The Residence's Main Senator Casting Makes The Netflix Show's White House Scandal Feel Way Too Real

Netflix's new murder mystery series, The Residence, marks executive producer Shonda Rhimes' return to White House scandals with a behind-the-scenes detail that makes it feel all the more real. The series follows Cordelia Cupp, an avid bird watcher and talented detective who is called in to investigate the death of the Chief Usher in the White House. The Residence's cast is led by Uzo Aduba as Cupp with great supporting stars who perfectly balance comedy and drama.

After Cupp's arrival, she is met with resistance at every turn, making it even more difficult to find out who could be the killer. After several twists, The Residence's ending finally reveals the killer and why they targeted A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito). The Chief Usher's death in The Residence is complicated, thanks to the numerous people he interacted with that night who could have wanted him dead. While some are determined to rule the death a suicide, Cupp eventually solves the mystery, and the Senate hearings afterward help illuminate that timeline.

Former US Senator Al Franken Plays Senator Filkins In The Residence

Filkins Oversees The Congressional Hearings About The Crime

While the majority of The Residence's story takes place in the White House as Detective Cupp investigates the murder of Chief Usher Wynter, it is interjected with scenes showing the hearings concerning the crime. In these scenes, which depict various characters being interviewed about what they witnessed that evening, the senate committee overseeing the hearing is led by a real former U.S. Senator, Al Franken. In The Residence, Franken plays a senator named Aaron Filkins who at first seems convinced that the death was a suicide despite the evidence that the witnesses share.

Franken's character is entertaining as he initially tries to keep the witness stories on track and move toward a swift conclusion, but the committee is often interrupted by outbursts from different members who disagree, especially a Senator Bix (Eliza Coupe). The two quickly get into arguments over Cupp's investigation and whether Wynter's death was murder. Despite the more ridiculous aspects of the mock senate hearing, Franken's appearance adds an interesting touch.

Beyond SNL, Franken has hosted various radio and television talk shows both about politics and more comedic topics, showing that he has plenty of experience in both fields to take on this role in The Residence.

While it may appear to be just another funny cameo for a former senator to play a senator in the series, Al Franken is certainly no stranger to comedy. Before becoming a politician, Franken served as a writer for Saturday Night Live during its early years and occasionally appeared in roles on the show. Beyond SNL, Franken has hosted various radio and television talk shows both about politics and more comedic topics, showing that he has plenty of experience in both fields to take on this role in The Residence.

Al Franken Was Inspired By Other US Senators For His Role In The Residence

Franken Drew His Character From Other Senators

Despite having his own experience of serving in the U.S. Senate for nearly a decade, Franken chose not to base his character solely on himself. Instead, he was inspired by other senators for his role. When speaking to The Hill recently, Franken shared that he modeled the character on several Republican senators. In particular, Franken cited Chuck Grassley, Lamar Alexander, and Lindsey Graham as his inspirations for the character of Filkins.

Uzo Aduba hoding binoculars in The Residence

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While Franken told The Hill that "he saw the character as a Democrat," it is interesting to see how older Republican senators shaped the role. His persona is very clearly meant to contrast with the younger committee members in the process who get more involved in hearing the story, and he seems less willing to accept the facts. Franken's character is modeled off several people who he feels are "avuncular," but he also admitted that there are clear moments where these senators and his own character stray from their composed personas.

Casting A Real US Senator Made The Residence's Hearings Feel Much More Legitimate

Casting A Former Senator Gives The Series A Hint Of Reality Within Its Comedic Moments

The Residence's focus on a murder mystery could be quite serious, but instead, the comedy is arguably the best part of the series. Cordelia Cupp and her line delivery are hilarious and often surprisingly wholesome as she uncovers who could have killed the Chief Usher. Likewise, the Senate hearing scenes in the show often devolve quickly into silly arguments, but Franken's presence as a real former senator gives them a slight note of reality that makes the comedy even better.

Giancarlo Esposito nodding and smiling in The Residence

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These sequences rely on being an effective satire of what a real Senate hearing looks like. Though, of course, real senators disagree over issues all the time, the show's shouting matches between Filkins and Bix take that to a funny extreme. However, having Franken play Filkins gives the show a sense of legitimacy with someone familiar with real Senate hearings overseeing the fictional proceedings. Though these scenes may not be the biggest part of the show, Franken's presence is entertaining and adds an extra layer to the scandal in The Residence.

Source: The Hill