Netflix has decided to end its run of ‘The Residence,’ canceling the series along with another freshman offering, ‘Pulse.’ While ‘Pulse’ faced criticism and struggled to gain traction, ‘The Residence’ received generally positive reviews and a solid viewership.
Upon its debut on March 20, 2025, ‘The Residence’ quickly climbed the ranks to become Netflix’s second most-watched show, just behind the hugely popular ‘Adolescence.’ It maintained this position for another week and remained among the top ten shows for two additional weeks, even as viewership began to decline.
The premiere of ‘Pulse’ on April 3, 2025, contributed to ‘The Residence’ slipping down the charts. Both shows managed to stay in Netflix’s Global Top 10 for four weeks, but ‘Adolescence’ continued to dominate as the service’s second-most-watched English-language TV show of all time.
The cancellation of ‘The Residence’ after a single season is disheartening, particularly as it showcased significant potential. Despite some flaws, such as its season finale, which left viewers wanting more, the strengths of the show were noteworthy. Uzo Aduba shone as Cordelia Cupp, the brilliant detective, with strong performances from Randall Park, Giancarlo Esposito, Ken Marino, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and Susan Kelechi Watson adding to the ensemble’s appeal. Produced by Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland, the series featured stunning production values, including a nearly full-scale replica of the White House created at Raleigh Studios.
The intricate set design included 132 rooms across seven stages, with 10 miles of molding and 200 functional doors, epitomizing the show’s high production costs—an aspect that weighs heavily in today’s less forgiving streaming landscape.
Originally, ‘The Residence’ planned to transition into an anthology format, with Cupp tackling a new case each season. However, with the series’ abrupt end, much of the investment in its lavish production appears to have been in vain.
While the narrative had its merits, the season finale ultimately disappointed, failing to deliver a satisfying conclusion characteristic of great whodunits. Viewers found it hard to piece together clues alongside Cupp, making it frustrating when the resolution felt out of reach.
The finale also concluded with a perplexing scene that lacked relevance, adding to the critiques of the storytelling. After solving the central mystery, Cupp makes a detour to have an inconsequential conversation with a minor character, rather than addressing more pressing matters from the story.
The series included a running gag involving Hugh Jackman, who, while never appearing on screen, loomed large in the storyline but contributed to an underwhelming climax. Critics suggest that his inclusion was intended as comedic relief but instead became a symbol of the show’s missed opportunities and self-imposed letdowns.
In summary, while ‘The Residence’ fell short in closing its story arc, it radiated potential and excitement that many hope was only suppressed by an unfairly swift cancellation.
