Premiering Tuesday: ‘Only Murders in the Building’ is Back for Season 3 on Hulu

By Bobby Panza

The comedic “rule of three” is upon us as Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin return for the third season of “Only Murders in the Building,” premiering today, August 8, on Hulu.

Over the past two seasons, our crime-solving stars have adeptly cracked multiple murder cases inside the Arconia, a fictional representation of the Belnord at 225 West 86th Street on the Upper West Side. It doesn’t take a sleuth to notice things are starting to feel a little repetitive. Seasons one and two of “Only Murders” followed a similar pattern of mystery and intrigue largely focused within the walls of the star characters’ domiciles. Now, it’s time to break the pattern with a third unexpected element. A season three trailer tagline tells us, “The stage is set for the wildest season yet,” beckoning us beyond the walls of the Arconia to the vibrant lights of Broadway theater.

Season two of “Only Murders in the Building” ended with the death of Ben Glenroy, played by Paul Rudd. While Rudd still looks like he’s drinking from the fountain of youth, his character Glenroy is last seen collapsing on stage during Oliver Putnam’s (Martin Short) latest Broadway production. In a statement to Variety, “Only Murders” series co-creator John Hoffman said Glenroy “is a clear source of many upcoming questions, and, as ever with our show, many twists yet to come!”

Also joining the cast for season three is the three-time Academy Award winner, Meryl Streep, who plays Loretta Durkin, a Broadway actress who’s a potential suspect in the death of Ben Glenroy. Durkin could also wind up a victim by season’s end according to John Hoffman in an interview with Deadline. “Throughout the season, we keep the scripts pretty tight, even with our main cast. I loved watching Meryl be attuned to that and come to that in some way throughout Season 3. She kept on wondering, ‘Am I going to die? Am I going to be the murderer?’ She had to know what was coming up next, it was funny,” said Hoffman.

What we can count on, for now, is no Nathan Lane appearances in season three of “Only Murders.” Lane, who moved to the Dorilton on West 71st Street in 2022, won his first Primetime Emmy award for his portrayal of Teddy Dimas in season two of “Only Murders.” The Producers actor faced schedule conflicts which kept him out of season three of “Only Murders” as he performed as the character Irving in “Pictures From Home” on Broadway. You’ll also be able to find him again, as the suave socialite, Ward McAllister in season two of the HBO period drama Gilded Age. If “Only Murders” survives to see a fourth season, Lane could likely return.

Other Upper West Siders we’d love to see back in the fray include Tina Fey and Sting.

Originally airing in 2021, “Only Murders in the Building” follows the lives of three Upper West Side neighbors: Steve Martin as Charles-Haden Savage, an over-the-hill actor still looking for another break; Martin Short as Oliver Putnam, a historically debt-ridden Broadway director; and Selena Gomez as Mabel Mora, a mysteriously angsty young lady with artistic aspirations. All three bond over their love for true-crime podcasts before they decide to start their own amidst a gruesome death occurring in their home, the Arconia.

In 2022, “Only Murders” received a total of 17 Emmy nominations, but wound up not winning in any of the major categories. Short and Martin both lost in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy category, as well. For 2023, Short’s been nominated again for the honor, along with Nathan Lane who won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy in 2022. “Only Murders” is also up for Outstanding Comedy Series again.

“Only Murders in the Building” is available to stream exclusively on Hulu. The first two episodes will premiere today, August 8, 2023. Then, a new episode will be released every Tuesday at 12 a.m. Eastern time, until the season finale on October 3.

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