Uzo Aduba stars in a captivating new comedy murder mystery on Netflix, titled The Residence. Her role as Detective Cordelia Cupp feels like a delightful extension of her beloved character from Orange is the New Black. In this 2025 Netflix original series, Aduba embodies the role of a brilliant detective who possesses a Sherlock Holmes-like intellect and an avid passion for birdwatching, alongside her quest to unravel a perplexing murder case. Aduba’s remarkable portrayal brings a unique charm to The Residence, allowing it to rise above the multitude of contemporary murder mysteries available today. This latest performance is another testament to Aduba’s exceptional talent and versatility as an actress.
Uzo Aduba first captured the public’s attention with her iconic role as Suzanne Warren (also known as Crazy Eyes) in the popular Netflix series Orange is the New Black, a role she played from 2013 until the show’s finale in 2019. While both The Residence and Orange is the New Black are Netflix originals, they differ significantly in tone and content. The characters portrayed by Aduba in each series are also markedly different; Suzanne was a complex prison inmate, while The Residence‘s Cordelia Cupp is a celebrated detective. Nonetheless, the intriguing similarities between these two characters are hard to overlook.
Detective Cordelia Cupp: A Fascinating Parallel to Uzo Aduba’s Iconic Orange Is The New Black Character
Suzanne and Cordelia: A Study in Quirkiness
Throughout her career, spanning from Orange is the New Black to The Residence, Aduba has consistently showcased her extraordinary ability to portray quirky, memorable characters. Both Suzanne and Cordelia are uniquely eccentric within their narratives, each possessing a distinct perspective on the world around them. Aduba skillfully conveys this uniqueness through her expressive line delivery and distinctive vocal rhythm. In Orange is the New Black, Suzanne was often perceived as childlike by others, yet it became increasingly evident that she possessed a profound intelligence and wisdom that belied her circumstances. Although she was a criminal, her actions were shaped by a series of unfortunate events that were beyond her control.
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Netflix’s The Residence contains praiseworthy performances, a smart and tight script, and a comedic tone that will entertain all audiences.
While Cordelia in The Residence is not a criminal by any means, one can’t help but ponder the possibility that this quirky detective represents who Suzanne could have evolved into under different life circumstances. Although the narratives of The Residence and Orange is the New Black share no direct connections, the parallels between Suzanne and Cordelia provide an imaginative lens through which to view The Residence as a fictional narrative born from Suzanne’s own creativity.
Orange is the New Black is available to stream on Netflix.
Imagining The Residence as a Story Crafted by Suzanne
Envisioning Suzanne as the Protagonist Detective in Her Own Murder Mystery
Since The Residence is a classic whodunit, this murder mystery sounds exactly like something Suzanne would have invented.
Aduba’s character in Orange is the New Black was known for her creativity, often crafting stories to entertain her fellow inmates. Given that The Residence is structured as a classic whodunit, it seems entirely plausible that this murder mystery could be a tale that Suzanne herself would have devised. Naturally, she would have cast herself as the central character—the quirky detective who is often misunderstood yet always seems to be one step ahead of everyone else. While this interpretation may not align with Netflix’s original intention, the brilliance of Aduba’s performances in both series invites viewers to enjoy The Residence as a whimsical narrative conceived within Suzanne’s imaginative mind.
The Residence
- Release Date
- 2025 – 2024
- Network
- Netflix
- Directors
- Liza Johnson
- Writers
- Paul William Davies