The White House 1600 Sessions: Recreating the White House: Netflix and Shondaland's "The Residence"

U.S. Presidents and the White House have been depicted on film, television, and now on streaming platforms, for over a century. The White House facade and reproductions of the Oval Office are instantly recognizable and often help in the telling of a story. Sometimes, the White House even becomes a main character like in The Residence, a Netflix and Shondaland series released in 2025. The comedic murder mystery set in the White House during a fictional presidency features a unique look at the Executive Mansion and at the hardworking residence staff who operate behind the scenes. But when you see the actors walking through the rooms of the White House, those are sets or visual effects. White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin sits down with production designer François Audouy at the Netflix - Epic Studios in Los Angeles, California to talk about what it takes to bring the White House to life on the screen. François is a master of creating incredible worlds and landscapes for film and television, and earned an Emmy nomination for his work on The Residence. See and hear about the incredible research and attention to detail it took to build the largest recreation ever of the White House. For example, the production filled seven sound stages, used 10 miles of molding, 200 working doors, and 144,000 pounds of flooring! Many rooms in the White House are rarely photographed, so if you’ve ever wondered what the White House kitchen or basement looks like, or if there are hidden stairways and doors, this is perhaps the closest you’ll get to seeing the real thing. Find all our podcasts at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the... #whitehousehistory #whitehousehistory #whha #netflix #shondaland