Only Murders in the Building Season 3: Everything We Know So Far

Everything We Know About Only Murders in the Building Season 3

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re discussing Everything We Know About “Only Murders in the Building” Season 3.

For this video, we’ll be looking at the most notable details that have been revealed about the hit show’s third season. Since we’ll be discussing major plot points from seasons one and two, a spoiler warning is now in effect.

Who or what are you excited to see in season 3? Let us know in the comments.

A Murder Outside the Building

The season two finale saw our podcasting amateur sleuths, Mabel, Charles, and Oliver solve the murder of Arconia board president Bunny Folger, revealing the criminal’s identity at their “killer reveal party.” The culprit was none other than Cinda Canning’s overworked assistant Poppy, aka Becky Butler, the victim at the center of “All Is Not OK in Oklahoma.” She was arrested along with her boyfriend/accomplice Detective Kreps, aka Glitter Guy.

Soon after, the series jumped ahead one murder-free year to the opening night of Oliver’s new theater production, starring Charles and Ben Glenroy. It’s quickly established that there’s some beef between the two co-stars. Ben wants Charles to apologize, and Charles has some ominous words for Ben in return. After their tense moment, the curtain opens, and Ben only gets a couple lines out before he dramatically falls to the stage. Because of his previously established cough and the blood coming from his mouth, we suspect he’s been poisoned. However, everything isn’t always as it seems on “Only Murders.”

What does Charles need to apologize for? Who does Ben need to stay away from? What did he do and what’s Charles going to do about it? That’s already at least three new mysteries to explore in season 3. And solving them will hopefully answer the season’s biggest question: Who killed Ben Glenroy?

New Cast & Recurring Stars

With a new season comes new characters, one of which he got to meet in the finale. Paul Rudd made a brief but impactful appearance as Ben Glenroy, the season’s victim who died in front of an audience. From the little we’ve seen, his character seems combative and arrogant, and we know Charles isn’t a fan. Even if he isn’t the friendliest, we can’t wait for some stellar Rudd comedy.

Another huge addition to season 3 of “Only Murders” is Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep, who plays Loretta, seemingly another cast member in Oliver’s play. That’s all we know about her character so far. Well, that and she’s sporting some adorable braids.

Also likely taking the stage in Oliver’s production is Ashley Park, best known for her roles as Mindy in “Emily in Paris,” Naomi in “Beef,” and Audrey in “Joy Ride.” The multihyphenate began her career in theater singing, dancing, and acting in productions like “Mean Girls.” On “Only Murders,” Park will fittingly portray a “Broadway ingénue” named Kimber.

It was announced in October 2022 that “Grey's Anatomy” alum Jesse Williams joined the cast as a “documentarian with a particular interest in the case,” per Deadline. It’s unknown if he’ll suspect the trio of murder or will want to prove their presumed innocence. Williams also has theater experience, and his 2022 Broadway debut as Darren Lemming in “Take Me Out” earned him a Tony nomination.

On top of that, Don Darryl Rivera, Linda Emond, Jeremy Shamos, Allison Guinn, Gerald Caesar, and Wesley Taylor were all cast in undisclosed recurring roles. However, a behind-the-scenes snap from Taylor reveals his character’s name to be Cliff.

Returning Cast & Characters

Though we’re excited to get to know new characters, we also miss our favorites. It’s safe to say that Steve Martin’s Charles-Haden Savage, Martin Short’s Oliver Putnam, and Selena Gomez’s Mabel Mora aren’t going anywhere. Andrea Martin, for her part, returns as Joy, Charles’ new girlfriend. Now, we only saw her in two episodes last season. But according to her, Joy has a more significant role this time around.

In other exciting news, one cast member promoted to series regular is Michael Cyril Creighton, aka Arconia’s resident yodeler Howard Morris. He always infuses the show with a fun energy and dynamic, so we’re excited to see what amusement his increased presence will bring. We also expect to see more of his romantic interest Jonathan, played by Jason Veasey. Fingers crossed the pair are still together.

Season 2 also saw Charles bonding with his former partner’s daughter Lucy. She was in the audience with Mabel and Joy at the play, so it’s likely we’ll see her again. But Zoe Colletti hasn’t officially been confirmed to make a return. Meanwhile, Tina Fey’s rival podcaster Cinda Canning became an important part of last season. It’s uncertain if she’ll make a comeback, and in what capacity if any. If she does return, we wonder whether she’ll retain her new “good guy” status or not.

Meanwhile, it’s been confirmed that Nathan Lane’s Teddy Dimas will not return for season 3, due to a scheduling conflict. However, we’re not sure if this means that Teddy’s son Theo, played by James Caverly, will be absent as well. And unless Bunny comes back in spectral form, she won’t make any more appearances — except perhaps in older flashbacks.

Furthermore, we don’t necessarily expect to see last season’s culprits, Poppy/Becky and Kreps, since they were arrested by Da'Vine Joy Randolph’s character, Detective Williams. We’re not sure if Williams herself will be there to help the trio out with the latest murder, but we sure hope to see her.

But what about Jan? She was in prison in season 2, and we don’t anticipate Amy Ryan’s reappearance. Charles dumped Jan via his stunt double, Jane Lynch’s Sazz Pataki. It has been reported that Lynch is likely coming back in some capacity, so who knows what could happen next?

More faces we’d like to see are the Arconiacs — Jaboukie Young-White’s Sam, Daniel Oreskes’ Marv, Ali Stroker’s Paulette, and Orson Hong’s Grant.

Oliver’s Big Broadway Return

The first two seasons of “Only Murders in the Building” were mainly set, as the title suggests, in and around the Arconia apartment building. Season 1 was largely about Mabel’s connection to Tim Kono, and the second season dug into Charles’ father’s messy past. Characters venture out into New York to chase down leads and sometimes go to work. But both whodunits were specifically tied to the Arconia. With season 3’s murder taking place in a theater, will our heroes spend more time sleuthing around there?

Series co-creator John Hoffman explained to Entertainment Weekly that the third season focuses more on Oliver and his Broadway comeback. And since Ryan Broussard is returning as his son Will, we’ll likely see more of their relationship and how they’re dealing, or not dealing, with last season’s DNA debacle. With Will getting involved with his son’s school play last season, he might be a bigger presence during Oliver’s year-long preparation.

No More Mabel & Alice

Last season, Mabel met artist Alice Banks, and the pair had a brief relationship. But Alice betrayed Mabel by taking her pain and using it for art, which led to their breakup. In the finale, Alice helps put on a show to get a confession out of Poppy/Becky. Afterwards, we see her renovating Mabel’s apartment with her. While Cara Delevingne could still make a return, it would probably only be in a platonic way, according to Hoffman. As far as we know, there are no plans to give Mabel a major new love interest. Of course, Aaron Dominguez could always reprise his role as Oscar Torres. But Mabel made it pretty clear in season 2 that they’re better off as friends. Still, it’s entirely possible the team has a fresh romance up their sleeves for her.

After all, in March 2023, set photos of Selena Gomez in a wedding dress emerged, leaving fans wondering if Ms. Mora will tie the knot this upcoming season. Her co-stars also donned formal wear, and yes, pretty much everyone online made the “Father of the Bride” reference! So, could she be a runaway bride? The likelihood she’s marrying either previous love interest is slim. Another photo shows Mabel, Charles, and Oliver seemingly fleeing, so the whole thing could be a ruse. Whatever the case, we’re excited to see it play out.

When to Expect Season 3

Shortly after season 2 of “Only Murders in the Building” began streaming in June 2022, Hulu announced the hit series was already renewed for a third season. And lucky for us, it was a relatively short wait.

Filming of season 3 reportedly commenced in January 2023 and wrapped in April. That same month, Steve Martin first revealed the August 8th release date alongside Martin Short during their “You Won’t Believe What They Look Like Today!” show. Official confirmation came a short while after this, along with reports that two episodes will apparently premiere.