After weekly releases of the highly anticipated season two, Only Murders in the Building has kept viewers in suspense with the introduction of Paul Rudd in the series climatic finale. Season two is set to echo the success of season one, already commissioned for a third season with the new addition of Rudd.
Following a successful two seasons, the show has dominated Emmy, People’s Choice and Critic’s Choice Television Award nominations. Accolades have also highlighted the show providing visibility to characters with a disability, recognised by The ReFrame Stamp for hiring actors of colour and underrepresented gender identities.
Only Murders in the Building follows Mabel, played by singer-songwriter-actor Selena Gomez, befriending her two neighbours at the Arconia over the recent murder of one of its residents. Charles and Oliver, played by television legends and informal comedy duo Steve Martin and Martin Short, meet Mabel whilst listening to a true crime podcast during a fire evacuation of their apartment building. When they return, a body of a resident has been found dead. United in intrigue over the building’s murder, with varied motivations, ensues a friendship where together they attempt to solve the infamous death of Tim Kono.
Across the two seasons released so far, viewers have been compelled by the intergenerational friendships portrayed on screen. This is unsurprising considering the real-life friendships of Gomez, Martin, and Short, who are all executive producers of the series. They channel this into the charisma between their characters and the wholesome murder mystery fuses comedic pursuits with a dramatic who-dun-it spirit.
Paul Rudd, notably of Antman and Clueless fame, is teased at the end of season two’s episode ten finale in a cameo performance set one year in the future. Without giving too many spoilers, it’s implied that Rudd’s character will be of high focus in season three’s plotline as snappy theatre actor, Ben Glenroy. It is unclear, however, if his performance will be as a guest actor or a recurring character within the season.
Season three is anticipated to be released in summer 2023.
Only Murders in the Building is currently available to stream on Disney+.
Words by Alanya Smith
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