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I Genuinely Cannot Watch “Only Murders In The Building” The Same Way After Learning These 23 Fascinating Facts And Details

1.Steve Martin created the series with John Hoffman, and originally, the series was meant to feature three older actors. While mapping out the show, they realized they didn’t want the three main characters to be too similar and wanted to bring in someone “unexpected.”

Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin standing together indoors, all looking surprisedSelena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin standing together indoors, all looking surprised

2.Steve initially had no interest in starring in the series, but Martin Short urged him to do it. He later told producers that he might appear in the show if Martin did too.

Martin Short and Steve Martin stand at a service counter, looking outMartin Short and Steve Martin stand at a service counter, looking out

3.Steve was always certain he wanted Selena Gomez to star as Mabel, even though he’d never seen her act on Disney Channel.

Young woman in a fur jacket, plaid pants, yellow knit hat, sunglasses, and red headphones walking on a city sidewalkYoung woman in a fur jacket, plaid pants, yellow knit hat, sunglasses, and red headphones walking on a city sidewalk

4.Steve and Martin were unsure of how Selena would vibe with them before meeting on set. Before filming, they’d only ever chatted on Zoom, but once they got going they realized they’re a perfect trio.

Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short are seated and looking ahead seriously in a scene from "Only Murders in the Building."Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short are seated and looking ahead seriously in a scene from "Only Murders in the Building."

5.Selena is also a major true crime fan in real life. She’d even just gotten home from CrimeCon right before she started on OMITB.

Selena Gomez descends stairs holding a flashlight and a plastic bag in a scene from "Only Murders in the Building."Selena Gomez descends stairs holding a flashlight and a plastic bag in a scene from "Only Murders in the Building."

6.Da’Vine Joy Randolph got hired after Steve Martin saw her in Dolemite Is My Name.

Michael Rapaport and Da'Vine Joy Randolph sitting in an interrogation room, both looking intently at someone off-cameraMichael Rapaport and Da'Vine Joy Randolph sitting in an interrogation room, both looking intently at someone off-camera

7.While the Arconia was made up for the series, several outdoor scenes were filmed at the Belnord, an actual luxury apartment building in NYC.

Steve Martin, Selena Gomez, and Martin Short carry bags while walking quickly in front of an ornate building entranceSteve Martin, Selena Gomez, and Martin Short carry bags while walking quickly in front of an ornate building entrance

The building was built in 1908, has 13 floors, and has archways that lead to its courtyard — similar to the Arconia. It’s located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan at 86th and Broadway.

However, all of the indoor scenes are filmed on a soundstage.

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8.Nathan Lane, who plays Teddy Dimas, had about six weeks to learn American Sign Language (ASL) with his interpreter Doug Ridloff. All of his dialogue with his onscreen son James Caverly, who is deaf in real life, was done through ASL.

Nathan Lane in a black sweater (top). Michael Cyril Creighton in a gray sweater, sitting near a framed photo of two men (bottom)Nathan Lane in a black sweater (top). Michael Cyril Creighton in a gray sweater, sitting near a framed photo of two men (bottom)

9.During Season 2, Howard and Jonathan’s first date ends in disaster when we learn that Jonathan is allergic to Howard’s cat, Sevelyn. But the same thing actually happened to Michael Cyril Creighton in real life, except he was the one allergic to cats.

Nathan Lane sits on a sofa, wearing glasses and a patterned sweater, holding a wine glassNathan Lane sits on a sofa, wearing glasses and a patterned sweater, holding a wine glass

“I don’t think I ever mentioned this to John (Hoffman), but when I met my husband, I was allergic to cats. I didn’t know it, but the first time I went to his apartment, he made me dinner, and I broke out in like the worst hives ever. And it was because he had a cat,” he said.

©Hulu / Courtesy Everett Collection

10.During Season 1, Charles plays the concertina in several scenes along with Jan and her bassoon. In real life, Steve Martin actually knows how to play the concertina, along with several other instruments like the banjo, guitar, mandolin, and upright bass.

Steve Martin smiles while holding a concertina in a cozy indoor settingSteve Martin smiles while holding a concertina in a cozy indoor setting

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11.In 2022, Steve shared that OMITB would probably be his last acting role in his six-decades-long career. “When this television show is done, I’m not going to seek others,” he said. “I’m not going to seek other movies. I don’t want to do cameos. This is, weirdly, it.”

Steve Martin stands on a sidewalk, wearing a fedora, glasses, a dark coat, and scarf. A building and parked cars are in the backgroundSteve Martin stands on a sidewalk, wearing a fedora, glasses, a dark coat, and scarf. A building and parked cars are in the background

Craig Blankenhorn / ©Hulu / Courtesy Everett Collection

12.The music for Oliver’s musical Death Rattle Dazzle was written by Broadway songwriters and composers like Sara Bareilles, Pasek and Paul, Michael R. Jackson, Marc Shaiman, and Scott Wittman.

Meryl Streep holds a swaddled doll in a theatrical setting with wicker cribs and nautical decor, suggesting a dramatic performanceMeryl Streep holds a swaddled doll in a theatrical setting with wicker cribs and nautical decor, suggesting a dramatic performance

13.During the filming of Season 1, Sting performed an impromptu private concert for the cast.

Sting sits on a couch playing a guitar with a neon sign of hearts and XO in the backgroundSting sits on a couch playing a guitar with a neon sign of hearts and XO in the background

14.This year, composing duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul won an Emmy for their work on the song “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?” earning them EGOT status.

Three baby dolls lie in three wicker bassinets, each dressed in gray outfits, resembling props or display items from a movie or TV show setThree baby dolls lie in three wicker bassinets, each dressed in gray outfits, resembling props or display items from a movie or TV show set

They’re best known for their work on The Greatest Showman, La La Land, and Dear Evan Hansen.

©Hulu / Courtesy Everett Collection

15.The character Cinda Canning is based on real-life podcaster Sarah Koenig. Sarah is best known for her critically acclaimed true-crime podcast Serial.

Selena Gomez, an individual in a floral patterned coat, and another person wearing glasses and headphones, stand in a room with flower print wallpaperSelena Gomez, an individual in a floral patterned coat, and another person wearing glasses and headphones, stand in a room with flower print wallpaper

Patrick Harbron / ©Hulu / Courtesy Everett Collection

16.A running joke in the series is that Cinda Canning only hires assistants who look just like her. One of her assistants is played by Steve Martin’s wife, Anne Stringfield, who many people — including Steve and Tina — have pointed out looks like Tina.

Rachel Brosnahan and Steve Martin sit at a formal event, Rachel in a floral dress and black glasses, Steve in a tuxedo and bow tie, both smiling at the cameraRachel Brosnahan and Steve Martin sit at a formal event, Rachel in a floral dress and black glasses, Steve in a tuxedo and bow tie, both smiling at the camera

Rachel Brosnahan and Steve Martin sit at a formal event, Rachel in a floral dress and black glasses, Steve in a tuxedo and bow tie, both smiling at the camera

Patrick Harbron / ©Hulu / Courtesy Everett Collection, Michael Kovac / Getty Images for AFI

17.Andrea Martin plays Charles’ hair and makeup artist, Joy. She is actually Martin Short’s ex-sister-in-law. Andrea’s ex-husband, Bob Dolman, was Martin’s late wife Nancy’s brother.

Andrea Martin and Steve Martin share a conversation outdoors. Andrea wears a scarf and leather jacket, while Steve wears a leather jacket and hatAndrea Martin and Steve Martin share a conversation outdoors. Andrea wears a scarf and leather jacket, while Steve wears a leather jacket and hat

Patrick Harbron / ©Hulu / Courtesy Everett Collection

18.There are also several jokes thrown in that reference Steve Martin, Martin Short, and their decades-long careers. In Season 1, Jan serenades Charles with the song “Under the Bamboo Tree,” and in the 1983 movie The Man With Two Brains, Steve sings that song to a brain.

Laurie Anderson plays an oboe by a window in "Home of the Brave." Steve Martin holds a brain in a jar in "The Man with Two Brains."Laurie Anderson plays an oboe by a window in "Home of the Brave." Steve Martin holds a brain in a jar in "The Man with Two Brains."

Hulu / Warner Bros. / Everett Collection

19.Another joke thrown in is during Season 3, Loretta (Meryl Streep) mentions losing a role in Little Shop of Horrors to Ellen Greene. Steve Martin starred alongside Ellen in the film adaptation of the musical in 1986.

Meryl Streep and Daniel Day-Lewis in separate scenes from different movies, both dressed in aprons, holding kitchen utensils, and appearing to be cookingMeryl Streep and Daniel Day-Lewis in separate scenes from different movies, both dressed in aprons, holding kitchen utensils, and appearing to be cooking

Hulu / Everett Collection / Warner Bros. / Everett Collection

20.In Season 3, Charles and Oliver lie their way into a courtroom, saying they’re “fathers of the bride.” Steve and Martin both starred in the 1991 film Father of the Bride.

Top photo: Martin Short, Selena Gomez, and Steve Martin in formal attire. Bottom photo: Martin Short, Diane Keaton, Steve Martin, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley posedTop photo: Martin Short, Selena Gomez, and Steve Martin in formal attire. Bottom photo: Martin Short, Diane Keaton, Steve Martin, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley posed

Hulu / Buena Vista Pictures / Everett Collection

21.In Season 2, there’s an exterior shot of the building of Alice’s art gallery. That building exterior is the same one used throughout the entirety of New Girl.

Exterior of a multi-story industrial building at dusk with illuminated signs displaying photos of individuals on the ground floorExterior of a multi-story industrial building at dusk with illuminated signs displaying photos of individuals on the ground floor

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22.It took four days to film the moment in the Season 2 finale where Charles, Oliver, and Mabel map out who murdered Bunny. The writers kept the murderer a secret, so most people learned of the big reveal while filming the scene.

Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez in a living room, engaged in a serious discussion scene from a TV showMartin Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez in a living room, engaged in a serious discussion scene from a TV show

23.Finally, Dana Covarrubias, the show’s costume designer, said that Charles, Oliver, and Mabel’s clothing is symbolic of who they are as characters. Charles is “the kind of guy who wants to wear the same thing essentially every day” and is obsessed with repetition. Oliver “knows how to get what he wants and uses his clothing to do it.” And Mabel “uses her clothing as armor” and for hiding secrets.

Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin in a living room scene from a TV show. Selena wears a houndstooth coatSelena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin in a living room scene from a TV show. Selena wears a houndstooth coat

Patrick Harbron / ©Hulu / Courtesy Everett Collection