Screenwriting : OBSESSED: Writing on Netflix's WhoDunIt "The Residence" by Karen "Kay" Ross

Karen "Kay" Ross

OBSESSED: Writing on Netflix's WhoDunIt "The Residence"

I'm doing a bit of research for an upcoming BLOG, and stumbled upon this great behind-the-scenes video about the WRITING on Netflix's "The Residence". It's SO well-written AND... get this, THERE'S ONLY ONE WRITER FOR ALL EIGHT (8) EPISODES! How weird is that? But also - BRILLIANT!

AND it's an ensemble...

AND it's a comedy, as well as a murder mystery...

AND it's a SHONDALAND production!

Ob. SESSED!

What are you loving about this series right now? SHARE IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRWiAsiSgH0

Ashley Renee Smith

The tone, pacing, and character voices are so consistent. It’s rare to see a murder mystery this playful and emotionally grounded.

And yes to the ensemble! Everyone brings something unique to the story, but it never feels overcrowded. It’s such a feat of structure and character juggling, definitely a great case study for screenwriters looking to balance tone and ensemble arcs.

What blew me away was how the comedy never undercuts the stakes; if anything, it heightens them!

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