As the anticipation builds for the fourth season of Hulu's critically acclaimed series "Only Murders in the Building," fans are eager for any morsel of information about what's next for our beloved trio of amateur sleuths. This comprehensive guide will take you through everything we know so far about the upcoming season, from confirmed details to intriguing rumors and fan theories.
The Journey So Far: A Quick Recap
Before we dive into what's coming, let's quickly recap where we left off. Season 3 saw our podcasting heroes – Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) – embroiled in a Broadway murder mystery. The victim? Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd), the lead actor in Oliver's comeback play "Death Rattle Dazzle."
The season finale revealed that Ben was killed by the show's producers, Cliff (Wesley Taylor) and Donna (Linda Emond), in a desperate attempt to save their production. But the real shock came in the final moments when Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch), Charles' longtime stunt double, was shot in Charles' apartment, setting up the mystery for Season 4.
Release Date and Production Details
Premiere Date and Schedule
Season Premiere: August 27, 2024
Episode Release: Weekly following the premiere
Number of Episodes: Expected to be 10, based on previous seasons
Hulu has officially announced that the first episode of Season 4 will drop on August 27, 2024. This maintains the show's tradition of late summer premieres, following the pattern set by previous seasons. Episodes will be released weekly, allowing fans to savor the mystery and engage in week-to-week speculation.
Behind the Scenes
Showrunner: John Hoffman continues to lead the series, ensuring continuity in tone and style.
Writers' Room: The writing team returned to work on October 9, 2023, following the resolution of the WGA strike. This gave them ample time to craft the new season.
Executive Producer Influence: Jess Rosenthal, an executive producer, suggested Sazz as the murder victim for Season 4, a idea that showrunner John Hoffman found "awful" yet "perfect."
Cast: A Star-Studded Ensemble
Returning Cast Members
Steve Martin as Charles-Haden Savage: The former TV actor returns, likely grappling with the loss of his longtime stunt double and friend.
Martin Short as Oliver Putnam: The Broadway director, fresh off his successful "Death Rattle Dazzle," faces new challenges in Hollywood.
Selena Gomez as Mabel Mora: The youngest of the trio, Mabel's journey from reluctant participant to committed sleuth continues.
Meryl Streep as Loretta Durkin: Streep's return as Oliver's love interest promises to explore their relationship further, especially with the move to Los Angeles.
Jane Lynch as Sazz Pataki: Despite being the victim, Lynch confirmed she'll appear in 5 out of 10 episodes, likely through flashbacks and "another way" she cryptically teased.
Paul Rudd as Ben Glenroy: Rudd's return has been confirmed, though the capacity of his appearance remains a mystery. Given his character's fate, flashbacks or ghostly appearances seem likely.
New Additions to the Cast
Molly Shannon: Set to play a high-powered Los Angeles businesswoman drawn into the world of Sazz's murder investigation.
Eugene Levy: The "Schitt's Creek" star joins in an unspecified role, adding his comedic talents to the mix.
Eva Longoria: The "Desperate Housewives" alumna's role is yet to be revealed, but her Hollywood experience could prove valuable to the plot.
Kumail Nanjiani: Reported to play a character integral to the latest investigation, Nanjiani's addition promises to bring both humor and intrigue.
Zach Galifianakis: Another comedy heavyweight joining the cast, Galifianakis's role remains under wraps.
Melissa McCarthy: Confirmed for a surprise appearance, McCarthy's involvement adds another layer of star power to the season.
Richard Kind: A veteran character actor whose role is yet to be specified.
The influx of new cast members, particularly those with strong comedic backgrounds, suggests that Season 4 will maintain the show's perfect balance of humor and mystery that fans have come to love.
Plot and Setting: From The Arconia to Tinseltown
The Central Mystery
The core mystery of Season 4 will revolve around the murder of Sazz Pataki. Key questions include:
Who killed Sazz, and were they actually aiming for Charles?
What was the message Sazz tried to write in blood before dying?
How will Charles cope with the loss of his longtime friend and double?
A Change of Scenery
In a significant departure from previous seasons, the show will move from its New York City setting to the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles. This change comes about when the trio receives an offer to turn their podcast into a movie.
The season will likely split its time between New York (where the murder occurred) and Los Angeles (where the movie is being made).
This dual setting could provide interesting contrasts and challenges for our protagonists.
Meta Storytelling
One of the most intriguing aspects of the upcoming season is the meta element of the podcast becoming a movie. We know that:
Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, and Zach Galifianakis will play themselves as they take on the roles of Charles, Mabel, and Oliver in the movie.
This setup allows for commentary on Hollywood, the nature of true crime entertainment, and the impact of the trio's podcast on the real world.
Potential Themes and Storylines
Consequences of Fame: With their podcast achieving enough success to warrant a movie, the trio may face the darker side of fame and public scrutiny.
Fish Out of Water: Oliver, Charles, and Mabel's adjustment to the Hollywood lifestyle could provide both comedic moments and character growth.
Relationship Dynamics: Oliver's relationship with Loretta (Meryl Streep) will likely be explored further, especially given her move to Los Angeles at the end of Season 3.
Identity and Perception: The meta aspect of actors playing our main characters in the movie could lead to interesting explorations of how the trio sees themselves versus how the world perceives them.
The Ethics of True Crime: As their podcast becomes a bigger phenomenon, the show might delve deeper into the ethics of true crime entertainment and its real-world impact.
What to Expect: Balancing the Old and the New
Maintaining the Core Appeal
While the show is taking a bold step with its change of location, fans can expect certain elements that have made "Only Murders in the Building" a hit to remain:
The chemistry between the three leads, which has been the heart of the show.
A mix of comedy and mystery, with the show's signature wit and clever plotting.
Surprising guest stars and cameos, a staple of previous seasons.
New Elements to Look Forward To
Hollywood Satire: The Los Angeles setting opens up opportunities for the show to poke fun at the entertainment industry.
Expanded Universe: The movie-within-a-show concept allows for a broader exploration of the impact of the trio's adventures.
New Character Dynamics: The introduction of new cast members will create fresh interactions and possibly new alliances or rivalries.
Visual Style: The shift from New York to LA will likely bring a new visual aesthetic to the show, contrasting the gothic charm of The Arconia with the sun-soaked glamour of Hollywood.
Trailer and Promotional Material
Teaser Trailer Breakdown
A teaser trailer was released during Disney's upfront presentation in May 2024. Key elements include:
The immediate aftermath of Sazz's murder, showcasing the shock and confusion of our main characters.
The moment the trio learns about the movie offer, with Oliver's enthusiastic "Pack your bags, bitches. We're going to the movies!"
Brief glimpses of the new cast members in action, building excitement for their roles.
Hints at the "starriest" season yet, promising a plethora of cameos and guest appearances.
Social Media and Marketing
The show's official social media accounts have been teasing the new season with cryptic messages and behind-the-scenes photos.
Cast members have been sharing their excitement about the new season, with Selena Gomez posting a photo of the first table read on Instagram.
Fan Theories and Speculation
The "Only Murders in the Building" fandom is known for its detective work, and Season 4 has already spawned numerous theories:
The Real Target: Many fans speculate that Sazz's murder was actually an attempt on Charles' life, given their similar appearances. This theory is supported by the fact that Sazz was in Charles' apartment when she was shot.
Sazz's Final Message: The blood message Sazz attempted to leave is a major point of speculation. Theories range from it being a name to a cryptic clue about past cases.
Hollywood Conspiracy: Some fans believe the movie offer might be connected to the murder, possibly as a way to lure the trio to LA for nefarious purposes.
Returning Villains: There's speculation that past antagonists, like Jan or Teddy Dimas, might resurface in connection with the new mystery.
The Podcast's Dark Side: A popular theory suggests that the success of the podcast has created an obsessed fan or copycat killer, bringing the consequences of their investigations full circle.
Impact and Reception
Critical Acclaim
"Only Murders in the Building" has been a critical darling since its debut. Season 3 continued this trend:
It marked the highest-rated Hulu episode of 2023.
The show received nearly a dozen Emmy nominations for its previous season.
These accolades set high expectations for Season 4, with critics and fans alike eager to see how the show will evolve.
Cultural Impact
The series has had a significant impact on popular culture:
It's revitalized interest in the true-crime genre, particularly in podcast form.
The show's intergenerational friendship between its leads has been praised for its positive portrayal.
Its clever writing and plot twists have set a new standard for comedy-mystery series.
Conclusion: A Season of New Horizons
As "Only Murders in the Building" prepares to launch its fourth season, it's clear that the show is not content to rest on its laurels. The move to Los Angeles, the influx of new star power, and the meta-narrative of the podcast becoming a movie all point to a season that's willing to take risks while maintaining the core elements that fans love.
The challenge for Season 4 will be balancing the familiar with the new – keeping the intimate charm of the first three seasons while expanding the show's universe. But with the talented cast and crew involved, and the track record of excellence the show has established, there's every reason to believe that "Only Murders in the Building" will continue to surprise, delight, and keep us guessing.
As we count down the days to August 27, 2024, one thing is certain: the next chapter in the adventures of Charles, Oliver, and Mabel promises to be the most ambitious, star-studded, and potentially game-changing yet. Whether in New York or LA, there's always another murder to solve, another podcast to record, and another layer of mystery to unravel.
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