Only Murders in the Building sees Steve Martin delving into the fascinating world of true crime podcasts for a comedy whodunnit that sees him team up with old pal and frequent co-star Martin Short, as well as former teen star Selena Gomez.
The comedy-drama, airing August 31 on Hulu in the US and Star via Disney+ in the UK, see Steve as actor Charles, who was once the star of a fictional 1990s cop show, Brazzos, but is now struggling to find work. He lives in the Arconia building in New York City, and, when one of the other residents is found dead in suspicious circumstances, Charles forges an unlikely bond with two neighbors and fellow true-crime podcast enthusiasts — cash-strapped theatre director Oliver (Short) and artistic Mabel (Gomez) — as they try to crack the case and make their own podcast. But their own secrets also start to come to the fore…
Here, Steve Martin, who also co-created Only Murders in the Building, tells us more...
Only Murders in the Building sounds like it was a blast to film. What was your thinking behind it?
“I had this idea because I'm a true crime ‘fan’. I'm interested in the solving of crime, so I’ve listened to a lot of true crime podcasts. But it is one of the most unusual things I've ever done because it actually has a plot. I usually don’t do things with plots!”
Did you always intend it to be a comedy rather than a straight crime show?
“No, because it was originally conceived for older actors, and then Marty said to me, ‘Well, you're old!’ So the comedy came because of the casting, the writing and the performances. If you’d cast three serious actors, it'd be a very different show.”
We see you in several flashback scenes from when Charles was the star of Brazzos, were they a laugh to do?
“I decided, with the director, that it was very important to play it straight. Otherwise, it wouldn't be real, but the strange thing is, I played it straight and it looks like a spoof!”
What was it like working with Selena?
“I dance around the house to her music all the time! But I didn't know of her theatrical, movie or television work, so I looked it up, and I thought, 'Oh she's going to be young, she's a beginner.' But she's done more movies than I have! With Selena on screen, the show is suddenly elevated, it's more mysterious and interesting. The camera loves her, and I would say it likes me, and it's fine with Marty!”
And did you enjoy reuniting with Martin after making Three Amigos and the Father of the Bride films together and doing your two-man stage tour?
“Yes, we’re friends. We just get along at a humorous level. And we don't get neurotic. We'll say, ‘You take that line, that sounds more like you.’ Then Marty will say, ‘Can I have the other line too?!’ I just think we're lucky to have this thing late in life that's so much fun.”
Where can I watch Only Murders in the Building?
The 10-part season will air in the US on Hulu and in the UK as part of the Star brand on Disney+ from Tuesday August 31. The first three episodes will be available from launch, and the rest will air weekly.
