Since its premiere in 2021, Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building has captured a loyal and growing fanbase. Set in the fictional Arconia residence building in Manhattan, the series follows three amateur sleuths — Mabel, Charles, and Oliver — as they investigate murders in their building while reporting on them on their podcast. The trio is played by Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Oliver Short, respectively. Everyone knew Martin and Short had incredible chemistry, but Gomez slots right into this charismatic trio.
Each season, the show focuses on a different murder and has a roster of iconic guest stars. Sting, Amy Schumer, Matthew Broderick, Meryl Streep (who is now a recurring character), and Paul Rudd are just a few who have appeared. Season 4 marks a lot of changes for OMITB. Firstly, a portion of the show has shifted from the East Coast to the West, taking place in Los Angeles. And the show is continuing its trend with a long list of guest talent. Continue reading about which new faces you can spot in the latest season.
8 Molly Shannon
Molly Shannon knows how to handle comedy. After years spent working on Saturday Night Live, as well as in classics like Never Been Kissed and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, viewers would expect nothing less. And her recent role in the hit black comedy The White Lotus, which can be summed up best as “rich people drama,” there’s no question her comedy skills translate in both film and television.
Calling the Shots
She joins the OMITB cast as Bev Melon, a producer at Paramount Studios who wants to adapt the podcast to the big screen. Her character is determined to capitalize on the hype around the podcast, saying no price is too high for her. She also has to smooth over a few bumpy interactions between the actors she hired for the film and their real-life counterparts. If the first episode is any indication, Bev’s role in the show is a critical component in solving this season’s crime.
7 Richard Kind
Who knew audiences would get a bit of Pixar mixed in with a comedic murder mystery? Richard Kind has voiced characters in several Pixar films, from A Bug’s Life to Toy Story 3. In recent years, it was likely his portrayal of Bing Bong in Inside Out that endeared him to audiences. Kind does not pigeonhole himself into one kind of role, branching out across genres and even to Broadway.
A Really Nice (and strange) Guy
For OMITB, he plays Vince Fish, a resident of the Arconia, specifically the West Tower, and thus is one of the “Westies.” We meet him in episode two, Gates of Heaven. He noticeably sports an eye patch, which may or may not be tied into Charles’ claim that Vince gives him the “stink eye.” Nevertheless, Vince seems friendly enough, often hanging out with other Westies and adding to the Arconia’s peculiar cast of residents.
6 Melissa McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy hardly needs an introduction. The Academy Award-nominated actress has been a staple in comedies, both film and series, for decades. Gilmore Girls, Bridesmaids, Mike & Molly, and Nine Perfect Strangers don’t have much in common with each other besides all having McCarthy present with her impeccable comedic timing and wit.
So Much Anticipation
While having McCarthy play herself on OMITB would be great, as such a great character actress, audiences can look forward to her embodying someone new. Namely, she’ll play the role of Charles’ sister from Long Island. As of early September, we haven’t yet seen her character in action. But the first looks of McCarthy in the getup has primed fans for her appearance.
5 Jin Ha
Hulu
Jin Ha has been involved in projects like the musical Hamilton as well as the book-to-screen adaptation series Pachinko. The latter won a Peabody Award in Entertainment. For OMITB, we know his character name: Marshall Peepope. His character’s profession: a screenwriter for the podcast’s film adaptation. And a few key traits that have floated around in early reports painting him as quirky and/or nosy. These qualities are perfect for a character in a mystery.
Many Unknowns
Besides these basic facts, his involvement in the show is unknown. To some fans’ annoyance and others’ tolerance, Mabel has a new love interest each season. Could Ha be her latest partner in crime turned romantic partner?
4 Scott Bakula
Hulu
Early on, viewers discover the murder victim of this season is the iconic Sazz, played by Jane Lynch. She was first introduced as Charles’ stunt double, who often steals his girlfriends. Though Sazz has only been in a handful of episodes, she has made a big impression on the show. But Sazz’s time is coming to an end, as she was shot at the end of season three and her murder is the focal point for season four. So how exactly does Scott Bakula come into all of this?
The First Domino
Bakula, known for his longstanding role as a special agent in NCIS: New Orleans, plays himself in season 4’s first episode, “Once Upon a Time in the West.” Ignorant of Sazz’s murder, Charles doesn’t think twice when he receives a text from his old pal that she’s off to L.A. for a job. That job is to body double for none other than Scott Bakula. It’s when Charles meets Bakula who states Sazz never showed up that alarm bells start going off. Though he won’t have a prominent role in the season, his involvement serves as the catalyst for the ensuing investigation.
3 Siena Werber and Catherine Cohen
Hulu
Siena Werber is an up-and-coming actress whose first major project was a supporting role in Brand New Cherry Flavor, an underrated Netflix horror series. Catherine Cohen is a stand-up comedian who had a Netflix special called The Twist…? She’s Gorgeous. In Only Murders in the Building, the two play one-half of the Brothers sisters. Tawny Brothers (Werber) and Trina Brothers (Cohen) are co-directors of the podcast’s film adaptation.
How Important Are They?
As such, they hold a lot of power over Mabel, Charles, and Oliver’s future. They even ask them to sign over their life rights in order to get the film onto the screen. The show seems to be setting them up as slight antagonists, albeit hilarious ones. However, the question about whether they are the “big bad” remains to be seen.
2 Kumail Nanjiani
Hulu
Actor Kumail Nanjiani is no stranger to comedy series. Many will recognize him as Dinesh in the hit HBO series Silicon Valley, which ended in 2019. Nanjiani also nabbed a lead role in a Hulu show titled Welcome to Chippendales (2022). More recently, he’s gotten major film work in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) and the animated children’s movie Migration (2023).
A Key Piece to the Puzzle
Back in March 2024, Variety broke the news that Nanjiani was added to the cast for season 4. We know his name is Rudy Thurber and he’s an Arconia resident. According to the publication, Nanjiani’s character is “integral to this season’s investigation.” We also know that he has a love for Christmas sweaters and Mr. Haden-Savage finds that a bit suspicious. But his apartment is filled with Christmas cheer as Mabel and Eva Longoria go to ask him a few questions, so maybe he can’t be that bad, can he?
1 Eva Longoria, Eugene Levy, and Zach Galifianakis
Image via Hulu
Now that the podcast is popular, the gang is contacted by a representative of Paramount Pictures (Bev Melon) about a possible film adaptation. This is what sends them off to L.A. The actors who play them are none other than Eva Longoria (Mabel), Eugene Levy (Charles), and Zach Galifianakis (Oliver). The meeting between them all is awkward, to say the least, as the actors are dressed in some of their most iconic outfits and attempting to act like them.
Lots of Fun Moments in Store
The push and pull between Oliver and Zach is probably the most entertaining of the three. As viewers know, Oliver loves being in the spotlight, and sharing it with Zach isn’t ideal. And Eva wants to know if they must use the name ‘Mabel.’ Which, yes, the actual Mabel would prefer.
To get into their roles and truly capture their essence, Eva and the others decide to do character studies. Which means hanging around a lot. Of course, a new murder this season is going to compete for their subjects’ attention. But viewers can expect the Hollywood versions of Mabel, Charles, and Zach, to get involved.
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