to wonder how Andre Braugher, originally cast in the role before his passing in December, would have elevated the show. Braugher’s mastery of tightly wound authority figures (see:Brooklyn Nine-Nine) would have been perfect here.Uzo Aduba, from Orange Is the New Black, is superb, balancing rigid brilliance with magnetic charm. Her character, Cupp, brings out the best in everyone; the cast shines brightest in scenes with her. A spirit of wit and warmth infuses the entire series.

Like the Knives Out films, The Residence is subversive and satirical, juggling a sprawling cast and a twisty plot with finesse. It’s at its best when exploring human ambition—how people manipulate relationships to climb the ladder or bury secrets. This isn’t television that will change the world, but it delivers eight hours of stylish escapism.

The writer is a digital communication expert. He is the mastermind behind digital platforms Sukhan, Mani’s Cricket Myths and Over The Line