‘Only Murders in the Building’: A Quick Refresher Before the Season 4 Premiere
‘Only Murders in the Building’: A Quick Refresher Before the Season 4 Premiere
The hit Hulu comedy-mystery returns with Season 4 on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
It’s time again to return to the increasingly deadly halls of the Arconia as “Only Murders in the Building” Season 4 is set to premiere on Hulu on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Back again is your favorite cohort of inter-generational true-crime podcasters turned crime-solving savants Charles-Haden Savage, Oliver Putnam, and Mabel Mora. The motley crew of murder experts reach new levels of success in the new season as their podcast is being turned into a star-studded Hollywood blockbuster. So, before the show — which is currently nominated for 22 Primetime Emmy Awards — returns next week, we are catching you up on all of the info you need to dive into Season 4.
Everything You Need to Know About ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 4:
What Happened at the End of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 3?
The central mystery of “Only Murders in the Building” Season 3 was around who tried to kill — and then eventually did kill — the jerk leading man of Broadway show “Death Rattle” Ben Gilroy (played by Paul Rudd). In the season finale, it was revealed that the show’s producer Donna DeMeo (Linda Emond) originally used Ben’s obsession with cookies to poison him, but her assassination attempt was unsuccessful.
However, after he showed up at the Arconia very much alive, Donna’s son — and first-time Broadway producer — Cliff (Wesley Taylor) finished the job by pushing him down an elevator shaft, although he claims it was an accident. The overly affectionate mother and son duo are both arrested as “Death Rattle Dazzle” becomes an unexpected hit on Broadway.
After the show, everyone retreats to the Arconia for an opening-night party where Loretta (Meryl Streep) and her newly reunited son Dickie (Jeremy Shamos) — along with Ben’s documentarian Tobert (Jesse Williams) decide to turn down gigs in Los Angeles and stay in New York.
However, as the party continues, Charles’ longtime stunt double Sazz (Jane Lynch) heads back to his apartment in order to retrieve some refreshments, but as she is dressed in her traditional Charles-like outfit and fedora, after opening the refrigerator in the dark, she is shot by a sniper, presumably setting up at least one of the mysteries for Season 4.
If a short synopsis isn’t enough to get you ready for Season 4, you can stream all 30 episodes from the first three seasons on Hulu now.
Only Murders in the Building
Three strangers share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one.
What Is Season 4 of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ About?
While much of Season 4 is being kept a mystery (no pun intended), we do know that a major movie studio has optioned the “Only Murders in the Building” podcast in order to make it a star-studded Hollywood thriller. So, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel head to California to meet the actors who will be playing them and finish up the contract negotiations.
However, Sazz’s murder is still hanging over their heads as they begin to realize that she might not have been the assassin’s actual target. To lay low, the crew heads out to Long Island to stay with Charles’ sister, played by Melissa McCarthy. While we don’t know much about her, the trailer makes it clear that she has a rather unsettling collection of dolls.
It is also clear that some of everyone’s favorite “OMITB” alums will return, including Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Meryl Streep, Michael Cyril Creighton, and more.
Who’s Who on ‘Only Murders in the Building’?
Main Characters
While Steve Martin and Martin Short have been making people laugh — together and individually — for generations, the secret sauce in the success of “Only Murders in the Building” has proven to be their pitch-perfect chemistry with Selina Gomez, more than four decades their junior. All three are nominated for Emmys this year in their respective leading performer categories, and all are richly deserving of the honor.
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Charles-Haden Savage: Played by Steve Martin. Charles is a semi-washed-up actor who came to fame in the 1990s as the title character in police procedural “Brazzos.” With varying levels of social anxiety, Charles is a bit of a recluse but still seems to overestimate his level of fame at every opportunity. Throughout the series, he has been unlucky in love — including falling in love with a cold-blooded murderer.
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Oliver Putnam: Played by Martin Short. Despite being behind one of the biggest flops in Broadway history, Oliver never fails to dream big. As a once powerful theatre director, Oliver tends to have an over-inflated sense of himself and his talents. However, it was his idea to launch the podcast that has resurrected his career. He also has a bizarre, and likely unhealthy, obsession with dips.
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Mabel Mora: Played by Selina Gomez. The outsider of the group, Mabel is a young artist who was living in her aunt’s Arconia condo while it was being renovated when should found herself immersed in a series of murders and life with her new senior citizen best friends. A grounded and witty voice amongst Charles and Oliver’s chaos, she has found herself in the middle of multiple murder investigations.
Recurring Characters
Over the first three seasons of the show, “Only Murders in the Building” has cultivated an incredible roster of recurring and guest stars who are liable to pop up at any moment, from Nathan Lane’s Teddy Dimas to Andrea Martin’s Joy Payne. While many of these stars could end up appearing on the show this season, we are going to highlight a handful of folks who seem likely to appear throughout Season 4.
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Sazz Pataki: Played by Jane Lynch. Sazz is Charles’ longtime stunt double who has an uncanny ability to mimic every movement the former “Brazzos” star makes. Oddly, she also ends up dating all of Charles’s significant others after they break up. In the final episode of Season 3, it is revealed that she is shot in Charles’ apartment while dressed just like him. Going into Season 4, it is unclear if the sniper was meant to shoot her or Charles.
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Howard Morris: Played by Michael Cyril Creighton. He is a cat-loving Arconia resident who has become a close ally to the “OMITB” crew, especially serving as Oliver’s assistant for Season 3’s Broadway production of “Death Rattle.” Creighton is listed as a main character for Season 4 — as he was for S3 — so count on him being involved throughout the season.
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Loretta Durkin: Played by Meryl Streep. A once struggling actress, Loretta rises to a certain level of stardom in last season’s “Death Rattle,” but also finds her long-lost son in the process, not to mention a new love interest in Oliver.
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Donna Williams: Played by Da’Vine Joy Randolph. An NYPD detective who has been involved in all three of the “OMITB” cases to varying degrees, she has become a reluctant ally for the murder-solving crew over the years.
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Dickie Glenroy: Played by Jeremy Shamos. In Season 3, Dickie starts as just Ben Glenroy’s often-mistreated adopted brother and manager. However, it turns out that he is Loretta’s son whom she put up for adoption decades ago. As the season progresses, he finds his confidence and takes on his mother as a client. Shamos has not been confirmed to be returning in S4, but if nothing else, there will no doubt be references to Dickie.
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Cinda Canning: Played by Tina Fey. A self-important journalist whose podcast “All Is Not OK in Oklahoma” led to Charles, Oliver, and Mabel bonding in the first place… she also played a key role in the Season 2 murder as well. There has been no word about Cinda showing up again in Season 4, but with the continued success of our trio’s podcast, it would not be a surprise for her to show up at some point.
New Characters
As is always the case with “Only Murders in the Building,” many of the details surrounding the new season’s characters and storylines are being kept under wraps to preserve the Season 4 mystery. But what we do know about the forthcoming episodes is incredibly exciting and teases loads of potential for drama and hilarity to ensue.
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Eva Longoria: Playing herself. She is set to star as Mabel Mora in the film adaptation of the “Only Murders in the Building” podcast.
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Eugene Levy: Playing himself. He will portray Charles-Haden Savage in the “OMITB” big-screen adaptation.
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Zach Galifianakis: Playing himself. He has been cast as Oliver Putnam in the feature film version of “Only Murders in the Building.”
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Vince Fish: Played by Richard Kind.
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Inez: Played by Daphne-Ruben Vega.
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Charles’ Sister: Played by Melissa McCarthy. She will appear in multiple episodes as Charles’ heretofore never-seen sister who lives in Long Island.
Actors Playing Unknown Characters:
- Catherine Cohen
- Jin Hay (appears in the Season 4 trailer as Charles, Oliver, and Mabel read the film script for “OMITB”)
- Kumail Nanjiani (appears to be a Christmas-loving neighbor who might live in an apartment with a direct line to Charles’)
- Molly Shannon (based on the trailer, it appears that she is playing a movie executive)
When Will ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 4 Episodes Be Released?
The Season 4 premiere of “Only Murders in the Building” will premiere on Hulu at 12 midnight in the early morning of Tuesday, Aug. 27. From there, the subsequent nine episodes of the season will be released on the following Tuesdays at midnight, culminating with the season finale on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
| Episode # | Air Date | Episode Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug. 27, 2024 | “Once Upon a Time in the West” |
| 2 | Sept. 3, 2024 | “Gates of Heaven” |
| 3 | Sept. 10, 2024 | TBA |
| 4 | Sept. 17, 2024 | TBA |
| 5 | Sept. 24, 2024 | TBA |
| 6 | Oct. 1, 2024 | TBA |
| 7 | Oct. 8, 2024 | TBA |
| 8 | Oct. 15, 2024 | TBA |
| 9 | Oct. 22, 2024 | TBA |
| 10 | Oct. 29, 2024 | TBA |
How to Catch Up on ‘Only Murders in the Building’
Every episode of “Only Murders in the Building” is available to stream on-demand on Hulu. Each of the first three seasons is comprised of just 10 episodes, and they generally average in the 25-35 minute range. So, while you might be cutting it close, there is still time to binge the first three seasons before Season 4 premieres on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
A subscription to Hulu comes with a 30-day free trial, so not only will you have time to catch up on Seasons 1 through 3, but you will also be able to watch the first half of the season before you have to pay a single penny. Hulu offers two subscription plans: First, the ad-supported option will cost you just $7.99 per month, and the ad-free option will be $17.99.
However, nearly every Disney-owned streaming product will see a price increase in October — following Episode 8 of the season. So, the ad-supported Hulu plan will jump to $9.99 on Thursday, Oct. 17 while the ad-free option will increase to $18.99.
Hulu
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