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Only Murders in the Building makes a comeback for season 5 with the misadventures of Charles, Oliver, and Mabel as they cope with the unexpected death of Lester. The premiere date is September 9, 2025, with three premiering now and then weekly on Hulu and Disney+. The comedy-mystery series has the three trying to solve mysteries in their mundane lives, relationships, and rising fame from the podcast.
Only Murders in the Building Season 5 will remain faithful to the tone of suspense, humor, and character building of the series. There is both a returning and new cast in the season, adding to the narrative in Arconia and beyond. With increased mob involvement and typical cases being investigated from previous seasons, season five is already shaping up to be a change of pace for the show, both in terms of building character and new directions for the detectives to explore.
The cast and character guide for Only Murders in the Building Season 5 is available here.
Only Murders in the Building Season 5's central trio
Charles-Haden Savage – Steve Martin
Steve Martin once again plays the role of Charles-Haden Savage in Only Murders in the Building Season 5, the retired television actor who gained fame portraying a detective on the fictional crime television show Brazzos. Once a TV heartthrob, Charles now pursues his love of mystery through co-hosting the Only Murders in the Building podcast with Oliver and Mabel.
Charles continues throughout Season 5, juggling both the murder case and his personal life. His on-field comeback has been fostered in earlier seasons, so Brazzos was revamped, and his podcast was well-known. Season 4 also set up Charles' return to reunite with family members, particularly his sister, as a prelude to further exploration of his life in Season 5.
As the truth about Lester's death is finally exposed, Charles's combination of brains, coolness, and analytical mind remains central to the trio's success.
Oliver Putnam – Martin Short
Martin Short takes over the part of Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building Season 5, a retired Broadway producer whose career was destroyed by one massive flop. An over-the-top, hyperventilating figure, Oliver is constantly seeking means to restore his reputation and reattain past glories. Being on the podcast is a chance for Oliver to use his theatre interest as a resource for a new raison d'être.
Oliver married Loretta Durkin, a season-shattering personal-life evolution in Season 4's finale. The honeymoon was preceded by the off-screen death of Lester in a Season 5 promo. Marriage to Loretta and having the investigation needs can be anticipated to be in sync with Oliver in a comedy misadventure-polluted marriage replete with high-stakes confrontations.
His imagination, spontaneity, and thespian qualities continue to underwrite the three-person investigation modus operandi.
Mabel Mora – Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez stars as Mabel Mora in Only Murders in the Building Season 5, the youngest member of the team. Mabel is still searching for her place in the world, typically stuck between personal aspirations and keeping up with the podcast. She has evolved throughout the series into a competent investigator, typically providing insight and intuition that Charles and Oliver lack.
Only Murders in the Building Season 5 continues Mabel's personal growth. Having attempted to start a personal podcasting career towards the end of Season 4, she may look for other lines of progression beyond the Arconia or her partnership with Charles and Oliver. Mabel's resolve, creativity, and resourcefulness make her a valuable member of the team despite being relatively inexperienced.
The season will likely feature increased focus on her growing independence without discounting her from solving Lester's murder.
Returning characters of Only Murders in the Building Season 5
Howard Morris – Michael Cyril Creighton
Michael Cyril Creighton plays Howard Morris in Only Murders in the Building Season 5, the Arconia's resident oddball and cat man, as he returns. Despite being presented as nosy and quirky in his initial appearances, Howard has evolved into an integral support system for the main trio.
Howard remains the team's unofficial sidekick in Season 5, performing odd tasks and errands as well as snooping. His assignments put him into danger, but he has always been safe. Howard's usefulness, dedication, and occasional dry wit make him a pleasant addition to the investigative team, filling in the holes in the personality of the trio and smoothing over the social niceties of building life.
Loretta Durkin – Meryl Streep
Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep continues to play Oliver's wife and aspiring actress, Loretta Durkin. Loretta was brought into Season 3, and her love of acting and relationship with Oliver were the central storyline. Season 4 concluded with their wedding interrupted, and their fate riding on the response that will be found.
Season 5 follows Loretta as she continues in her relationship with Oliver while trying to maintain a married life and belonging to Lester's investigation. Her character adds depth to the romantic subplot in the series as an antithesis to the showy and irresponsible nature of Oliver.
With her number of episodes being unavailable, several are anticipated of her as she assists the couple in addressing personal and investigation issues.
Detective Donna Williams – Da'Vine Joy Randolph
Detective Williams has been a fixture since season one of the show. Because she is the NYPD liaison to the trio, she has a two-fold role: keeping them out of investigations and sometimes providing them with useful tips.
Season 5 proposes an even more central role for Detective Williams as the show delves into New York's underworld and mob politics. Her police training and pragmatism serve as a constant anchor within the tumult caused by Charles, Oliver, and Mabel.
Fans will expect her to have to choose between keeping everything on track and assisting the amateur detectives through more dangerous situations.
Theodore "Teddy" Dimas – Nathan Lane
Teddy Dimas, played by Nathan Lane in Only Murders in the Building Season 5, is Oliver's wealthy enemy with a shady past between the team and Oliver. A former villain, Teddy is back in Season 5, rekindling old flames and family drama.
Teddy's history with Oliver, including previous relationships and family, is also the source of tension when Oliver starts fresh with Loretta. His return is conflict and richness in the stories, relevance to the overall themes of legacy, competition, and what people do to others.
Season 5 will be about displaying how Teddy's return impacts the case and personal lives of the three.
Sofia Caccimelio – Téa Leoni
Téa Leoni guest stars in Only Murders in the Building Season 5 as Sofia Caccimelio, who first appears at the end of Season 4. Sofia hires the trio to investigate her missing husband Nicky's disappearance, which is connected with New York's crime syndicates.
Sofia's arrival expands the series' storyline beyond the Arconia, introducing new issues and stakes. Her story is the centerpiece of Season 5's new mystery, linking old arcs to new threats. How her investigation crosses over with Lester's murder remains a key element of the season's tension.
New additions in Only Murders in the Building Season 5
Season 5 also boasts a sequence of big-name guest stars, introducing new tension and dynamics to the show:
Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Caccimelio – Vanished, "Dry-Cleaning King of New York," whose disappearance is mob-associated.
Renée Zellweger – Not announced role, possibly suspect or lead role.
Logan Lerman – Recurring guest star; as-yet-undisclosed role.
Christoph Waltz – Guest starring in an as-yet-untitled part.
Keegan-Michael Key – Unannounced part; likely to add comedic or dramatic depth.
Beanie Feldstein as Althea – New cast member who is probably a victim in the investigation in some way.
Jermaine Fowler – Role not announced.
Richard Kind as Vince Fish – Return Season 4 as an Arconia West Tower resident in the group of trio.
These additions add both storyline and series ensemble, introducing new relationships, suspects, and complicating elements to the case.
Only Murders in the Building Season 5 synopsis
Season 5 centers on the killing of Lester and its consequences, interweaving the mystery into interpersonal development for the trio. The investigations expand beyond the Arconia to New York's world of organized crime, from mafia stories around Sofia Caccimelio to Nicky's disappearance.
The season remains true to the mix of humor, suspense, and character drama that this show has been accustomed to offering, offering a rich tapestry for new viewers as well as long-time fans.
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The dynamic between returning cast, new additions, and continued unresolved past tension ensures Season 5 continues delivering on the multi-layered storytelling that has been the hallmark of Only Murders in the Building.
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