Get ready to bid the Arconia goodbye. It's confirmed that Only Murder in the Building Season 4 will be heading to Los Angeles. So who might not make the move to the West Coast for the new season?
Only Murders in the Building has been one of Hulu's biggest original series hits. Fans adore this show as aging actor Charles (Steve Martin), arrogant Broadway producer Oliver (Martin Short), and artist Mabel (Selena Gomez) investigate murders in their posh Manhattan brownstone and do a podcast on them.
Season 3 had the trio trying to solve a murder involving a Broadway star, with Oliver romancing a leading lady, played by legendary Oscar winner Meryl Streep. The season concluded with the shocking murder of Charles' longtime friend, Sazz (Jane Lynch).
That sets up an intriguing Season 4 and in an interview with Deadline, Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich confirmed the show will be heading to LA.
"Well, I'm very excited to see Steve, Martin and Selena take a little break from the apartment building and come to Los Angeles. So in the same way that John Hoffman used the canvas of Broadway to tell what I think was one of the most unique seasons you've ever seen, the same unique Only Murders take will be applied to Los Angeles, which I'm really excited about."
This is a fun twist on the show, but a key question is what characters will and won't be showing up.
Who might not be back for Only Murders in the Building Season 4?
With a move to Los Angeles, it seems pretty certain several of the recurring New York characters won't be back. A good example would be Donna Williams, the detective who clashed with the gang. Da'Vine Joy Randolph was absent for most of Season 3 due to filming The Holdovers, which earned her an Oscar nomination. It's unlikely they could invent a plausible excuse for Williams to trek to LA and with her growing fame, Randolph may be reduced to a cameo for Season 4 at best.
It's also unlikely to see a return for Teddy Dimas. Nathan Lane was totally absent from Season 3 as he was doing a Broadway show during filming. Like Williams, it's hard to see the writers explaining why Teddy would be in L.A.
There is a chance for Andrea Martin to return as Charles's former girlfriend Joy Payne. They broke up when Charles was forced to confess he only proposed to Joy in a "fugue state." She left him a message hinting she was now hooking up with Scott Bakula, so Charles running into both would be fun.
Then there's the issue of Loretta, as Season 3 ended with her heading to LA to film a TV show with Oliver tagging along. So it would make sense they're together, but given Meryl Streep's very busy schedule, it'd be tricky. Erwich did admit he wasn't sure if Streep would return but is hopeful.
"I don't have anything to share, but I thought she gave one of the best television performances of the year last year. I've listened to that song she has sung probably a dozen times. I can never get tired of it."
Production should be beginning by the summer of 2024, with a likely release date of early 2025. While moving our trio out of New York is a daring move, it should make Season 4 of Only Murders in the Building even better than ever.
Only Murders in the Building is available to stream on Hulu.