Uzo Aduba's New Netflix Comedy Unexpectedly Pays Off Her Orange Is The New Black Role

Uzo Aduba has a new comedy whodunit on Netflix titled The Residence, and her leading role feels like an unexpected continuation of her quirky Orange is the New Black character. In the 2025 Netflix original, Aduba plays Detective Cordelia Cupp, a Sherlock Holmes-like genius who loves birding as much as solving an impossible murder. The actor plays this role to perfection, allowing The Residence to stand out in a sea of modern murder mysteries. Of course, this is far from Aduba’s first excellent performance.

Aduba first gained widespread recognition for playing Suzanne Warren (AKA Crazy Eyes) on Netflix’s Orange is the New Black, a role which she held from 2013 to the series’ conclusion in 2019. Aside from being Netflix originals, The Residence and Orange is the New Black share very little in common. There are significant differences in Aduba’s characters for each series as well since Suzanne was a prison inmate while The Residence‘s Cordelia Cupp is a renowned detective. Still, it’s difficult to ignore the surprising parallels between them.

Detective Cordelia Cupp Is Surprisingly Similar To Uzo Aduba’s Orange Is The New Black Character

Suzanne & Cordelia Are Similarly Quirky

Between Orange is the New Black and The Residence, Aduba has proven a skill for portraying quirky characters. Both Suzanne and Cordelia are regarded as deeply strange within their respective stories. It’s clear that they see the world differently than those around them, and Aduba masterfully expresses this through her line delivery and vocal cadence. In Orange is the New Black, Suzanne was often treated like a child, but it became clear over time that she as far more intelligent (even wise) than people assumed. She was a criminal, but only because of unfortunate circumstances outside her control.

The Residence Review: Netflix’s Witty Murder Mystery Series Captivated, Shocked & Humored Me Throughout All 8 Episodes

Netflix’s The Residence contains praiseworthy performances, a smart and tight script, and a comedic tone that will entertain all audiences.

The Residence‘s Cordelia is obviously not a criminal, but it’s interesting to consider that this quirky detective is who Suzanne could have been under different circumstances. This Netflix mystery and Orange is the New Black share no canon connection, but given the similarities between Suzanne and Cordelia, it’s fun to imagine that The Residence is really just a self-inserted story of Suzanne’s invention.

Orange is the New Black is available to stream on Netflix.

The Residence Could Almost Be One Of Suzanne’s Stories

Suzanne Could’ve Written Herself As A Detective In A Murder Mystery

Since The Residence is a classic whodunit, this murder mystery sounds exactly like something Suzanne would have invented.

Aduba’s character was intensively creative in Orange is the New Black and would write stories for her fellow inmates’ entertainment. Since The Residence is a classic whodunit, this murder mystery sounds exactly like something Suzanne would have invented. She naturally would have inserted herself as the primary character—the strange detective no one understands but who is one step ahead of everyone else. This is most certainly not what Netflix intended, but given Aduba’s spectacular performances in both series, it’s fun to think of The Residence as a piece of fiction created within Suzanne’s own mind.