“Meryl Streep takes the Aussie mystery to new heights in Only Murders in the Building season three”

Meryl Streep Joins Only Murders in the Building for Season Three

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Murder mystery series Only Murders in the Building has returned for a third season, and this time it stars one of the biggest names in the industry: Meryl Streep. With an illustrious career and more Academy Award nominations than any other actor, Streep hardly needs an introduction. But if you’re yet to watch Only Murders in the Building and don’t know where to start, consider this your shortcut guide to the star-studded, critically acclaimed comedy-drama that’s tapped into the booming “cosy crime” genre.

What’s Only Murders in the Building about?

Only Murders in the Building is a comedy-drama that critiques the culture of true crime as entertainment. It has received several Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominations. The series follows three New Yorkers who live in the same exclusive Upper East Side apartment building, the Arconia, and bond over their love of true crime.

There’s Charles, played by comedy great Steve Martin, a retired actor who won’t let you forget he was the star of a popular crime series, Brazzos, back in the 90s. Then there’s Oliver, played by Martin Short, a Broadway director whose career has ebbed and flowed over the years. Finally, there’s Mabel, played by Selena Gomez, a young artist living alone in her aunt’s apartment. Their paths cross during a building evacuation when they take shelter at the diner across the street and discover they’re all fans of the same true crime podcast. But when the Arconia turns into a murder scene, they start recording their own podcast as they try to crack the case.

Where are we up to in season three?

We won’t spoil any of the previous shenanigans, but the premise of season three was laid out at the end of season two. In the final few minutes of last season’s finale, we meet an actor called Ben, played by none other than Ant-Man’s Paul Rudd. The curtain is just about to go up on the opening night production of Oliver’s latest Broadway show. But moments earlier, Charles has a tense conversation backstage with Ben and tells him “I know what you did”, and “stay away from her.” Then it’s curtain up, but Ben only manages to get one line out before collapsing on stage.

It sparks a million questions ahead of season three: Who is Ben? Why does he have beef with Charles? Was he poisoned? And by whom? Is he actually dead? With every cast member of the production embroiled in the incident, it’s up to our crime-solving trio to get sleuthing before it’s too late. If you think that’s all the screen time Paul Rudd is going to get, don’t fret—season three has plenty of flashbacks as the gang investigates what happened.

So how does Meryl Streep play into all of this?

Meryl Streep’s involvement in season three had been so under wraps that not even Streep herself knew the fate of her character while filming. Thanks to the trailer, we can glean that Streep plays an actor in the Broadway production. After she bombs her first table read, it looks like Rudd’s character is keen to kick her off the production.

What is “cosy crime”?

Cosy crime, or cosy mystery, is a subgenre of crime and thriller novels that focuses on whimsical whodunits instead of graphic violence. These stories often take place in small communities where everyone knows each other, with amateur sleuths using town gossip to solve the case. Only Murders in the Building fits most of the cosy crime requirements with its autumn-themed opening sequence, homey sets, and warm color palette of its costumes.

Cosy crime is not a new concept, with legendary author Agatha Christie’s work falling neatly into this category. However, the genre has experienced a resurgence in recent years, both in literature and onscreen. Popular examples include the film Knives Out, starring Daniel Craig as a gentleman sleuth, and the novel trilogy The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.

How can I watch Only Murders in the Building?

The first two episodes of season three of Only Murders in the Building will be available on Disney+ starting August 8, with new episodes dropping weekly. While there is no confirmation about a potential fourth season, co-creator John Hoffman hinted at the possibility, stating that “there’s always a mystery to be solved somewhere.”