In my recent conversation with the great Randall Park, I had the pleasure of diving into his role in The Residence, a gripping mystery series that combines the political savvy of The West Wing with the pulse of Scandal. What struck me most was Randall’s deep understanding of tone, character, and the subtle art of making audiences laugh when they least expect it.
The Balancing Act of Edwin Park
Randall plays Edwin Park, the straight-laced foil to Uzo Aduba’s brilliantly chaotic Cordelia. I shared how I admired the way he begins the series as the ultimate straight man, only to gradually peel back layers of humor and complexity. When I asked him about finding the right moments to shift between stoic and comedic, he told me:
“As the relationship progresses and their partnership progresses, he starts to feel freer. He’s not just there to stand behind her and listen, you know, he has something to contribute. And I think as he starts to open up in the series, you start seeing the more comedic sides of him.”
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His ability to do this has always stood out to me, even in roles like Fresh Off the Boat or a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment in Ant-Man. I mentioned the dinner scene in that film, which always makes me laugh, and Randall was gracious about the compliment.
Surprise: The Key Ingredient
I’ve always been fascinated by Randall’s knack for surprise comedy, and I asked whether it was a conscious technique. He explained:
“That’s key to comedy. When you play it straight and you’re there to kind of serve the scene, but then you just kind of pop out of nowhere with something surprising. It’s fun for the audience.”
It’s this unpredictability that makes Randall such a joy to watch. I even suggested he should teach it—because we’d all benefit.
Working With Greatness: Uzo Aduba
We also talked about Uzo Aduba, whose presence is a gravitational force in The Residence. I asked what it was like being on set with her, and Randall shared:
“We just clicked immediately. She’s just so down to earth, so funny, so fun. And also just such a generous, loving human being that it like immediately I just like was like I love Uzo, she’s the best. And so the whole shoot was just so fun. In large part, because of getting to hang out with Uzo every day but also to hang out with, you know, like you say the whole cast is stacked but they’re, they’re all they were all so such great people, you know, really good people.
And I think a lot of it is a testament to Uzo because she’s number one on the call sheet and she kind of sets the tone. And I think the tone that was set was one of professionalism but also just camaraderie and a good time.”
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That tone absolutely comes through in the show—even when the characters are at odds or under pressure.
Word-for-Word Precision
As someone who’s watched a lot of improv-heavy productions, I was surprised to learn there was zero improvisation in The Residence. When I asked about it, Randall explained:
“None. This show was a word-for-word show. Just do it as Paul wrote it and honor those words. And at first I thought it would be that would be really challenging just because I’m so used to doing improv, you know, to playing around and comedy and finding you know, giving different options and jokes and lines and you know. Whereas this one from the beginning just made very clear to us that we’re going to honor these words.
And in a way it was very freeing to do that. In large part because the writing was so good. And everything felt so natural to the characters that it wasn’t, you know, it wasn’t as big of a challenge as I thought it would be. And the show is just so funny, you know, and none of us had to improvise anything. It is really a testament to Paul William Davies.”
This explains why even the most chaotic exchanges feel crisp, deliberate, and still hilarious.
A Set That Speaks Volumes
The White House set itself plays a critical role in the immersion. I asked Randall about the detail and influence of such a vast and intricate environment, and he gave high praise to the crew:
“Basically a whole studio. Every soundstage was our show. And it just helped with the performances because as soon as we were in there, we were in the White House. It’s kind of like a good costume. An actor puts on a good costume and you just feel the character. And Lynn Paolo, our great costume designer, made sure we all felt our character in these beautiful costumes.
The set was really a part of that as well. It just made it so that as soon as we got to work, we were in the scenes. And I was truly wowed, like blown away by those sets. Just the attention to detail was just so high level that it was astounding for me, truly.”
Watching the show, I found myself pausing to admire how the characters moved within such a hyper-detailed world. That realism elevates everything.
A Resonant Experience
The Residence is more than a political thriller or murder mystery. It’s a testament to how great writing, committed performances, and careful craftsmanship can blend into something truly special. Randall Park’s performance is a highlight, and getting to talk with him about his process was equally rewarding.
The Residence is now streaming on Netflix.
About The Residence
Release Date: March 20, 2025
Episodes: 8 episodes x 1 hour
Creator/Showrunner/Writer/Executive Producer: Paul William Davies (Scandal, For the People)
Executive Producers: Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers
Inspired by the book The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower
Starring: Uzo Aduba, Giancarlo Esposito, Edwina Findley, Molly Griggs, Jason Lee, Ken Marino, Al Mitchell, Randall Park, Dan Perrault , Bronson Pinchot, Julieth Restrepo, Mel Rodriguez, Susan Kelechi Watson, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Mary Wiseman
Are you watching The Residence? Which moment with Randall Park caught you off guard in the best way? Would you want to see him lead a full-on comedy again? Let us know your thoughts on social media!
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