# Only Murders in the Building

> 2020s American mystery comedy-drama TV series

**Wikidata**: [Q104007235](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104007235)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Only_Murders_in_the_Building)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/only-murders-in-the-building

## Summary

Only Murders in the Building is an American mystery comedy-drama television series that premiered on Hulu on August 31, 2021, created and starring comedian Steve Martin. The series follows three strangers who form a podcast investigating murders in their Manhattan apartment building, blending true-crime podcast aesthetics with comedic character studies and mystery elements.

## Key Facts

- **Title**: Only Murders in the Building
- **Format**: Television series (streaming)
- **Genre**: Mystery comedy-drama
- **Premiere Date**: August 31, 2021
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Original Network**: Hulu
- **Production Company**: 20th Television (founded March 15, 1949)
- **Creator**: Steve Martin (American comedian, actor, musician, and writer born August 14, 1945)
- **Number of Seasons**: 5 (as of latest data)
- **Episode Count**: Approximately 50 episodes
- **Episode Runtime**: 26-38 minutes
- **IMDb ID**: tt11691774
- **Wikidata ID**: Q6255114
- **Sitelink Count**: 36 (Wikipedia links)
- **Language**: English
- **Streaming Platform**: Hulu
- **Spanish Title**: Solo Asesinatos en el Edificio
- **Hashtag**: #OnlyMurdersInTheBuilding
- **Official Social Media**: @OnlyMurdersHulu (Twitter), @onlymurdershulu (Instagram)

## FAQs

**Who created Only Murders in the Building?**

Only Murders in the Building was created by Steve Martin, the renowned American comedian, actor, musician, and writer born in 1945. Martin also stars in the series as one of the main characters, marking his first major television creation in recent years.

**What streaming service broadcasts Only Murders in the Building?**

The series streams exclusively on Hulu, an American video streaming service headquartered in Santa Monica, California, founded in March 2007 and owned by The Walt Disney Company.

**What is the premise of Only Murders in the Building?**

The series centers on three strangers—a true crime podcaster, an actress, and a playwright—who all live in the same Manhattan apartment building and form an unlikely partnership to investigate murders in their building while producing their own true crime podcast about the cases.

**How many seasons of Only Murders in the Building have been released?**

The series has produced 5 seasons, with the first season premiering on August 31, 2021. Each season continues the story of the three main characters as they investigate new mysteries within their apartment building.

**What production company makes Only Murders in the Building?**

The series is produced by 20th Television, an American television production company founded on March 15, 1949, and headquartered in Los Angeles. The company is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.

**What other notable works is Steve Martin known for?**

Beyond Only Murders in the Building, Steve Martin is known for iconic comedy films including The Jerk (1979), Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987), and Father of the Bride (1991). He has also released Grammy-winning comedy albums and is a celebrated musician and writer.

**Is Only Murders in the Building available internationally?**

Yes, the series has been distributed internationally and has been translated into multiple languages, with the Spanish title being "Solo Asesinatos en el Edificio."

## Why It Matters

Only Murders in the Building represents a significant convergence of comedy, mystery, and meta-commentary on true crime media culture. The series arrived during a peak period of true crime podcast popularity, creating a self-aware examination of the genre while delivering genuine comedic and dramatic value. Its success on Hulu demonstrated the streaming platform's ability to attract major talent like Steve Martin to original programming, validating Disney's investment in the streaming service.

The series matters because it revitalized Steve Martin's television career, marking his first major TV creation since his variety shows in the 1970s and 1980s. It also showcases the versatility of comedy veterans transitioning into streaming-era content creation. The show's format—blending comedy with murder mystery—demonstrated that genre hybridization could succeed in the crowded streaming landscape.

From a cultural perspective, Only Murders in the Building reflects contemporary fascination with true crime media while satirizing its conventions. The premise of characters creating their own true crime podcast within the show creates a multi-layered narrative that appeals to audiences interested in both the mystery genre and media criticism. The series has become a flagship title for Hulu, helping the streaming service compete with Netflix and other platforms in the comedy-drama space.

The show's ensemble cast and character-driven storytelling have also contributed to discussions about aging in television, with Martin and his co-stars demonstrating that older actors can anchor successful streaming series. This has implications for industry representation and the types of stories being told on modern platforms.

## Notable For

- **Streaming Success**: Became one of Hulu's most-watched original series, driving subscriber growth for the platform
- **Star Power**: Reunited comedy legend Steve Martin with television audiences as both creator and star
- **Genre Innovation**: Successfully merged true crime podcast culture with comedy-drama storytelling
- **Critical Acclaim**: Received positive reviews for its writing, performances, and clever meta-commentary
- **Award Recognition**: Garnered nominations and attention at major television award ceremonies
- **International Reach**: Distributed globally with translations into Spanish and other languages
- **Podcast Integration**: The within-show podcast concept influenced how real true crime media approaches storytelling
- **Hulu Flagship**: Became a cornerstone title in Hulu's original programming lineup
- **Multi-Season Run**: Achieved 5 seasons, demonstrating sustained audience interest and platform commitment
- **Cultural Relevance**: Captured and commented on contemporary true crime media fascination

## Body

### Creation and Development

Only Murders in the Building was developed by Steve Martin, marking his return to television creation after decades focused primarily on film and comedy albums. The concept emerged from Martin's interest in true crime podcasts, which have become a dominant force in modern media consumption. The series was specifically designed for Hulu, reflecting the streaming platform's strategy of attracting established Hollywood talent to original content.

Steve Martin's involvement brought significant credibility to the project. As a comedian who had already achieved success across film, television, music, and writing, his decision to create a streaming series signaled the growing prestige of television comedy-drama. Martin's comedic sensibilities inform the series' tone, which balances genuine mystery elements with character-driven humor.

### Production Details

The series is produced by 20th Television, formerly known as 20th Century Fox Television before Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox. Founded on March 15, 1949, 20th Television has produced numerous successful series across multiple decades and networks. The company's involvement ensured high production values and industry connections for casting and distribution.

Filming takes place primarily in New York City, with the Manhattan setting integral to the series' identity. The apartment building that serves as the primary location became a character in itself, with its architecture and history woven into various mystery plots.

### Streaming and Distribution

Only Murders in the Building premiered exclusively on Hulu on August 31, 2021, following a strategy of day-and-date release for all episodes in each season. This release model differs from traditional broadcast television and allows binge-viewing, which proved popular with audiences.

Hulu, the streaming platform carrying the series, was founded in March 2007 and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California. The platform has invested heavily in original programming to compete with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming services. Securing Only Murders in the Building represented a significant coup for Hulu's content strategy.

The series has been distributed internationally through various Disney-owned platforms and licensing agreements. The Spanish-language version, "Solo Asesinatos en el Edificio," demonstrates the series' international appeal and the importance of localization in streaming distribution.

### Cast and Characters

Steve Martin leads the ensemble cast as one of the three main characters who form the podcast investigation team. His performance in the series has been noted for combining his comedic timing with surprising dramatic depth. The character he plays is an older resident of the apartment building whose circumstances lead him into the mystery investigation.

The supporting cast includes other established and emerging actors, creating an ensemble dynamic that drives both the comedy and mystery elements. The interactions between the three main characters—each from different backgrounds and with different skills—form the emotional core of the series.

### Genre and Themes

Only Murders in the Building operates at the intersection of multiple genres. As a comedy-drama, it balances humorous situations and dialogue with more serious character development and emotional stakes. The mystery elements provide narrative structure and suspense, while the true crime podcast framing adds meta-commentary on contemporary media.

The series explores themes of community, isolation, aging, and the human fascination with crime and storytelling. The apartment building serves as a microcosm of New York City life, with diverse characters whose lives intersect in unexpected ways. The podcast-within-the-show format allows characters to analyze events, creating opportunities for both humor and insight.

### Cultural Impact

The series arrived during a period of intense interest in true crime media, including podcasts, documentaries, and docuseries. Only Murders in the Building both participates in and comments on this phenomenon, creating a self-aware examination of why audiences are drawn to stories about crime and investigation.

The show's success contributed to discussions about streaming platforms' investment in comedy-drama and their ability to attract major film talent. Steve Martin's involvement particularly drew attention as an example of comedy legends finding new creative outlets in the streaming era.

### Reception and Recognition

Only Murders in the Building received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its clever writing, strong performances, and successful blend of genres. The series found a substantial audience on Hulu, becoming one of the platform's most-watched original productions.

The show has received nominations at various award ceremonies, recognition that underscores its quality and cultural impact. These accolades reflect both the creative achievement of the production and the audience engagement the series generated.

### Platform Context

The series' home on Hulu places it within Disney's streaming strategy, which also includes Disney+ and ESPN+. Only Murders in the Building represents the type of adult-oriented content Hulu uses to differentiate itself from Disney's family-focused main platform. The series' success helped establish Hulu as a destination for quality original comedy-drama.

The streaming landscape in which Only Murders in the Building operates has become increasingly competitive, with platforms competing for subscriber attention through original content. The series' multi-season run demonstrates Hulu's commitment to building a library of distinctive programming.

### Related Properties

The series has generated related content including podcast episodes, behind-the-scenes features, and promotional materials. The show's title has become a recognizable brand, with merchandise and social media presence extending its reach beyond the streaming platform.

The building itself, as a fictional location, has become associated with the series' identity, similar to how other iconic television locations have taken on cultural significance. This sense of place contributes to the series' unique identity in the streaming landscape.

### Industry Significance

Only Murders in the Building represents several trends in contemporary television production: the streaming platform's willingness to attract major film talent, the hybridization of comedy and drama genres, and the integration of podcast culture into traditional narrative storytelling. The series demonstrates how streaming platforms can take creative risks that traditional broadcast networks might avoid.

The show's success has implications for future development of comedy-drama content, particularly projects that attract established performers seeking new creative challenges. Its multi-season run validates the streaming model of investing in original content that builds audience loyalty over time.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.vanityfair.fr/ecrans/article/golden-globes-2023-palmares-complet)
2. [Only Murders in the Building - Trakt](https://trakt.tv/shows/only-murders-in-the-building)