The Residence: Behind the Silver Platters
- beyourownkind
- Apr 11
- 5 min read
The White House is comprised of 132 rooms, 32 bathrooms, 147 windows, 3 elevators, and 8 staircases. There are approximately 90–100 full-time employees responsible for maintaining the White House and ensuring it functions smoothly throughout each presidential administration. Some of these employees have worked there for generations and are privy to fascinating behind-the-scenes details. Honestly, I never gave much thought to how the White House operates until I watched the mystery thriller The Residence on Netflix.
I’m a sucker for a murder mystery—and a fan of Uzo Aduba, who plays the world-renowned detective Cordelia Cupp. In the series, Detective Cupp shares facts about birding and the art of deductive reasoning. I loved this angle, because in today’s world, we often take in information without questioning it. A great example is watching a clip on social media and jumping to conclusions without seeing the full context—but I digress.
The Residence isn’t just a compelling murder mystery centered around the death of White House Chief Usher A.B. Wynter (played by Giancarlo Esposito). It also uncovers secrets about power, class, and race—while highlighting the unsung heroes responsible for the daily functioning of one of the most important residences in the United States.
Power Lives Upstairs, Reality Lives Downstairs
Although none of the employees live in the White House (aside from designated rest areas for events), the First Family are the true residents. The staff ensures that all of their human needs are met while upholding the traditions of the home. At the center of it all is the Chief Usher—the person responsible for making sure everyone stays on task, watching the budget, overseeing move-ins and move-outs, and more.
The Residence does an excellent job capturing the essence of the Chief Usher role—a position that demands structure, diplomacy, and resilience. It’s a powerful yet often thankless job, especially during administrative transitions. The Chief Usher is also the voice of the staff, someone who ensures the employees are heard and supported. In my opinion, this role is crucial to maintaining balance in the White House.
In the show, power struggles are front and center. Although the staff keeps the house running, their efforts are often minimized—they're treated merely as “the help.” Without spoiling the ending, the identity of the killer comes as a surprise precisely because of their social class. Favoritism and nepotism within the administration created tension and stress, offering a reminder of the class divides still present in powerful institutions.
Although full-time White House staff salaries range from $40,000 to $120,000 annually, no matter their compensation, they are often still viewed as “the help.” Even though The Residence is fictional, Shonda Rhimes seems intentional in highlighting these dynamics. Take Angella Reid, for example—the first Black woman to serve as White House Chief Usher in 2011. A Jamaican native, she didn’t follow the typical military or political path but instead rose through luxury hotel management. Her tenure, however, ended quietly in 2017 with the shift from the Obama to the Trump administration—a departure that caused a stir, considering most ushers serve for decades.
This brings me to the hierarchy within the White House. The Chief Usher often serves as the institutional memory and backbone of the staff. Their departure—especially when it happens abruptly—can cause internal upheaval. In the series, staff members had internal conflicts, but they never allowed those tensions to show in front of the administration. The Chief Usher, despite sometimes being the most disliked figure among the staff, was essential to their unity. Ironically, Wynter’s commitment to tradition and order ultimately led to his downfall.
The People Who Keep the White House Running vs. Authority
While the public sees the White House as a symbol of national grandeur, what goes unseen is the nearly 100-member residence staff that keeps everything running. From butlers and florists to chefs and electricians, every inch of the 132-room mansion is meticulously maintained. About 25–30 housekeepers keep the home spotless. A small but mighty culinary team, led by an Executive Chef and Pastry Chef, prepares everything from formal dinners to midnight snacks. Ushers and butlers coordinate logistics and ceremonies, while engineers and electricians maintain essential systems behind the scenes.
Many of these employees serve for decades, their loyalty enduring through multiple administrations, regardless of political leanings. The Residence fictionalizes their world but reminds us that the seat of power rests on the shoulders of those whose names we may never know.
While the staff kept the house running, the show also highlighted the internal power struggle among government agencies. After Wynter’s death, the FBI, MPD, and CIA all vied to take over the investigation—not necessarily to find the truth, but to avoid scrutiny over major security breaches. Enter Detective Cupp, who made it her mission to speak with the staff—people who had been otherwise ignored. While the authorities wanted to rule it a suicide, Cupp connected with the staff, former employees, and even a curious neighbor across the street. Her methods were unconventional and often dismissed, but ultimately, she earned everyone's respect by staying true to herself.
Wynter’s death left the staff vulnerable. Many had been reprimanded that same night and suddenly found themselves unprotected. If it weren’t for Detective Cupp, they might have been scapegoated. The administration brought in new staff who didn’t value tradition, shaking up the house’s internal dynamics. That’s why changes in leadership can be so destabilizing—especially when long-standing staff lose the one person who truly understands how things are supposed to work.
Race, Class, and Generational Sacrifice
I loved the representation of Black and brown characters in the series—and I wouldn't expect anything less from Shonda Rhimes. She’s known for creating strong Black women in leadership roles, and Detective Cupp was no different (though she didn’t talk as fast as Olivia Pope!).
The show also brought to mind the real-life legacy of Black domestic workers in America, especially those who upheld homes through generations—often without acknowledgment. In the case of the White House, enslaved Black people were responsible for building the house itself and were the first to serve within it. Their contributions have rarely been properly recognized, even though they bore witness to history being made.
Here are a few of those unsung heroes:
Alonzo Fields, the first Black Chief Butler, served four presidents with dignity and often acted as a quiet confidant.
Eugene Allen, whose journey from pantry worker to head butler inspired the film The Butler, served eight presidents across decades.
Dessie Carraway, a skilled seamstress and maid, preserved elegance through her attention to detail.
Iris Metz, who helped usher in modernization during her time in administrative leadership.
These individuals were the soul of the White House, bringing wisdom, strength, and a legacy of excellence that shaped the nation's most iconic residence.
Final Thoughts: Whose Story Matters?
The Residence shines a light on the overlooked and the unheard. By the end of the series, the people who once went unnoticed were finally seen—and valued. Detective Cupp’s quirks and steadfastness showed us the power of authenticity. When you stick to who you are, even if it’s not always accepted, you earn respect.
The show made me ask: What stories are we missing by only listening to those in power? Everyone has a story that can impact the world, and we shouldn't dismiss people based on their title or status. And if you're someone who feels your story doesn’t matter—think again.
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