Whenever there’s a murder at the Arconia you will invariably find Charles Savage, Oliver Putnam, and Mabel Mora at the scene. WithOnly Murders in the BuildingSeason 3making a splash on Hulu this year, we finally got our chance to rendezvous with our favorite crime-solving trio from New York City once more. This new season has a lot more interesting characters apart from the leading trio, including a new star murder victim. Created bySteve MartinandJohn Hoffman,Only Murders in the Buildingrevolves around three people, all of them avid true-crime podcast fans, who live in New York’s prestigious Upper West Side building, the Arconia. When a murder happens on their very home ground, the misfits band together to investigate and solve the case, while also developing an unlikely friendship along the way. And what better way to do that for podcast fans than to start a crime podcast of their own? Season 3 begins one year after the events of the second season, with Oliver premiering his new play when suddenly his lead actor, Ben Glenroy, drops dead on stage. And thus, the trio is back to being amateur crime solvers, once again.
Since its premiere in August 2021,Only Murders in the Buildinghas made a mark with its unique storytelling, performances, and stellar cast, earning it critical acclaim. In each season, we have seen some remarkable guest stars likeTina Fey,Jane Lynch,Sting,Amy Schumer, etc. joining the returning fan-favorite trio of Steve Martin,Martin Short, andSelena Gomez. But Season 3 by far hosts the most terrific ensemble, withthree-time Academy Award-winnerMeryl Streepand MCU starPaul Rudd, among many new entrants.Only Murders in the BuildingSeason 3 premiered on Hulu on August 08, 2025, and you can stream it now to catch up on all the madcap adventures of our investigative trio. But first, tead on to find out about all the key characters ofOnly Murders in the BuildingSeason 3 and the talented actors who play them.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on November 6.
Only Murders in the Building
Three strangers in a New York City apartment building bond over their shared interest in true crime and form an unlikely team to investigate a suspicious death in their complex. Their amateur sleuthing quickly evolves into a thrilling quest as they navigate secrets, lies, and unexpected twists.
Steve Martin as Charles Savage
Charles-Haden Savage is a (semi) retired actor, who once used to be the star of the hit 90s TV crime dramaBrazzos. A big fan of true-crime podcasts, he teams up with Mabel and Oliver when a murder upsets their peaceful and prestigious community. Charles is a friendly and generally nice neighbor, best known for his witty one-liners, but is very challenged when it comes to technology. Since his last long relationship ended, he hasn’t really dated anyone, except for a woman in his building in Season 1, who turned out to be a murderer. But life and Season 2 gave him a chance to rekindle his bond with his ex’s daughter, Lucy, with whom he shares a father-daughter relationship. In Season 3, Charles is at the beginning of a new relationship with his old makeup artist and trying to prove his chops on the Broadway stage, both of which lead to some hilarity and emotional turmoil.
Multiple Grammy Award winner Steve Martin plays the character of Charles Savage in what is turning out to be his longest television role to date. A multitalented actor-producer-writer-comedian-musician, Martin is almost synonymous with classic comedies. From his beginnings as a successful stand-up artist of the 1970s, Steve Martin has evolved into a comedy icon, best known for films likeFather of the BrideandThree Amigos, both of which also feature hisOMITBco-star, Martin Short. He also starred in hit comedy films likePlanes, Trains, and Automobiles,Cheaper by the Dozen, and thePink Pantherduology, and hashostedSaturday Night Live16 times. Martin is also a co-creator, writer, and executive producer ofOnly Murders in the Building.
Martin Short as Oliver Putnam
Oliver is the heart of the trio and the brain behind the in-story true-crime podcast “Only Murders in the Building”, where he solves the murders at the Arconia with Charles and Mabel. He is eccentric, ambitious, and over-the-top, living with his dog and beyond his means. He is always cash-strapped but refuses to give up on his dreams and aspirations. In other words, the once-famous Broadway director is still full of life, and it is his attitude that keeps the excitement and thrill alive for the gang. After a long struggle with work, family, and a semi-estranged son, Oliver has finally managed to mend some of his relationships and put together his latest theater production. However, the lead actor’s death on the opening night could sabotage his success. Season 3 is set to give Oliver a deeper examination than ever before as we see many sides of the character come out as he struggles with his latest project and the murder that threatens to destroy it.
Oliver Putnam’s character is played by Emmy and Tony winner Martin Short, who seems to fit into the role like hand-in-glove. A contemporary of Steve Martin, Short also began his career with sketch comedy shows and stage roles and is a prolific voice actor. BesidesFather of the BrideandThree Amigos, Short is best known for his work in films likeClifford,Mars Attacks!,Frankenweenie, etc., and in select episodes of television shows likeDamages,Primetime Glick,How I Met Your Mother, andThe Morning Show, among several other shows and series across various genres. Short also serves as an executive producer forOnly Murders in the Building.
Selena Gomez as Mabel Mora
If Charles and Oliver bring comic relief to the trio’s detective business, Mabel Mora shows them the hard facts. She is a young artist living in her aunt’s apartment in the Arconia. In the first season, when her childhood friend from the building gets killed, she befriends Charles and Oliver to solve the case. Mabel is usually less dramatic than her friends and looks at puzzles more objectively, a skill she learned from her father when she was a child. Although she is relieved to have spent a year without a murder by the time Season 3 begins, Mabel seems excited to solve the case of Ben Glenroy’s death. Season 3 brings big changes for Mabel, especially with her friends doing big things together without her involvement. But nothing brings these three together like a homicide, so hopefully their relationship won’t get too strained. Hopefully.
Actor-producer-musician-entrepreneur Selena Gomez stars as Mabel Mora. A former Disney star, Gomez had her acting breakthrough with Disney Channel’sWizards of Waverly Placeseries, and its spin-off film,Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie. Her other notable films includeMonte Carlo,Spring Breakers,Ramona and Beezus, andThe Dead Don’t Die, among others. Besides acting, Gomez is an accomplished singer/musician and has six albums with her former band,Selena Gomez & the Scene, and three solos. She is also the executive producer for Netflix’s13 Reasons Whyas well as forOnly Murders in the Building.
Paul Rudd as Ben Gilroy
Ben is the lead actor in Oliver’s latest Broadway play, and also the murder victim. His sudden death on stage on the play’s opening night shocks everyone and sets up the case for the third season. From arecently released clip by Hulu, it appears that Ben has some misgivings about one of his co-stars, but we don’t know who it is yet. Also, Charles seems to have some issues with Ben and there’s something bad about Ben that he knows which clearly indicates some kind of tension between the two actors. The third season will most likely reveal more of Ben’s backstory and how he came to be a part of Oliver’s play. In a way, Ben can be seen as a satire of the successful commercial actor.
Marvel star and celebrated Hollywood actor Paul Rudd plays the role of Ben Glenroy. He might now be best known as Marvel’s Ant-Man/Scott Lang, but Rudd has a history of great roles across film and television, beginning with his debut in 1995’sClueless. Often considered an A-list comedy actor, he is best known for his work in films likeAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,The 40-Year-Old Virgin,I Love You Man,Dinner for Schmucks, etc. In television, Rudd had a recurring role inFriendsand also starred inWet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp,Parks and Recreation, Netflix’sLiving with Yourself(which he also executive produced), and the recent Apple TV+ drama,The Shrink Next Door. Rudd is next set to appear in an untitledGhostbusters: Afterlifesequeland voice Mondo Gecko inTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.
Meryl Streep as Loretta Durkin
The biggest surprise inOnly Murders in the BuildingSeason 3 is perhaps the addition of Meryl Streep. We know very little about her character in the series from the teasers and promos, apart from the fact that she’s a Broadway actor appearing in Oliver’s play. Rest assured, Loretta is a big part ofOnly MurdersSeason 3 and her arc is one to watch out for. First introduced as an older actor who has never quite managed to make her mark, Loretta is a very layered individual with a great secret that might make her a prime suspect.
The third season of the murder mystery comedy marks a reunion for Streep and Martin, as they previously appeared together in the 2009 rom-com filmIt’s Complicated. An iconic Hollywood star and an industry veteran, Streep is best known for her work in films likeKramer vs. KramerandSophie’s Choice, withiconic performancesinThe Devil Wears Prada,Mamma Mia, andLet Them All Talk, among others. In television roles, she appeared inAngels in America,Big Little LiesSeason 2, and Apple TV+’sExtrapolations, among many others.
Andrea Martin as Joy
Joy is Charles’ longtime makeup artist and friend. They met on the sets ofBrazzosand formed a close bond, probably even having a brief romance. Eventually, she retired, as did Charles. After many years, while working on the legacy reboot ofBrazzos, Charles calls on Joy to break out of her retired life and be his makeup artist again. During this time, the two old friends and lovers share a kiss and rekindle their romance. In the new season, she is still very much a part of Charles’ life and the two are dating. However, their new relationship goes through some significant struggles because let’s face it, Charles has no idea how to be with someone.
Andrea Martinplays the role of Joy. An actor, singer, and comedian, Martin is best known for her roles in films likeBlack Christmas, theMy Big Fat Greek Weddingfilms,Wag the Dog,Anastasia, etc., and in television shows likeSecond City TelevisionandThe Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley, as well as several voice roles. Martin also recently reprised her role of Voula in the upcomingMy Big Fat Greek Wedding 3.
Michael Cyril Creighton as Howard Morris
A resident of the Arconia with a great love of the stage,Michael Cyril Creighton’s fan-favorite character Howard Morrisreturns inOnly Murders in the BuildingSeason 3. A recurring character on the show from the start, Howard has a significantly bigger role in Season 3, having been bumped up to series regular status. In the season, Howard works as Oliver’s assistant, desperately trying to help the play in any way he can. Secretly, Howard yearns for the stage and dreams that perhaps one day, he’ll get to do more than sweep it. He also has a weird rivalry going on with the stage manager, K.T. Knoblauer (Allison Guinn). Michael Cyril Creighton, by comparison, has had a successful career on the stage and is also known for his work inHigh Maintenance,Jack in a Box, and the 2015 Academy Award-winning movieSpotlight.
Jackie Hoffman as Uma Heller
The Arconia’s resident grouch,Jackie Hoffman’s Uma Heller does not like Oliver, Charles, or Mabel. But, to be fair, she doesn’t like most people, things, or experiences. Perhaps there’s a softer side to this recurring character, who’s another face that’s been with us since Season 1. Jackie Hoffman’s best-known works apart fromOnly Murders in the Buildinginclude the miniseriesFeud: Bette and JoanandGrease: Rise of the Pink Ladies.
Jason Veasey as Jonathan Bridgecroft
Jason Veasey’s Jonathan Bridgecroft is Howard’s love interest and a fellow resident of the Arconia, first introduced in Season 2. In the new season, Jonathan is called on to play a large role, literally, as he’s Ben Glenroy’s understudy. With the lead star dead, it falls to Jonathan to play the main character, but the anxiety and pressure he feels as a result could be Jonathan’s undoing. The circumstances in which he got the role alsobriefly make him a suspectbut then again, who isn’t one?
Ashley Park as Kimber
Joy RidestarAshley Parkappears as Kimber, a Broadway ingénue who is starring in Oliver’s play. She’s also an entrepreneur and influencer and generally spends every waking moment hustling to achieve the fame and fortune she seeks.Don Darryl RiveraandGerald Caesarplay her co-stars Bobo Malone and Ty Wessex.
