Uzo Aduba on creating a White House murder mystery

Summary

Post Reports Podcast Summary

Episode: Uzo Aduba on Creating a White House Murder Mystery
Release Date: March 21, 2025
Hosts: Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi
Guest: Uzo Aduba, Star of Netflix's The Residents

---

Introduction to The Residents and Uzo Aduba’s Role

In this engaging episode of Post Reports, host Cleve Wootson delves into the creation of Netflix’s new show, The Residents, featuring acclaimed actress Uzo Aduba. The conversation centers around Aduba's portrayal of Cordelia Cupp, a brilliant and eccentric detective navigating the intricate dynamics of the White House. The hosts explore how the show blends elements of a classic murder mystery with insightful commentary on societal and political structures.

Notable Quote:

“All eight episodes are out now. So now I know who done it. But as I get into with Uzo, this show is about more than just a murder and a mystery. It sheds light on some really uncomfortable things about Washington and on our society more broadly.”
— Cleve Wootson [01:34]

---

Character Analysis: Cordelia Cupp

Uzo Aduba’s character, Cordelia Cupp, is described as a modern Sherlock Holmes with a unique hobby—birding. The discussion highlights how Cordelia's keen observational skills and unorthodox methods make her a standout detective within the White House setting. Her ability to maintain a "bird's eye view" allows her to unravel complex cases while navigating the political landscape of power and secrecy.

Notable Quotes:

“She loves what she does. She takes her hobby of birding and applies it to her work as a detective. She doesn't come at cases looking at it eye to eye with people. She looks at it from a bird's eye view...”
— Chief of Staff [03:27]

“She actually doesn't fit in any system she enters ever, and she's completely okay with that. And that informed me so much about her authenticity and how she moves through the world.”
— Chief of Staff [04:35]

---

Set Design and Authenticity

The podcast delves into the meticulous set design of The Residents, emphasizing its authenticity in replicating the actual White House. Uzo Aduba shares her experience of touring the White House before filming, ensuring that the show's portrayal is both accurate and immersive. The conversation touches on specific details like the presence of two flags in the vestibule, which served as a crucial clue in the show's narrative.

Notable Quotes:

“It literally looked exactly like this. It was so exact. I feel like I could go to the White House now.”
— Uzo Aduba [14:17]

“I was so nervous when we got to the show and we're getting the tour, and I was like, please don't let us not have the 2 flag. I was like, we have the flags. We're in.”
— Uzo Aduba [14:17]

---

Themes of Representation and Invisible Labor

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the representation of marginalized groups within the White House setting. Uzo Aduba highlights how The Residents brings to light the invisible labor performed by roles such as maids, butlers, and other support staff who have historically been overshadowed by the political narrative. The show emphasizes the importance of these characters, portraying their contributions as integral to maintaining the legacy and functionality of the White House.

Notable Quotes:

“There's so much invisible labor that's always happening, you know, around the country, the world... But we've always been there.”
— Chief of Staff [08:09]

“These curators. It is those ushers, it's those historians, those engineers, butlers, doormen, maids who have managed to maintain the history and the legacy of that space.”
— Chief of Staff [17:19]

---

Insights on Storytelling and Political Dynamics

The hosts and guest discuss how The Residents offers a fresh take on White House narratives by focusing on the East Wing and other lesser-seen areas. This shift allows for a deeper exploration of the internal politics and interpersonal dynamics that exist beyond the traditionally spotlighted West Wing. The incorporation of a murder mystery provides a dynamic backdrop to explore themes of power, trust, and societal norms.

Notable Quotes:

“Paul William Davies had made it extremely interesting. These are incredibly rich characters. These are really incredibly rich. You get to peel back some of these stories...”
— Chief of Staff [08:09]

“I think what's great about the Residence is... politics don't only exist in the West Wing. They also exist in the East Wing as well.”
— Chief of Staff [08:09]

---

Representation of a Black Woman Detective

Uzo Aduba’s portrayal of Cordelia Cupp as a black woman in a position of intellectual authority provides a powerful commentary on representation in media. The show addresses the systemic challenges and biases Cordelia faces, highlighting her resilience and exceptionalism in overcoming marginalization. This aspect of the character serves as a mirror to broader societal issues, emphasizing the importance of diverse narratives in storytelling.

Notable Quotes:

“She is excellent at her job, and she is keenly aware of the subtle and maybe sometimes not so subtle individuals who have been brought in to assist her...”
— Chief of Staff [10:14]

“She knows humans. She knows our frailties. She knows our strengths... she is committed to holding on to the whole of herself and knows that whether people walk in with confidence in her abilities, she is going to outpace and outstep them.”
— Chief of Staff [10:53]

---

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of highlighting the often-overlooked individuals who sustain high-profile institutions like the White House. Uzo Aduba and the hosts emphasize that The Residents not only entertains but also educates audiences about the unseen facets of political power structures and the vital roles played by support staff.

Notable Quote:

“When we went into the White House, you know, of course we went to the West Wing... but I was really interested in dialing into those people and the work that they were doing...”
— Chief of Staff [17:19]

---

This episode of Post Reports offers a comprehensive look into The Residents, blending entertainment with insightful discussions on representation, authenticity, and the nuanced portrayal of political environments. Uzo Aduba’s involvement brings depth to the conversation, highlighting the significance of diverse voices in the creation of compelling and meaningful narratives.

Transcript

[President]

You want me to tell them they can't leave?

[Chief of Staff]

Yes, Mr. President.

[President]

Everyone?

[Chief of Staff]

Yes.

[President]

The Prime Minister of Australia.

[Chief of Staff]

Yes.

[President]

You think Prime Minister Roos killed A.B. winter?

[Chief of Staff]

Seems unlikely. But then finding a dead body on the third floor of the White House during a state dinner seems unlikely, too.

[President]

Why don't we let everyone go and then you can call back in the people that you need to talk to.

[Chief of Staff]

Because if we let them all go, then I won't know who I need to call back. Respectfully, Mr. President, this House needs to be treated like a crime scene. And we take statements at a crime scene. The best possible advantage we have is to find out what people saw and heard when those things are freshest in their mind. Right now, we have no idea who might have been involved in this. It could be someone from the staff, could be a guest, could be anybody. This is for your security as much as anything else. There may be a murderer out there or in here.

[Cleve Wootson]

Don't worry. This is not the latest crazy news out of Washington. This is a clip from the new Netflix show, the Residents. It just came out, but I binged most of a press copy ahead of my interview last week with its star, Uzo Aduba. I'm expressing just a slight amount of outrage. Netflix gave us outrage. Outrage. Seven episodes of eight.

[Chief of Staff]

Yes.

[Cleve Wootson]

And so I'm like, oh, I think I know who did it. I can't wait for this next one.

[Chief of Staff]

Who do you think?

[Cleve Wootson]

Well, I think it's the. Or whatever.

[Chief of Staff]

Okay.

[Cleve Wootson]

Can be looking at your face trying to see if I'm right or wrong. Clearly, I'm wrong. Okay.

[Chief of Staff]

Well, you should know by Cordelia Cups.

[Cleve Wootson]

Oh, yeah. Her countenance.

[Chief of Staff]

Her countenance that she gives nothing away. I, too, will not give anything away.

[Cleve Wootson]

From the newsroom of the Washington Post, this is Post Reports. I'm Cleve Wootson. I cover the real White House for the Post, and I'm your guest host. It's Friday, March 21st. Today, I'm talking to Uzo Aduba about the Residents, this new show on Netflix. All eight episodes are out now. So now I know who done it. But as I get into with Uzo, this show is about more than just a murder and a mystery. It sheds light on some really uncomfortable things about Washington and on our society more broadly. I started out by asking Uzo to tell me about her character who is just delightful. The brilliant but eccentric detective Cordelia cupped a modern Sherlock Holmes who is also a birder.

[President]

What is she doing?

[Cleve Wootson]

She's birding. Birding.

[Uzo Aduba]

Birding is a very popular Hobby. In fact, in many of our great national parks, I know what birding is.

[Cleve Wootson]

Why are we waiting for her? We're waiting for her because she is the best detective in the world.

[Chief of Staff]

Our showrunner, Paul William Davies, wrote, A woman who is very sharp. She's excellent at her job. She loves what she does. She takes her hobby of birding and applies it to her work as a detective. She doesn't come at cases looking at it eye to eye with people. She looks at it from a bird's eye view, takes that 3,000 foot high balcony assessment of everything that's going on. Even though she doesn't have any formal authority within the White House, she is not intimidated by those who do and who have their own agendas for keeping the secrets that exist there. That Sherlock Holmes element that you were talking about, I think you can see that, feel that in the way that she's dressed. Our costume designer, Lynn Paolo, who did the costumes for the show, she's a Brit herself. And she and I had been doing fittings, and we had the shirt and we had the vest, the jackets. We kept trying on different jackets. And she would say, she's, I want a superhero. I really want to find that superhero look for you, darling. Finally, we had a final fitt. She called me and she's like, dawni, I think this is it. And I was like, okay, let's put it on. And it was this tweed blazer with leather patches on the shoulder. And it was really reminiscent of that Sherlock Holmes traditional style of dress, but it really had also this modern twist. And I think for me, what that unpacked was understanding that when she came into the space, she was not gonna look like any person who was set there. And I think more specifically for a larger scope of who Cordelia is, I think she actually doesn't fit in any system she enters ever, and she's completely okay with that. And that informed me so much about her authenticity and how she moves through the world.

[Cleve Wootson]

Did you have to, like, make an effort to seem unimpressed? Because I cover the White House for a living. I go into the East Room and I'm like, ooh, touch this and explore that. And you know all the history there. And I think what I got from her, this vibe of not impressed by all the trappings of power.

[Chief of Staff]

I think she's the world's greatest detective. She's been in numerous rooms that have proximity to power in my backstory creation of who she is. So she's not blown away by that. I think what blew her away. Going to the White House, frankly, had less to do with the offices and more to do with the birds that she had the opportunity to checklist. You know, she had Theodore Roosevelt's White House birding list. Teddy Roosevelt was already known as a prominent birder before he became president. After his first year at Harvard, he published the Summer Birds of the Adirondack. I have a copy if you'd like to borrow it. But what's really exciting is when he got to the White House, he kept a journal with every bird he saw on the grounds. 93 birds, including 5 woodpeckers, 7 sparrows, and 20 warblers.

[Cleve Wootson]

So many warblers. Cordea.

[Chief of Staff]

I wanted a fight scene.

[Cleve Wootson]

Cordelia and I fid.

[Chief of Staff]

So that's thrilling to her, the awesomeness of that. She knows humans. She knows our frailties. She knows our strengths. She knows that she's not there for good cause. But those birds, they haven't done anything. They're still pure. They're still elevated and sacred. So, yeah, I think that was impressive to her, is why she needed to take a beat at the top of the show to just really take in all that she was getting the opportunity to experience.

[Cleve Wootson]

Let's talk about the House itself, because I think in a lot of movies or television shows about the White House, they focus on the parts that we know, you know, the Oval Office and the Situation Room. But this story is in kitchens. There's scenes in a bathroom. And I wonder if you can help us understand the purpose of that, seeing the things that we don't normally get to see.

[Chief of Staff]

We've seen stories about politics, D.C. the White House numerous times in the past, but I don't think we've ever seen a version that spotlighted the people who run the House. And I think what's really exciting about what Paul has done here is there's such a curiosity around places that have walls, you know, whether that's monasteries or the White House, places you can't just naturally enter. And I think it's been explored, the White House, from the political lens, but we haven't really ever been able to see all the people who are in the house, all the levels, subterranean and surface, that exist within the White House. And so I think choosing instead to concentrate more on the East Wing and another section of this massive historical monument at this point, you know, is a new way of storytelling in a world we're familiar. Rather than go sort of the traditional route, there's this whole group of people who have their own politics that sort of upstairs Downstairs experience of the house is what I think makes the show exciting. And to have it set against, you know, whodunit makes it equally as active.

[Cleve Wootson]

Yeah, it's almost like the most powerful people in the room, the president and the chief of staff are bit players or comic relief. I wonder, as a black actress, what it means to have a show that looks at people that are unseen.

[Chief of Staff]

Yeah, I mean, I think it's wonderful. I think it's great. There's so much invisible labor that's always happening, you know, around the country, the world that maybe perhaps people aren't necessarily paying attention to, but were always there. Those figures, those women, those black bodies have always been a part of the White House since its literal construction. Right. And the telling of those stories and those experience, not always the center, but always present, always in the rooms where it happened. Da dum dum, you know, those have always been a part of the experience specific to the White House, but thought to be less interesting. And I think what's great about the Residence is Paul William Davis had made it extremely interesting. These are incredibly rich characters. These are really incredible rich. You get to peel back some of these stories and learn more about them as individuals, what their lives were, what brought them to be here at the White House. To understand that politics don't only exist in the West Wing. They also exist in the East Wing as well. And there are layers there that are constantly at play and exciting.

[Cleve Wootson]

I mean, your character is at odds with some of these power structures. I think one of the earlier lines, there's a lot of dudes here, you know, or.

[Chief of Staff]

A lot of dudes.

[Cleve Wootson]

Yeah. Or, you know, someone says, like, this is. This is bigger than you.

[Chief of Staff]

Yeah.

[Uzo Aduba]

I know you enjoy a formidable reputation, Detective cup, and I respect that. I really do.

[Chief of Staff]

Oh, thank God.

[Uzo Aduba]

But you need to understand that this is not like any other place that you've ever worked. And I say that not knowing or caring where you've worked. I say that because there is no. No place like this place on earth. It is bigger than you, Demon.

[Chief of Staff]

The house is literally bigger than me, because that seems obvious. I'm inside the house.

[Cleve Wootson]

Your character's a black woman who is the smartest person in the room and trying to solve this crime. And at a lot of turns, folks are trying to marginalize her or minimize her. And to me, that says something about, you know, our society writ large.

[Chief of Staff]

Sure. I mean, I think what makes Cordelia cup great is that she is excellent at her job, and she is keenly aware of the subtle and maybe sometimes not so subtle. Individuals who have been brought in to assist her in doing her job due to their lack of belief, perhaps in her abilities, despite being missed.

[Cleve Wootson]

I'm here if you need anything.

[Chief of Staff]

I don't need anything. Well, if you do, what would I need? Federal resources like a tax refund?

[Cleve Wootson]

I'm here to help.

[Chief of Staff]

No, you're the guy they put on the case to make sure I don't put my nose in things that might be uncomfortable for everyone. And you're the guy who tries to undermine me when I tell them the truth. I've met 100 guys like you and I don't remember the name of a single one. As you said already, you know, that's not the first time that's happened to her. She's had that experience where the faith and trust that might be offered to another is not extended to her for a number of reasons. Because of her womanhood, her black womanhood, her blackness. But she didn't get here by accident. I don't know any person who's been set on the margins who's ever gotten anywhere by accident. And I don't think there's any exception here with Cordelia Cupp. And I think she is committed to holding on to the whole of herself and knows that whether people walk in with confidence in her abilities, she is going to outpace and outstep them.

[Cleve Wootson]

After the break, we talk about the actual White House and how this fictional show illuminates true things about the way it works. We'll be right back.

[Narrator]

Back.

[Mint Mobile Ad]

For years and years, I overpaid for wireless. But then I finally got fed up. The crazy high bills, bogus fees and quote unquote free perks that actually cost more in the long run became too much. Then I switched to Mint Mobile and the savings I'm seeing are incredible. Say goodbye to jaw dropping monthly bills because Mint Mobile is here with premium wireless plans starting at 15 bucks a month. All plans come with high speed data and unlimited talk and text delivered on the nation's largest 5G network. You can use your own phone and current number with any Mint mobile plan. Get three months of premium wireless service from Mint Mobile for 15 bucks a month. Shop [e-mail] reports. That's mintmobile.com reports upfront payment of $45 for three month 5GB plan required, equivalent to $15 per month new customer offer for first three months only. Then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See Mint Mobile for details.

[GoodRx Ad]

Are you looking to take control of your health? Well, one way to do that is to check out Goodrx and stop overpaying for your prescription medications. With Goodrx, you can find huge savings on your prescriptions for everything from GLP1 medications to remedies for your allergies and so much more. GoodRx is free and easy to use. Just search for any prescription on the GoodRx website or app, get your coupon, and show it to the pharmacist. In some cases, you can save up to 80% at pharmacies near you. Best of all, GoodRx works whether you have insurance or not. And even if you have insurance, GoodRx could beat your co pay price. You've heard me say this a few times now, but I've been suggesting Goodrx to my friends. They raved at the savings and how easy it was to find discounts for their prescriptions. Next time you need a prescription, you should check out Goodrx too. For simple, smart savings on your everyday prescriptions, go to goodrx.com reports. That's goodrx.com reports.

[Cleve Wootson]

Have you been to the actual White House?

[Chief of Staff]

Yes.

[Cleve Wootson]

To me, the set design looked wonderful because it's flawless. Yeah, like, I'm like, I've been in.

[Chief of Staff]

These rooms before, 1,000%. I went on a tour I don't know, maybe three weeks before. We shot this show for research purpose and got to go up and down and throughout the courthouse. And I remember the member from the social secretary team who brought us there. We were outside the blue room and those two flags that are there in that main hallway, the vestibule. He had made the comment then he said, you know, a lot of shows don't have these two flags out here. And that is one of the clues and tells that they haven't done their research, you know, and so if you guys don't have these two flags out here, we're gonna know this is, like, the one thing that constantly often gets missed. And I was like, okay, no, thank you for telling me that. And I was so nervous when we got to the show and we're getting the tour, and I'm like, please don't let us not have the 2 flag. I was like, we have the flags. We're in. But it was wild to have gone three weeks prior. And, you know, I have it very fresh in my mind and memory, and then I'm walking through it, and I was like, this is exactly what this looked. It literally looked exactly like this. It was so exact. I feel like I could go to the White House now. And if I needed to go to the bathroom. Or somebody was like, oh, let me show you the way. I'd be like, I got it. I know where it is. I know where I'm going. It was that accurate?

[Cleve Wootson]

Yeah. The only thing I found a little. I've been in the White House. I've never been to the residence. I didn't know there was a third floor until a week ago, actually. I was like, oh, there's more in here. But there's always this sense, I think somebody says this in the script, like, you know, of a museum quality that I. That I'm being watched. There's men with guns ready to barge in at a moment's notice. Do not touch anything.

[Chief of Staff]

Yes.

[Cleve Wootson]

And it seemed a little odd to have. You need this in a TV show. Quiet moments where two people are having a conversation. I don't know that I could have a quiet moment in a conversation in the White House just because there's always someone around.

[Chief of Staff]

Yeah. You know, I mean, and that's probably where dramatic license comes into play a little bit. Right. Because the murder had to happen somehow. So. But, yeah, you know, I mean, when I was there, I think the President was out of town, so it was kind of different. Yeah, definitely. Different vibe. But there were areas that were quieter. I won't say, you know, isolated, definitely. You're seeing Secret Service in the hallway, you know, just doing their thing, chilling in a chair by a door, Always watching a hallway. Always watching. Right. But there are areas of quiet spaces, I think, to sort of tuck in and maybe have a little quick whispered conversation, and then to go down, and it's floor after floor, and there's all these ways you can come up, different ways to get into. You know, it was just amazing.

[Cleve Wootson]

Were you more cognizant of the people given the maids or the butlers or the military folks that are. Whose sole job is to be kind of an usher or whatever?

[Chief of Staff]

Most definitely. I was most definitely paying attention to that because that's where, you know, our show is centered. There are so many people always all around us working. And I think there are some people who don't pay attention to them, and there are some people who do. And I think what's great about the residents is it forces us to pay attention to those people. So when we went into the White House, you know, of course we went to the West Wing. We saw all of those great and incredible awesome things, but I was really interested in dialing into those people and the work that they were doing, because if there's anything that can be spotlighted by Hollywood bringing the light back to D.C. is that all work is important. And the truth of the matter is who we think runs that house, who has kept the integrity of that building over the hundreds of years of its existence, are those people. It is those curators. It is those ushers, it's those historians, those engineers, butlers, doormen, maids who have managed to maintain the history and the legacy of that space. Space. And we have much to be thankful to them for.

[Cleve Wootson]

Thank you so much for giving us some of your time today. I really appreciate it.

[Chief of Staff]

Thank you so much for having me. This is great.

[Cleve Wootson]

Uzo Aduba is an actor and the star of the new Netflix show the Residents. All eight episodes are out now. That's it for Post reports. Thanks for listening. Today's show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Maggie Penman. Our team also includes Rena Flores, Lucy Perkins, Ilana Gordon, Ariel Plotnick, Bishop Sand, Renny Sirnowski, Sabi Robinson, Emma Talkoff, Shawn Carter, Peter Breslin, Laura Benchoff, Kobe Itkowicz, Elahe Izadi, Martine Powers, Allison Michaels and Renita Jablanta. I'm Cleve Wootzen. We'll be back on Monday with more stories from the Washington Post.

[Narrator]

Think about why you listen to podcasts. It's like having a friend who makes you think or can help you wind down right? Well, the Washington Post has a lot of people you can turn to at any hour. You can read the most important and interesting stories. We can help you cook something delicious, give you advice on a tricky friendship. Rave about a movie or book that you shouldn't miss. When you become a Washington Post subscriber, you have a companion for whatever part of your day needs it most. Get it all for just $4 every four weeks. That's for an entire year. After that, it's just $12 every four weeks. Cancel anytime. Go to washingtonpost.com subscribe. That's washingtonpost.com subscribe.