Onto the next mystery! Only Murders in the Building continues to find resounding success on Hulu by getting a renewal weeks after its second season started to air.
“Only Murders in the Building is the true crown jewel of our slate. Its appeal across generations, the intersection of humor and heart, and its truly original approach are a hallmark of and testament to Dan [Fogelman], John [Hoffman], Steve [Martin], Martin [Short] and Selena [Gomez]’s work,” a press release from Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment president Craig Erwich read in July 2022. “We are grateful to be able to continue telling the stories of Charles, Oliver and Mabel to viewers that have consistently shown us they crave more of this story.”
The comedy series follows three strangers who form a bond over their love of true crime. After a mysterious death occurs in their New York City apartment building, Mabel, Oliver and Charles come together to track down the killer.
During season 2, the group found themselves at the center of another murder — but this time as the suspects. In order to clear their names, the trio must track down the killer and the mysterious person seemingly taunting them with details from the murder scene.
Ahead of the show’s return in June 2022, the showrunner noted he wanted to “up the stakes” going forward.
“I think there should be a disorienting number of things coming at them that makes it very scary at first, and I think there will be a lot that is insanely funny in season two,” Hoffman told The Hollywood Reporter at the time. “I think ultimately it’s a show about these three characters and the characters of New York, and breaking through your isolated little world and trying to fight this injustice with people who are very unexpected in your world, and [who] you might find yourself fighting for.”
One month later, Martin and Short showed support for their costar after Gomez didn’t receive an Emmy nomination. (The duo, for their part, received individual award nods for their work on the show.)
“We’re thrilled at the nominations, not only for us but for the show. We’re dismayed that Selena was not nominated because she’s so crucial to our performances, really,” Martin told The New York Times at the time. Short pointed out that the Disney Channel alum did receive a nomination as an executive producer for the hit Hulu series.
Scroll down for everything to know about Only Murders in the Building season 3:
Is ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Renewed for Season 3?
In July 2022, Hulu announced that the series was renewed while the sophomore season was still airing on the streaming service.
Who Is Returning to ‘Only Murders in the Building’?
Gomez, Short, and Martin are set to return to explore the next big mystery in the Arconia. It has not been confirmed if other cast members Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Tina Fey will reprise their roles as Detective Williams and Cinda Canning, respectively.
Following the season 2 finale, it was confirmed that Paul Rudd would be coming back after appearing briefly as fictional actor Ben Glenroy. His character’s death will be the central story for season 3.
Actor Ryan Broussard confirmed he will be returning as Will Putnam, the son of Martin’s character Oliver, via a behind-the-scenes Instagram pic with his onscreen dad in January 2023. Deadline later reported in April 2023 that Michael Cyril Creighton’s character, Howard Morris, would be upped to a series regular for the Hulu series’ third outing.
Nathan Lane, who played Teddy Dimas in seasons 1 and 2, revealed that he would not be returning for the new season in an April 2023 interview with ET Canada. “I’m not [in it],” he stated. “They moved on. It’s now called ‘Only Meryl in the Building.’”
When Will Season 3 Premiere?
While on stage with Short for their comedy show in April 2023, Martin announced that the third season will premiere on August 8. Hulu confirmed the news one month later.
Where Did the Story Leave Off?
The third season would follow the aftermath of the main trio tracking down who killed Bunny and uncovering the identity of Glitter Guy.
After a time jump, Mabel, Charles, and Oliver get caught up in another murder.
How Will Ben’s Murder Be Explored?
“I’m about six weeks into writing with the room for Season 3, and what we have planned is insane and so exciting. It’s also very twisty,” Hoffman told TV Line in August 2022. “We try to check ourselves, like, ‘OK, what can we do and how can we do this differently?’ and ‘What feels like a different take? A fresh take?’ So I can only say hang tight! There’s a lot going on, and certainly the victim is colorfully drawn so far.”
Do Mabel and Alice Have a Future Together?
During an interview with TVLine in August 2022, Hoffman hinted that Mabel and Alice won’t be together following the season 3-time jump. “Alice’s [story line] [resolved itself] in a rather sweet way, with the beginning of reparation in that friendship [with Mabel]. I like the chumminess that’s there. But I don’t think we’re aiming toward any more of a love relationship,” the creator explained.
Who Else Is Joining the Cast?
Deadline reported in October 2022 that Jesse Williams is slated to portray a documentarian who takes an interest in the case at the center of season 3.
Three months later, Gomez announced that Meryl Streep would also appear in an unknown role after the Disney Channel alum posted an Instagram video of the cast on set.
In February 2023, Ashley Park shared that she was joining the cast via a TikTok video with Gomez and Short.
“Murders?? IN THIS BUILDING????” the Emily in Paris star captioned the video, which featured the trio lip-synching to dialogue from the 1942 film My Sister Eileen. Deadline later shared that Park is slated to portray a Broadway star named Kimber.
In March 2023, actors Jeremy Shamos, Linda Emond and Wesley Taylor were announced to be joining the season 3 cast in recurring roles, according to Deadline. Details about their characters have been kept under wraps.
Jesse Is ‘Killing It’
“So @ijessewilliams is killing it on season 3 guys,” Gomez teased with a makeup trailer selfie via Instagram on February 28.
“Well there’s definitely some killing…” Williams commented with a rollercoaster emoji.
Who Is Meryl Streep’s Character?
Streep’s character — she is portraying an actress named Loretta, per TVLine — was revealed for the first time in a season 3 teaser that dropped in March 2023. In the trailer, Loretta became delightfully excited while doing a table read for Oliver’s (Short) play.
“Oh my God, it’s me!” she said while reading the script, laughing as Short, Rudd and Gomez’s characters look on. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. It’s me. Isn’t it?”
Why Is Mabel in a Wedding Dress?
Gomez, Short and Martin channeled the latter two actors’ hit film franchise, Father of the Bride, while filming OMITB in March 2023.
“Guess what just happened!” the Jerk star wrote via Twitter alongside a photo of himself in a tux and Gomez in a wedding dress. He also shared an image of Short with the Disney Channel alum. “Turns out this happened, too,” he wrote.
The trio was also photographed filming a scene for OMITB on the show’s New York City set. The actors, all in costume — Gomez in the bridal gown — looked frazzled while running to catch a cab during the shoot.
When Did Filming Wrap?
“Well we wrapped season 3 of @onlymurdershulu — I’m not sure I have enough words to explain just how beautiful this season has been,” Gomez gushed via Instagram on April 20, 2023, sharing a behind-the-scenes snap with Streep. “It has been deliriously hilarious, challenging and for me, an absolute dream. … I’ll I leave it with the woman I adore, look up to and love.