Whenever there’s a murder at the Arconia you will invariably find Charles Savage, Oliver Putnam, and Mabel Mora at the scene. With Only Murders in the Building Season 3 making a splash on Hulu this year, we finally got our chance to rendezvous with our favorite crime-solving trio from New York City once more. This new season has a lot more interesting characters apart from the leading trio, including a new star murder victim. Created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, Only Murders in the Building revolves around three people, all of them avid true-crime podcast fans, who live in New York’s prestigious Upper West Side building, the Arconia. When a murder happens on their very home ground, the misfits band together to investigate and solve the case, while also developing an unlikely friendship along the way. And what better way to do that for podcast fans than to start a crime podcast of their own? Season 3 begins one year after the events of the second season, with Oliver premiering his new play when suddenly his lead actor, Ben Glenroy, drops dead on stage. And thus, the trio is back to being amateur crime solvers, once again.
Since its premiere in August 2021, Only Murders in the Building has made a mark with its unique storytelling, performances, and stellar cast, earning it critical acclaim. In each season, we have seen some remarkable guest stars like Tina Fey, Jane Lynch, Sting, Amy Schumer, etc. joining the returning fan-favorite trio of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. But Season 3 by far hosts the most terrific ensemble, with three-time Academy Award-winner Meryl Streep and MCU star Paul Rudd, among many new entrants. Only Murders in the Building Season 3 premiered on Hulu on August 8, 2023, and you can stream it now to catch up on all the madcap adventures of our investigative trio. But first, tead on to find out about all the key characters of Only Murders in the Building Season 3 and the talented actors who play them.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on November 6.
Steve Martin as Charles Savage
Charles-Haden Savage is a (semi) retired actor, who once used to be the star of the hit 90s TV crime drama Brazzos. A big fan of true-crime podcasts, he teams up with Mabel and Oliver when a murder upsets their peaceful and prestigious community. Charles is a friendly and generally nice neighbor, best known for his witty one-liners, but is very challenged when it comes to technology. Since his last long relationship ended, he hasn’t really dated anyone, except for a woman in his building in Season 1, who turned out to be a murderer. But life and Season 2 gave him a chance to rekindle his bond with his ex’s daughter, Lucy, with whom he shares a father-daughter relationship. In Season 3, Charles is at the beginning of a new relationship with his old makeup artist and trying to prove his chops on the Broadway stage, both of which lead to some hilarity and emotional turmoil.
Multiple Grammy Award winner Steve Martin plays the character of Charles Savage in what is turning out to be his longest television role to date. A multitalented actor-producer-writer-comedian-musician, Martin is almost synonymous with classic comedies. From his beginnings as a successful stand-up artist of the 1970s, Steve Martin has evolved into a comedy icon, best known for films like Father of the Bride and Three Amigos, both of which also feature his OMITB co-star, Martin Short. He also starred in hit comedy films like Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Cheaper by the Dozen, and the Pink Panther duology, and has hosted Saturday Night Live 16 times. Martin is also a co-creator, writer, and executive producer of Only Murders in the Building.
Martin Short as Oliver Putnam
Oliver is the heart of the trio and the brain behind the in-story true-crime podcast “Only Murders in the Building”, where he solves the murders at the Arconia with Charles and Mabel. He is eccentric, ambitious, and over-the-top, living with his dog and beyond his means. He is always cash-strapped but refuses to give up on his dreams and aspirations. In other words, the once-famous Broadway director is still full of life, and it is his attitude that keeps the excitement and thrill alive for the gang. After a long struggle with work, family, and a semi-estranged son, Oliver has finally managed to mend some of his relationships and put together his latest theater production. However, the lead actor’s death on the opening night could sabotage his success. Season 3 is set to give Oliver a deeper examination than ever before as we see many sides of the character come out as he struggles with his latest project and the murder that threatens to destroy it.
Oliver Putnam’s character is played by Emmy and Tony winner Martin Short, who seems to fit into the role like hand-in-glove. A contemporary of Steve Martin, Short also began his career with sketch comedy shows and stage roles and is a prolific voice actor. Besides Father of the Bride and Three Amigos, Short is best known for his work in films like Clifford, Mars Attacks!, Frankenweenie, etc., and in select episodes of television shows like Damages, Primetime Glick, How I Met Your Mother, and The Morning Show, among several other shows and series across various genres. Short also serves as an executive producer for Only Murders in the Building.
Selena Gomez as Mabel Mora
If Charles and Oliver bring comic relief to the trio’s detective business, Mabel Mora shows them the hard facts. She is a young artist living in her aunt’s apartment in the Arconia. In the first season, when her childhood friend from the building gets killed, she befriends Charles and Oliver to solve the case. Mabel is usually less dramatic than her friends and looks at puzzles more objectively, a skill she learned from her father when she was a child. Although she is relieved to have spent a year without a murder by the time Season 3 begins, Mabel seems excited to solve the case of Ben Glenroy’s death. Season 3 brings big changes for Mabel, especially with her friends doing big things together without her involvement. But nothing brings these three together like a homicide, so hopefully their relationship won’t get too strained. Hopefully.
Actor-producer-musician-entrepreneur Selena Gomez stars as Mabel Mora. A former Disney star, Gomez had her acting breakthrough with Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place series, and its spin-off film, Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie. Her other notable films include Monte Carlo, Spring Breakers, Ramona and Beezus, and The Dead Don’t Die, among others. Besides acting, Gomez is an accomplished singer/musician and has six albums with her former band, Selena Gomez & the Scene, and three solos. She is also the executive producer for Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why as well as for Only Murders in the Building.
Paul Rudd as Ben Gilroy
Ben is the lead actor in Oliver’s latest Broadway play, and also the murder victim. His sudden death on stage on the play’s opening night shocks everyone and sets up the case for the third season. From a recently released clip by Hulu, it appears that Ben has some misgivings about one of his co-stars, but we don’t know who it is yet. Also, Charles seems to have some issues with Ben and there’s something bad about Ben that he knows which clearly indicates some kind of tension between the two actors. The third season will most likely reveal more of Ben’s backstory and how he came to be a part of Oliver’s play. In a way, Ben can be seen as a satire of the successful commercial actor.
Marvel star and celebrated Hollywood actor Paul Rudd plays the role of Ben Glenroy. He might now be best known as Marvel’s Ant-Man/Scott Lang, but Rudd has a history of great roles across film and television, beginning with his debut in 1995’s Clueless. Often considered an A-list comedy actor, he is best known for his work in films like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, I Love You Man, Dinner for Schmucks, etc. In television, Rudd had a recurring role in Friends and also starred in Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, Parks and Recreation, Netflix’s Living with Yourself (which he also executive produced), and the recent Apple TV+ drama, The Shrink Next Door. Rudd is next set to appear in an untitled Ghostbusters: Afterlife sequel and voice Mondo Gecko in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.
Meryl Streep as Loretta Durkin
The biggest surprise in Only Murders in the Building Season 3 is perhaps the addition of Meryl Streep. We know very little about her character in the series from the teasers and promos, apart from the fact that she’s a Broadway actor appearing in Oliver’s play. Rest assured, Loretta is a big part of Only Murders Season 3 and her arc is one to watch out for. First introduced as an older actor who has never quite managed to make her mark, Loretta is a very layered individual with a great secret that might make her a prime suspect.
The third season of the murder mystery comedy marks a reunion for Streep and Martin, as they previously appeared together in the 2009 rom-com film It’s Complicated. An iconic Hollywood star and an industry veteran, Streep is best known for her work in films like Kramer vs. Kramer and Sophie’s Choice, with iconic performances in The Devil Wears Prada, Mamma Mia, and Let Them All Talk, among others. In television roles, she appeared in Angels in America, Big Little Lies Season 2, and Apple TV+’s Extrapolations, among many others.
Andrea Martin as Joy
Joy is Charles’ longtime makeup artist and friend. They met on the sets of Brazzos and formed a close bond, probably even having a brief romance. Eventually, she retired, as did Charles. After many years, while working on the legacy reboot of Brazzos, Charles calls on Joy to break out of her retired life and be his makeup artist again. During this time, the two old friends and lovers share a kiss and rekindle their romance. In the new season, she is still very much a part of Charles’ life and the two are dating. However, their new relationship goes through some significant struggles because let’s face it, Charles has no idea how to be with someone.
Andrea Martin plays the role of Joy. An actor, singer, and comedian, Martin is best known for her roles in films like Black Christmas, the My Big Fat Greek Wedding films, Wag the Dog, Anastasia, etc., and in television shows like Second City Television and The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley, as well as several voice roles. Martin also recently reprised her role of Voula in the upcoming My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3.
Michael Cyril Creighton as Howard Morris
A resident of the Arconia with a great love of the stage, Michael Cyril Creighton‘s fan-favorite character Howard Morris returns in Only Murders in the Building Season 3. A recurring character on the show from the start, Howard has a significantly bigger role in Season 3, having been bumped up to series regular status. In the season, Howard works as Oliver’s assistant, desperately trying to help the play in any way he can. Secretly, Howard yearns for the stage and dreams that perhaps one day, he’ll get to do more than sweep it. He also has a weird rivalry going on with the stage manager, K.T. Knoblauer (Allison Guinn). Michael Cyril Creighton, by comparison, has had a successful career on the stage and is also known for his work in High Maintenance, Jack in a Box, and the 2015 Academy Award-winning movie Spotlight.
Jackie Hoffman as Uma Heller
The Arconia’s resident grouch, Jackie Hoffman‘s Uma Heller does not like Oliver, Charles, or Mabel. But, to be fair, she doesn’t like most people, things, or experiences. Perhaps there’s a softer side to this recurring character, who’s another face that’s been with us since Season 1. Jackie Hoffman’s best-known works apart from Only Murders in the Building include the miniseries Feud: Bette and Joan and Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies.
Jason Veasey as Jonathan Bridgecroft
Jason Veasey‘s Jonathan Bridgecroft is Howard’s love interest and a fellow resident of the Arconia, first introduced in Season 2. In the new season, Jonathan is called on to play a large role, literally, as he’s Ben Glenroy’s understudy. With the lead star dead, it falls to Jonathan to play the main character, but the anxiety and pressure he feels as a result could be Jonathan’s undoing. The circumstances in which he got the role also briefly make him a suspect but then again, who isn’t one?
Ashley Park as Kimber
Joy Ride star Ashley Park appears as Kimber, a Broadway ingénue who is starring in Oliver’s play. She’s also an entrepreneur and influencer and generally spends every waking moment hustling to achieve the fame and fortune she seeks. Don Darryl Rivera and Gerald Caesar play her co-stars Bobo Malone and Ty Wessex.
Wesley Taylor and Linda Emond as Clifford Demeo and Donna Demeo
Wesley Taylor and Linda Emond play mother-son producing duo Cliff and Donna Demeo. They’re the ones financing Oliver’s play and putting their money on the line. Donna is a veteran of the scene and an old friend of Oliver’s. As such, she’s often the one who pushes people together to make sure things stay on track. This play is especially important to her as it’s her son’s first production. Cliff, much like his mother, is also trying his best to keep the play going. He adores Donna but also wants to make a name for himself. If one thing is clear about these two, it’s that they will do anything to protect each other and the play.
Jeremy Shamos as Dickie Glenroy
Ben Glenroy’s brother and manager, Jeremy Shamos‘ Dickie is under immense amounts of stress. Ben isn’t the easiest person to be around, forget to live with the entirety of your life. As the season progresses, Dickie forms a bond with Loretta, which helps him build the courage he needs to face his brother. We also see more and more of what Dickie has had to sacrifice for Ben’s sake. All that could add up to a motive for murder, but whether Dickie is actually capable of killing someone is a question you’ll have to watch and find out.
Jesse Williams as Tobert
Jesse Williams‘ Tobert is introduced as a mystery wrapped in an enigma and hidden behind a large camera. He’s a documentarian who has been hired to follow Ben Glenroy around and collect material. Much like Dickie, Tobert also is forced to deal with Ben’s abrasive and unstable antics. Tobert isn’t all that keen on this job anyway, as his real passion is to go out into the world and capture the things that matter. Over the course of the season, Tobert also finds an attraction with Mabel, and the two of them might just push each other to take their lives to the next level.
Jane Lynch as Sazz Pataki
Jane Lynch‘s Sazz Pataki is a familiar and beloved face on the show, having been a recurring character since the beginning. Charles’ former stunt double and arguably his best friend from his time on Brazzos, Sazz is always fun to be with and has a weird way of bringing out the best in Charles. However, this time around, you’ll want to keep your eye on Sazz all the way to the very end.
Additionally, while some of the earlier characters don’t return, there are a few more older characters who make brief appearances in Season 3. They include Tina Fey‘s Cinda Canning, who has reinvented herself post-Season 2, James Caverly as Theo Dimas, who is now good friends with Mabel, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Detective Donna Williams, among others. The season also features Matthew Broderick as himself. Now that you’re caught up with the key cast members, you can use the following link to watch Only Murders in the Building Season 3 on Hulu.
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