Netflix has reportedly canceled The Residence after just one season. The Shondaland comedic murder mystery, which premiered on March 20, 2025, starred Uzo Aduba and Giancarlo Esposito among an ensemble cast.
Despite featuring high-profile talent and the backing of Shonda Rhimes’ production company, the show won’t return for a second season on the streaming platform.
Why did The Residence Season 2 get canceled?
The comedy thriller The Residence Season 2 reportedly was cancelled due to unsatisfactory ratings. A Deadline report claims the show’s release date played a factor in its ratings. Netflix’s limited series Adolescence overshadowed the show, becoming a cultural phenomenon and dominating viewership charts for weeks.
The report mentioned that the high cost of The Residence could be another reason behind its cancellation. The show featured an elaborate production, including extensive VFX work and Netflix’s largest-ever White House recreation. The whole set reportedly contained seven stages built with 10 miles of molding, 200 working doors, and 144,000 pounds of flooring.
To renew the show, there were several “conversations” about how to cut down the budget for Season 2, the report suggested. However, the makers of the show could not materialize the plan. It is important to note that Netflix has not officially revealed any reasons for the show’s cancellation.
Among other Netflix shows that unfortunately faced cancellation this week is Pulse. The medical drama featuring Willa Fitzgerald and Colin Woodell will not return for its Season 2.
Both Pulse and The Residence performed decently in viewership compared to other releases. The dramas reportedly spent four weeks in Netflix’s global Top 10. Pulse peaked at number 3 with a whopping 8.5 million views.
The Residence, on the other hand, reached number 2 with 8.8 million views. However, both canceled shows fell short of the recently renewed Ransom Canyon, which also spent four weeks in the Top 10 and peaked at number 2 with 9.4 million views during its first full week.
Fans have mixed reactions regarding the cancellation of The Residence. While some viewers think that the Shondaland production is better off being a limited series, others wished for the intriguing storyline to expand beyond the White House premise.
One fan wrote on Reddit, “The Residence was good. Being cancelled isn’t a big deal since everything was answered by the end of the season.” Another noted, “The Residence had all the ingredients of being a good show. Strong cast. Strong creator. Interesting premise.”
