In 2021, the first season of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building was released. The show became an almost-immediate success, with its star-studded cast and hilariously lovable storyline. The great Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez are the incredible talents who have helped bring this show to the heights of its success. Martin plays Charles, a retired actor who feels stuck and alone in life, dealing with the fact that his days in the limelight seem further away every day, only worsened by the heartbreak from failed relationships. Short portrays the hilarious Oliver Putnam, a playwright struggling to make ends meet while trying to maintain a solid relationship with his son and grandkids who he loves. Gomez plays Mabel Mora, an outcast at heart who sticks to her guns and doesn’t let anyone walk all over her. She’s intelligent, witty, and charismatic.
As if these three legends aren’t enough, all three seasons (so far) include an incredible number of guest stars. Amy Ryan, Tina Fey, Michael Rapaport, Amy Schumer, Cara Delevingne, and, of course, Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep. Aside from the acting, there is no way this show would be as successful as it is without the incredible writing team. They continue to put out engaging and dramatic plotlines season after season. Season 3 premiered on August 8, 2023 and concluded on October 3, and is a must-watch. Here are the top 10 reasons you should drop what you’re doing and watch Only Murders in the Building.
1 The Lead Actors
Of course, the biggest draw to watching Only Murders of the Building Season 3 is the show’s three lead actors: Martin, Short, and Gomez. Although their careers have all gone down very different paths, the accomplishments these three people have each achieved in the entertainment industry are remarkable, and they are all legends in their own right. Their talent is undeniable, and they are extremely loved by the public consistently being labeled as unproblematic. Their on and off-screen chemistry is so fun to watch, making Only Murders in the Building a great show.
2 Incredible Writing
It’s no secret that despite who the actors, the director, or producers are, there’s no way a show can reach a sustainable level of success without great writers. The story is the most important part of any film or TV show, and you need talented and innovative writers to keep audiences engaged and coming back from season to season. Steve Martin, John Robert Hoffman, Madeline George, Ben Phillippe, and Kristin Newman are a few of the incredibly smart writers on this series who keep the show going.
3 It’s Hilarious and Lovable
The dynamic between the three main characters, Mabel, Charles, and Oliver, seems unlikely at first due to their ages and varying interests, but at the end of the day, it’s clear that they love each other and truly enjoy the time they spend together. They’re funny, smart, compassionate, and witty no matter what zany situation they’ve found themselves in. The audience picks up on this immediately and grows to feel as if they’re friends with the characters as well.
4 Meryl Streep in Season 3
Meryl Streep is undeniably one of the greatest actors of all time. Her career spans decades, boasting a repertoire of some of the greatest films ever. She is a three-time Academy Award nominee and has a total of 21 Oscar nominations under her belt. She has starred in films such as Sophie’s Choice, The Devil Wears Prada, The Iron Lady, Kramer vs. Kramer, and so many more.
Now, Streep tackles the role of a failed actress in Only Murders in the Building. She is constantly giving great performances in everything she does and speculation has already begun to circulate surrounding possible Emmy nominations for her role.
5 Paul Rudd (Also in Season 3)
In Season 3 of Only Murders in the Building, Paul Rudd plays the one and only Ben Glenroy. His joining of the cast was by far one of the biggest draws about the latest season. Not only is Rudd an incredible comedic actor and the star of Marvel’s Ant-Man, but he’s no stranger when it comes to television. The actor played Mike Hannigan, Phoebe Buffay’s boyfriend and eventually husband, in the hit ’90s sitcom Friends. Rudd has been winning over audiences for decades, and his performance in Only Murders in the Building is no exception.
6 Epic Cliffhangers
Like any good comedy/mystery television series, each season of Only Murders in the Building has left off on an epic cliffhanger. In the last episode of Season 1, we see a terrifying image of Mabel leaning over a corpse, covered in blood and being dragged out of the Arcadia by police officers. In Season 2, we witness a mysterious death take place on the stage during a play. Mabel, Charles, and Oliver are always finding themselves in wild circumstances and the exciting adventures they fall into are the reason why viewers keep coming back for more.
7 It Was Filmed in New York
If you’re a true Only Murders in the Building fan, you probably already know that the show takes place and is filmed in New York City. The cast films on the Upper East and West Sides of Manhattan often between 72nd and 89th street. If you live in Manhattan or have visited once of twice, you may be excited to spot some of your favorite diners and parks in the background of this hit show. New York City is such an exciting place and the energy and charisma of the city carry into the plot of the show perfectly.
8 The Costume Designs
Costuming is easily one of the most underrated aspects of storytelling, especially when it comes to film and television. It’s so easy to get swept away in the characters and dramatic storylines that we forget how much we can learn about a character from their costume. Clothes are often used as an extension of people’s personalities, if we examine them they can tell us someone’s interest, their background, beliefs, values, and so much more. Only Murders in the Building’s costume designer is Dana Covarrubias. She is truly gifted and does an incredible job representing these characters’ personalities in clothing.
9 Set Design
Set design plays a huge role in film and television and helps set the tone for the entire story. In Only Murders in the Building, the set is designed to resemble a chic yet vintage Upper West Side New York City apartment building through the use of symmetry and warm colors that bring the mysterious nature of the story to the audience’s attention. The best kind of set designer can make the audience feel a specific way about a show without even realizing why. Examples of this symmetry and distinct color palette can be seen throughout the apartments of the Arconia, diner, and Mabel’s living room.
10 The Soundtrack
A television show soundtrack can make or break the entire project, especially today in the age of social media. The soundtrack sets the tone for the show and the lighthearted yet mysterious mood of the Only Murders in the Building theme song is one tune that is sure to get stuck in your head after just the first or second time hearing it. Beyond that, we hear accents and pieces of the same tune throughout the entire show bringing us back to that same feeling we get in the intro.