The cancellation by Netflix of “The Residence”, a highly anticipated show that was an unusual mix of comedy and suspense ended abruptly, after just one season.
The Residence, based on a nonfiction baook that details life in the White House captured audience’s attention quickly. With an impressive 8.4 rating on Douban and accolades from critics for its clever writing and engaging performances–especially from Emmy-winning actress Uzo Aduba–the show seemed poised for success. It was a tantalizing premise: a corpse is found at a state dinner in the White House among guests, staff and other suspects.
Aduba’s portrayal of Cordelia Cap was notable. She played a sophisticated yet charming detective who has to solve a murder. Aduba brought depth and levity to an otherwise grim story. Aduba character charmed the audience with her eccentricities, and they were eager to crack the case.
Netflix
Netflix’s razor-sharp business sense led it to make the exact opposite decision. The project was stopped midway through filming due to Hollywood strikes. Only four of the eight planned episodes were completed. Unforeseeable events that caused casting changes also increased the strain on resources. The death of Andrew Blauer, a veteran actor in the production process, necessitated recastings which added to costs. Netflix uses strict criteria to determine whether or not to renew an episode. Netflix has strict criteria for determining whether to renew a show.
Why Netflix Cancels Popular Series the Residence
The show’s position was maintained in the ranking the following week, despite only having four days available in the week that ended March 23. The show lost viewers afterward, but it still ranked in Netflix’s Top 10 for another two weeks. This trend is not unique. Other shows like Kevin Williamson’s “The Waterfront” have also suffered similar fates, according to recent reports. It was also highly praised at the beginning of The Waterfront’s run, but it did not get renewed due to both behind-the-scenes challenges and low viewer engagement.
The Residence was cancelled for a number of reasons. Only two English-language scripted shows, The Night Agent and Ginny & Georgia, made it to the top 10, at 9 and 10. Adolescence, Zero Day, Missing You, and Sirens, four limited series, ranked #1, #2, and #3. The Residence was canceled for a number of reasons.
Netflix Cancels Popular Series the Residence, the comedy White House murder-mystery starring Uzo Adua, was ranked #23 in terms of views, with 33,3 million from March 20, to June 30, 2016. Pulse, the new medical drama starring Willa Fitzgerald and Colin Woodell ranked #30, with 26.8 million views since April 3. Season 2 of the spy drama The Recruit starring Noah Centineo was at #34 after garnering 24.1 millions views since its premiere on January 30, while the first season ranked #47 with 19.1 million viewers in its first six-month period.
We regret the decision to cancel beloved stories because they were based solely on figures calculated in secret, and not on relationships formed between characters we’ve grown fond of over time. We mourn another story cut short.
