#SoloStories: “Elsbeth” and “The Residence”

SoloStories is our feature in which we explore books, films and TV shows that show single women navigating their lives – but romance is not the main component.

In her great book, “I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself,” writer Glynnis MacNichol points out that many mystery shows led by women are single.

It’s the case from “Murder She Wrote” with the widowed Jessica Fletcher and “Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries” with Phryne Fisher. Our favorite book series, the alphabet mystery series from Sue Grafton, features the resolutely single Kinsey Milhone.

So it’s no surprise that the characters in two new shows, “Elsbeth” and “The Residence” are happily single.

Not only are both women unmarried, but they both thrive on their quirkiness. In “The Residence,” Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba) is the world’s greatest detective investigating a murder in the White House. She is focused on the job, only pausing to find birds in the area.

In “Elsbeth,” the main character is an attorney on a consent decree who follows police detectives to make sure they’re following correct procedure – only to end up solving the case. Elsbeth, a character spun off from “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight,” wears bold, colorful outfits and carries at least three tote bags at once.

They’re mostly seen on the job, with only occasional glimpses at their personal life. But it’s notable they see things differently from others. Those powers of observation are something single people build when they are alone.

They don’t mind being single, either. When Cupp is asked about her status, she adamantly says she doesn’t want to be married.

Elsbeth is divorced with a grown son and has a flirtation with a guy in Scotland. In one sequence, the other characters are seen with their significant others while she’s seen eagerly poring over the many treasures in her tote bags. Her beau pings her, but she was already happy and she’s always going to be content with who she is.

Cordelia and Elsbeth may seem like odd ducks, but they care for others and want justice. Being single helps them become who they are.