In a groundbreaking move, Hulu has officially renewed its hit mystery-comedy Only Murders in the Building for a sixth season, with a shocking twist: the beloved trio of Charles, Oliver, and Mabel will pack their bags and head across the pond to London. This unprecedented change, announced on the same day as the explosive Season 5 finale, promises to redefine the series as fans grapple with the dramatic events that closed out their time at the Arconia.
The walls of the iconic Arconia building on the Upper West Side will be eerily quiet for the next season as Only Murders in the Building takes its acclaimed true-crime podcasting premise to an entirely new international setting. Hulu officially announced the renewal for a sixth season, confirming that the fan-favorite whodunnit will be set and filmed in London, a dramatic pivot for the series that has until now been intrinsically linked to its New York City backdrop.
The news, first reported by Variety, arrived concurrently with the release of the Season 5 finale, leaving viewers with a monumental cliffhanger and an entirely new mystery to anticipate. This bold decision to move the setting marks a significant evolution for the show, promising fresh intrigues and a whole new landscape for Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) to navigate.
From the Arconia to the London Fog: The Finale’s Shocking Setup
The Season 5 finale of Only Murders in the Building served as a direct springboard for the upcoming London adventure. After successfully solving the perplexing death of their beloved doorman, Lester (Teddy Coluca), and foiling Mayor Beau Tillman’s (Keegan-Michael Key) plans to demolish the Arconia for a casino, the trio seemed ready for a moment of peace. The finale revealed that Mayor Tillman was arrested for Lester’s murder, while Camilla White (Renée Zellweger) and her billionaire associates Jay Pflug (Logan Lerman) and Bash Steed (Christoph Waltz) were implicated in covering up Nicky Caccimelio’s (Bobby Cannavale) accidental death by Lester.
However, tranquility was short-lived. Three months post-investigation, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel were engrossed in the latest true-crime podcast from their rival, Cinda Canning (Tina Fey). Cinda, last seen in Season 3, Episode 4, made a surprise return, narrating a new case from London titled “The Girl With the Curls,” centered on a red-haired woman accused of murder amidst the city’s iconic fog. The narrative took a dark turn when a bleeding red-haired woman collapsed at the gates of the Arconia, her dying breath occurring within the building’s boundaries, making it technically another “only murders in the building” case.
The ultimate shock came when the woman’s identity was revealed: it was none other than Cinda Canning herself, discovered by the Arconia’s building manager, Howard (Michael Cyril Creighton). This dramatic event sets the stage for the trio’s journey, compelling them to leave New York to investigate what appears to be Cinda’s own mysterious demise or involvement in the London case she was reporting on.
What Does the London Move Mean for Fans?
The decision to relocate the primary setting to London has generated immense buzz within the fan community. While the Arconia itself has been a character in the series, offering a familiar and contained environment for mysteries, the sprawling, historic backdrop of London opens up a wealth of new narrative possibilities.
Fans are speculating about:
- New Guest Stars: The show is known for its stellar lineup of guest actors. A London setting could introduce an exciting array of British talent to join the cast.
- Cultural Quirks: How will Charles, Oliver, and Mabel adapt to British customs, humor, and investigative practices? The contrast between their American sensibilities and London’s unique charm promises comedic gold.
- Different Types of Mysteries: Will the London murders draw from historical events, royal intrigues, or a completely new criminal underworld distinct from New York’s mobsters and billionaires?
As TVLine reported, the press release confirming Season 6 specifically states that the “beloved crime-solving trio” will leave New York City “to investigate London’s newest mystery,” though it does not yet specify which other cast members might return. However, given Tina Fey’s central role in the Season 5 cliffhanger, her significant presence in the next 10 episodes is a strong possibility.
Looking Back at Season 5’s Star-Studded Cast
Season 5 continued the show’s tradition of attracting an impressive ensemble of talent. Alongside the core trio, recurring and guest stars delivered memorable performances. The detailed logline for Season 5 outlined an investigation that plunged the trio into “the shadowy corners of New York and beyond,” exploring a dangerous web connecting “powerful billionaires, old-school mobsters and the mysterious residents of the Arconia.”
Key actors who enriched the narrative of Season 5 included:
- Meryl Streep
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph
- Richard Kind
- Nathan Lane
- Bobby Cannavale
- Renée Zellweger
- Logan Lerman
- Christoph Waltz
- Téa Leoni
- Keegan-Michael Key
- Beanie Feldstein
- Dianne Wiest
- Jermaine Fowler
- Michael Cyril Creighton
- Teddy Coluca
The series was co-created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, who also serve as executive producers alongside Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Dan Fogelman, Jess Rosenthal, Ben Smith, and JJ Philbin. This consistent creative team hints at the show’s continued commitment to its unique blend of humor, heart, and suspense, even as it ventures into new territory.
While a release date for Only Murders in the Building Season 6 has yet to be announced, the anticipation for Charles, Oliver, and Mabel’s U.K.-set investigation is already reaching a fever pitch. Fans will undoubtedly be eagerly awaiting more intel and casting news as production gears up for this exciting new chapter.
