Can a podcast about local homicides actually save a historic Manhattan apartment building?
In short: Three unlikely neighbors in a posh Upper West Side residence bond over their shared obsession with true crime audio. When real-life fatalities strike their home, they launch their own investigative series. This comedic mystery explores how amateur sleuthing transforms their lives while navigating the eccentricities of their high-end apartment complex.
Only Murders in the Building follows the lives of Charles-Haden Savage, a former television star, Oliver Putnam, a struggling Broadway director, and Mabel Mora, a young artist. The trio resides in the Arconia, a Manhattan building that becomes the epicenter of a series of suspicious deaths. Their collaboration began after the demise of Tim Kono, a neighbor whose passing prompted them to document their findings in a podcast. The show, created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, has aired five seasons on Hulu since its 2021 debut, with a sixth installment, set in London, scheduled for late 2026.
The narrative structure frequently blends satire with genuine mystery. The podcast within the show serves as both a plot device and a commentary on the true crime genre, notably parodying real-world productions like Serial. The series has earned significant critical recognition, including nominations for Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe awards. Beyond the central trio, the show features a revolving cast of residents and associates, such as the cat-loving Howard Morris, the board president Bunny Folger, and the NYPD detective Donna Williams, who finds herself drawn into the group's investigations.
A notable element of the series is its meta-fictional approach, particularly in the fourth season, which features a film adaptation of the characters' podcast. In this storyline, actors like Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis, and Eva Longoria portray fictionalized versions of the leads. The show also explores deeper character histories, such as Mabel's childhood involvement in a group called The Hardy Boys and Charles's past as the star of a 1990s crime drama. Through these layers, the series examines themes of ambition, friendship, and the strange allure of investigating the darker side of urban life.
The production has maintained a consistent release schedule, with seasons premiering annually between August and September. The upcoming sixth season represents a shift in setting, moving the action from the familiar confines of the Arconia to London. This evolution reflects the show's ability to reinvent its premise while keeping the core dynamic of its central characters intact, ensuring that the blend of comedy and suspense remains a staple of its identity.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Only Murders in the Building
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