The highly anticipated Season 4 red carpet premiere of “Only Murders in the Building” took place on August 22 at the historic Paramount Studios lot, a location that makes a cameo during the first episode of the new season. The event was a glamorous affair, attended by the series’ main stars—Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez—along with other cast members like the legendary Meryl Streep, Kumail Nanjiani, Molly Shannon, D’avine Joy Randolph and Zach Galifianakis. Celebrities from across the Disney family, including former “Wizards of Waverly Place” co-stars of Selena Gomez and this season’s Bachelorette Jenn Tran, were also in attendance.
As the show enters its fourth season on Hulu, it continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of humor, mystery, and heart. Created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, “Only Murders in the Building” follows three unlikely friends, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, who bond over their love of true crime podcasts and find themselves solving murders in their own New York City apartment building. The third season, produced by Martin, Hoffman, and Dan Fogelman, garnered 21 nominations for the upcoming Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series, with lead actors Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez also receiving nominations for their performances.
Season 3 ended on a dramatic cliffhanger, with Jane Lynch’s character, Sazz Pataki, a lifelong friend of Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), being shot through the window of his residence at the Arconia. Season 4 delves into the mystery of who would want to murder Sazz or perhaps the bigger question of, did the actually intend to kill Charles? The trio of Charles, Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez) find themselves drawn into another tangled web of intrigue as they investigate the shocking death.
The new season opens with Charles, Oliver and Mabel heading to Los Angeles after a studio executive, played by Molly Shannon, convinces them to make a film about their podcast. Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, and Zach Galifianakis join the cast, playing themselves, cast as the Hollywood versions of Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, respectively. Longoria, in particular, shines in her comedic turn, infusing a meta-humor about actors that fits in perfectly with the series. As the mystery of Sazz’s murder deepens, these new characters ultimately join forces with the original trio, creating several laugh out loud moments on their way to helping (or hurting?) the investigation.
At the premiere, the chemistry between the lead actors was palpable. When asked about the funniest moment on set, Selena Gomez couldn’t help but laugh as she recalled a scene with Molly Shannon, known for her improvisational flair. “Mine is with Molly Shannon, and I cannot contain myself when she does a fake freakout,” Gomez shared. Martin Short chimed in, explaining, “She kept improvising every take, and Selena had to be there. What’s hilarious is when you see this episode, Selena just turns, and that’s all they had. So they had to use it.”
Steve Martin added his own anecdote, highlighting the joy that the incredibly funny cast has working on the show. “There’s so many odd little funny moments. Like, Kumail has a line, and I’ll say what it is, but you won’t think it’s funny. But in the context, it’s so funny when he says, ‘We can’t handle the truth,’ like a quote from “A Few Good Men”. It’s built up for an entire episode, and it just makes me laugh thinking about it.”
Jane Lynch, who plays the ill-fated Sazz, reflected on the deepening relationships this season. “I think what’s great about this season is we get to see the relationship between Sazz and Charles in a way we hadn’t before. There are some very tender moments, some sweet, sweet, sweet moments,” Lynch shared. Her comments hint at the emotional depth that fans can expect, even as the series delivers its signature blend of humor and mystery.
Michael Cyril Creighton, who has been with the show since its inception, shared his thoughts on how his character, Howard, has evolved. “Howard has grown exponentially,” Creighton said, crediting the writers for their deep understanding of his character. He emphasized the importance of the sense of play and flexibility on set, which he’s observed and learned from his veteran co-stars.
Season 4 introduces several new faces who either make up the movie crew or are quirky residents of the Arconia’s West Tower—many of whom are sure to garner attention from our beloved podcasters as possible suspects. This mix of old and new characters creates a rich tapestry of intrigue that promises to keep viewers guessing until the very end.
For newcomers like Siena Werber, joining the cast of “Only Murders in the Building” was nothing short of a dream. Werber, who plays a film director in the series, described the experience as surreal. “It’s funny to act like I’m directing actors I can only imagine are so good,” Werber shared. She expressed her excitement about working alongside the legendary cast, particularly Steve Martin, who she admitted had always held a special place in her heart.
Similarly, Lilian Rebelo, making her television debut as one of the West Tower residents, described her casting as a “pinch me moment.” The chance to work with icons like Steve Martin and Martin Short was both exhilarating and educational for Rebelo, who confessed to rewatching the show and diving into the past works of her co-stars to better prepare for her role.
Jason Kravits, another addition to the cast, reflected on how television has evolved to feature movie stars in ensemble casts. Kravits noted, “Television had great casts, but not movie stars. That’s a very recent addition with streaming… I feel very fortunate to be able to work with some of my idols.”
You can watch the mystery unravel during Season 4 of “Only Murders in the Building” premiering August 27 on Hulu, with new episodes airing every Tuesday.