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Shonda Rhimes’ “The Residence”: From Near Miss to Netflix Hit
Shonda Rhimes’ latest project, The Residence, a soapy murder mystery set within the iconic White House, nearly faced permanent cancellation after a shocking Hollywood sex scandal threatened to derail the series before it even began. The Netflix drama, inspired by Kate Andersen Brower’s book exploring White House staff dynamics, initially took a darker, politically charged path.
The Genesis of “The Residence”: A Political Drama
Inspired by Brower’s Book, Initially Envisioned as a “House of Cards” Style Series
Kate Andersen Brower’s non-fiction book, “The Residence,” which delves into the intricate “upstairs-downstairs” relationships between White House staff and presidential families, served as the foundation for the television adaptation. Brower, who previously covered the Obama administration, began writing her book in 2012. Upon its release in April 2015, the book, filled with compelling and humorous anecdotes from behind the scenes at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, quickly became a bestseller, attracting significant Hollywood attention.
According to Brower, the initial vision for “The Residence” TV series, spearheaded in the summer of 2015, leaned heavily into the political drama genre, akin to “House of Cards.” At that time, Kevin Spacey, prior to the emergence of sexual misconduct allegations, acquired the rights to produce the adaptation.
Kevin Spacey’s Involvement and the Project’s Setback
Development progressed on Spacey’s iteration of “The Residence,” which even included former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly as a co-executive producer. Dustin Lance Black, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of “Milk,” was enlisted by Spacey’s production company, Trigger Street, to craft the pilot script. Brower lauded Black’s contribution, describing the pilot as “wonderful” and emphasizing the intended tone as fictional, dark, and decidedly not comedic, mirroring the style of “House of Cards.” FX network was also reported to be involved in the early stages.
However, the project faced an abrupt halt in October 2017 when actor Anthony Rapp publicly accused Spacey of sexual misconduct dating back to 1986. While Spacey initially apologized, he later retracted the apology amidst subsequent legal challenges, including a civil lawsuit which was ultimately dismissed by a jury. Despite avoiding criminal convictions and maintaining his denial of over 50 misconduct accusations, the scandal effectively derailed Spacey’s involvement and the initial trajectory of “The Residence.” FX consequently decided not to move forward with the project.
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“The Residence” Revived: Shonda Rhimes Takes the Helm
Rhimes Optioned the Book in 2018, Shifting the Series’ Direction
The television rights to “The Residence” remained dormant until 2018, when Shonda Rhimes, renowned for her hit series like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal,” optioned Brower’s book. Brower expressed immense delight at this development, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of book-to-screen adaptations in Hollywood. She noted that Reese Witherspoon had previously optioned her book “First Women” without it reaching production, underscoring the uncertainty inherent in such projects.
A Lighter, More Lavish Adaptation Under Rhimes
Brower recognized that Rhimes’ adaptation, starring Uzo Aduba, would diverge significantly from Spacey’s initially conceived darker political drama. She anticipated a lighter, funnier, and more visually opulent series, characteristic of Rhimes’ signature production style. This shift in tone excited Brower, contrasting sharply with the previous, darker vision.
Collaboration and Trust in Rhimes’ Vision
Brower commended Paul William Davies, the showrunner for “The Residence,” highlighting his clear vision for the series. During a set visit in Los Angeles, Brower and her family met Davies and observed his approach firsthand. While not directly involved in the writing process, Brower expressed complete trust in Davies and Rhimes, recognizing their expertise in adapting her work for television. She emphasized her desire to avoid hindering the creative process, trusting in their ability to bring “The Residence” to the screen effectively.
Brower’s Positive Reception of the Final Product
Brower’s faith in Rhimes and Davies proved well-placed. Upon viewing the final edit, she expressed genuine enthusiasm, praising Davies’ work and emphasizing the successful capture of the power dynamics between the White House staff and the First Family—a central theme of her book and, in her view, the “soul of the show.”
Availability
All eight episodes of “The Residence” are currently available for streaming on Netflix.