Only Murders In The Building - Season 1 !full! May 2026

The first season of Only Murders in the Building is more than a simple whodunit; it is a sophisticated exploration of urban isolation, the cultural obsession with true crime, and the restorative power of intergenerational friendship. Set against the backdrop of the Arconia, a fictionalized version of Manhattan’s iconic

apartment building, the series uses a murder investigation as a catalyst to bridge the emotional gaps between three profoundly lonely residents. The Architecture of Loneliness

The Arconia serves as a microcosm of New York City itself—a place where people live in close physical proximity yet remain entirely estranged. Each protagonist begins the season "down-on-their-luck" and emotionally siloed: Charles-Haden Savage

(Steve Martin) is a semi-retired actor living in the shadow of his former fame as "Brazzos," haunted by a painful breakup that left him socially paralyzed. Oliver Putnam

(Martin Short) is a flamboyant but failed Broadway director facing imminent eviction and a fractured relationship with his son. Mabel Mora

(Selena Gomez) is a young, enigmatic artist living in her aunt's unfinished apartment, burdened by a traumatic past connected to the very building they inhabit.

Only Murders in the Building - Season 1: A New Era of Cozy Crime

Only Murders in the Building - Season 1 revitalized the whodunnit genre, blending the charm of a classic New York "cozy mystery" with the modern cultural obsession of true crime podcasts. Set within the sprawling, historic halls of the Arconia apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the debut season follows three unlikely neighbors who transform from strangers into a sleuthing trio. The Core Trio: An Iconic Dynamic

The heart of the show lies in the chemistry between its three leads, who represent a fascinating clash of generations and personalities:

Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin): A semi-retired, socially awkward actor best known for his 1990s detective show, Brazzos.

Oliver Putnam (Martin Short): A flamboyant, eccentric Broadway director facing financial ruin and an endless supply of theatrical anecdotes.

Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez): A dry, mysterious young woman renovating her aunt’s apartment with a past she isn't quite ready to share. The Plot: The Death of Tim Kono

The story kicks off when a fire alarm forces the Arconia's residents into a nearby diner. There, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel discover their mutual love for the (fictional) true crime podcast All Is Not OK in Oklahoma. Upon returning to the building, they find a fellow resident, Tim Kono, has died in an apparent suicide.

Unconvinced by the police's findings, the trio decides to investigate the death themselves, documenting their progress in their own podcast titled "Only Murders in the Building". As they peel back the layers of Tim Kono’s life, they uncover a web of Arconia secrets, including a black-market jewelry ring and the truth behind a tragic death from Mabel's past. Why Season 1 Resonated

Season 1 was a critical and commercial darling, currently holding a high rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Several key factors contributed to its success:

Visual Aesthetic: The Arconia (filmed at the real-life Belnord) serves as a character itself, with rich, colorful production design that makes the "cozy crime" vibe feel both high-end and lived-in.

Meta-Commentary: By framing the story through the lens of podcasting, the show satirizes our modern fascination with tragedy as entertainment.

Genre-Bending: It expertly pivots between laugh-out-loud physical comedy and genuine emotional stakes, particularly regarding the loneliness of its central characters. How to Watch Only Murders in the Building - Season 1

The first season remains a quintessential binge-watch for mystery lovers. You can stream the complete first season on Disney+ or Hulu.

Since its debut, the series has become a major franchise, with subsequent seasons expanding the mystery and guest-starring legends like Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd.

In the velvet-draped, cream-colored confines of the Upper West Side’s fictional Arconia, three lonely strangers found an unlikely cure for isolation: a shared obsession with true crime podcasts. Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), a once-famous TV detective now reduced to cooking omelets alone; Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), a bombastic, cash-strapped Broadway director still clinging to past glories; and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez), a sharp, mysterious young artist renovating her aunt’s apartment—they had nothing in common but the building’s elevator and a burning need for connection.

That changed on the night a fire alarm blared, herding the Arconia’s eccentric residents into the courtyard. There, they discovered a fellow tenant, the reclusive and shady Tim Kono, dead from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. The police and media quickly ruled it a suicide. But the trio, ears perked by years of listening to podcasts like All Is Not OK in Oklahoma, noticed the tell-tale flaw: Tim Kono was found clutching a garbage bag of Amber Kono, his favorite spicy snack, despite the police report claiming he shot himself with his right hand—when in fact, Tim was left-handed.

Thus, their own podcast, Only Murders in the Building, was born. Episode by episode, the unlikely trio—Charles the neurotic, Oliver the bombastic, and Mabel the guarded—began interviewing the building’s living gallery of suspects. There was Howard, the jumpy cat lover whose feline, Evelyn, died the same night as Tim. There was Sting, playing an exaggerated version of himself, who had a bitter feud with the victim. There was Teddy Dimas (Nathan Lane), the gruff deli king, and his silent son Theo (James Caverly), who communicated in American Sign Language. And then, the pattern emerged: Tim Kono had been hunting a massive jewelry theft ring tied to a black-market grave-robbing operation, all connected to a six-figure emerald ring.

As their online following grew—led by the adoring (and slightly suspicious) super-fan "Miss" Cinda Canning (Tina Fey)—so did the danger. Charles was poisoned by a toxic acid meant for them. Oliver’s beloved son was threatened. And Mabel’s past, darkly entangled with Tim Kono’s, bubbled to the surface: she and Tim had been childhood friends, part of a secret group of "Hardy Boys" who investigated the Arconia. They had stumbled upon a cold case—the disappearance of a young woman named Zoe—years ago. Tim had been their friend, not their enemy.

The season’s masterful twist arrived in the penultimate episode, delivered almost entirely in silence. Through Theo Dimas’s perspective (a brilliant silent episode titled "The Boy from 6B"), we learned the truth: Zoe’s death had been an accident. She had been fighting with Theo, slipped, and fell from the Arconia’s roof. But in a panic, Theo—whose father was the real jewelry thief—covered it up, and Tim Kono had been silently investigating ever since, hoping to clear Theo’s name and find justice for Zoe. The "murder" of Tim Kono wasn’t a suicide, nor was it a random act. It was a cover-up of a cover-up.

The killer? Not Theo, but his father, Teddy Dimas. Learning that Tim was about to expose the jewelry ring, Teddy strangled Tim and staged the gunshot to look like a suicide. In a final, breathless episode set in the Arconia’s secret, cavernous elevator shaft, the trio cornered the killer. A wild chase ensued, complete with a falling body (a beloved parrot named Mrs. Gambolini), a very angry Teddy, and the arrival of the NYPD.

They solved it. Tim Kono’s name was cleared. The podcast was a smash hit. The three, once isolated souls, now shared a bond stronger than family. They toasted with a bottle of Gut Milk—a repulsive, cheap wine that had become their inside joke. But as the credits rolled, a final, chilling image cut to Mabel’s own apartment. Hidden in the wall, behind her tapestry, lay a body: her Aunt’s friend, the building’s long-missing resident, wrapped in plastic. The case was closed, but one question remained—one that only the trio could answer next season: Who, in the Arconia, did Mabel think she was protecting? The building, it seemed, had more secrets than walls.

The Arconia, an upscale Upper West Side apartment building, usually thrives on whispered gossip and stern building board rules. But in Season 1 of Only Murders in the Building

, it becomes the setting for a thrilling, comedic mystery when a fellow resident, Tim Kono (Julian Cihi), dies under suspicious circumstances.

The police rule Tim’s death a suicide, but three strangers—who only ever interact in the elevator—suspect foul play. Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin): A washed-up 90s TV detective living in solitude. Oliver Putnam (Martin Short): A struggling Broadway director desperate for a comeback. Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez): A young, mysterious artist renovating her aunt's apartment.

Bonded by their obsession with a popular true-crime podcast, "Everything is Not OK in Oklahoma," they decide to start their own podcast to uncover the truth, aptly titled Only Murders in the Building The Investigation and the Twist

As the trio probes deeper, they uncover that Tim Kono was not well-liked, giving them a long list of suspects, including the famous musician Sting, who had a heated encounter with Tim regarding a business deal. The mystery grows complex as they discover:

Mabel knew Tim Kono when they were teenagers; they were part of a group called "The Hardy Boys".

Mabel’s old friend, Oscar, was recently released from prison after serving time for a death that occurred ten years prior, a case Tim Kono was involved in.

The building board president, Bunny (Jayne Houdyshell), was actively trying to evict them. The first season of Only Murders in the

Amidst the investigation, Charles starts a romance with a soft-spoken bassoonist named Jan (Amy Ryan). The Killer Among Them

The story reaches its climax when the trio discovers a bassoon cleaner among Tim Kono’s belongings, leading them to realize the killer is Jan. Jan, feeling jealous and scorned after Tim broke off their secret affair, poisoned him with a toxic cocktail and later shot him to make it look like suicide.

The Arconia’s Unlikely Trio: A Feature on Only Murders in the Building Season 1

When a gunshot echoes through the opulent halls of the Arconia, an Upper West Side landmark, it doesn’t just signal a tragedy—it sparks an unlikely partnership that became a cultural phenomenon. Released in late 2021, the first season of Only Murders in the Building on Hulu successfully blended the cozy charm of a classic "whodunnit" with a sharp, modern satire of the true crime podcasting craze. The Core Trio: An Intergenerational Dynamic

The heart of the show lies in its central trio—three strangers who share nothing but a floor in their apartment building and an obsession with the true-crime podcast All Is Not OK in Oklahoma.

Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin): A semi-retired actor known for his 90s police procedural Brazzos. Charles is a man of routine and profound loneliness, living in the shadow of his former fame.

Oliver Putnam (Martin Short): A flamboyant, struggling Broadway director with a string of expensive flops and a desperate need for a "hit." His theatrical energy provides the driving force behind their investigative podcast.

Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez): A young artist whose cool, detached exterior masks deep-seated trauma. Unlike the others, she has a personal, hidden connection to the victim, Tim Kono. The Mystery of Tim Kono

The season centers on the death of Tim Kono, a resident of the Arconia whose death is initially ruled a suicide. Refusing to accept the official story, the trio begins their own investigation, recording their progress for a podcast they title Only Murders in the Building.

The investigation peels back the layers of the Arconia’s residents, revealing a building filled with secrets, from Teddy Dimas (Nathan Lane)—the podcast’s sponsor who hides a grave-robbing empire—to the eccentric Howard Morris, who keeps his dead cat in a freezer. Key Locations & Highlights

The Arconia: Located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, this upscale apartment building serves as more than just a setting; it is a character itself. Exterior shots were filmed at the historic Belnord.

"The Boy from 6B": This standout seventh episode is told almost entirely without spoken dialogue, focusing on the perspective of Theo Dimas, Teddy’s deaf son. It received widespread acclaim for its unique storytelling and authentic representation.

The Twist Ending: In a shocking finale, it is revealed that Charles's new love interest, Jan Bellows (Amy Ryan), is the killer. She poisoned Tim Kono after a messy breakup and attempted to gas the entire building before being apprehended by the trio. Critical Acclaim and Legacy

The first season of Only Murders in the Building (2021) is a 10-episode whodunit that blends old-school detective storytelling with sharp comedic wit. Set in the prestigious Arconia apartment building on Manhattan's Upper West Side, it follows three strangers who bond over their obsession with true crime podcasts only to find themselves investigating a real murder within their own walls. The Central Mystery When resident

is found dead in his apartment, the police quickly rule it a suicide. However, the trio suspects foul play and launches their own podcast, Only Murders in the Building , to document their investigation. The Suspects

: Their search leads them through a series of colorful neighbors, including an obsessive cat lover, a world-famous musician (Sting), and the building’s stern board president, Bunny Folger.

: The investigation eventually uncovers a black-market jewelry ring involving fellow resident Teddy Dimas. The Killer In the velvet-draped, cream-colored confines of the Upper

: In a final shock, it is revealed that Charles's new girlfriend, Jan Bellows

(a professional bassoonist), poisoned Tim Kono after a secret romantic falling out. Lead Characters & Cast

The series is anchored by the unlikely chemistry of its three leads:

The first season of Only Murders in the Building is a charming, meticulously crafted "cozy mystery" that successfully revitalized the TV comedy-mystery genre upon its 2021 release. It centers on three residents of the Arconia—an upscale New York apartment building—who bond over their shared obsession with true-crime podcasts and decide to start their own when a neighbor is found dead. The "Special Sauce": Why It Works Only Murders in the Building: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes

Season Report: Only Murders in the Building (Season 1) Only Murders in the Building premiered on August 31, 2021, as a Hulu original. Created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, the season blends comedy, mystery, and drama across 10 episodes. It became the most-watched comedy premiere in Hulu’s history. 1. Plot Overview

The story centers on three strangers living in the Arconia, an upscale Upper West Side apartment building, who share an obsession with true crime podcasts. When a neighbor, Tim Kono, is found dead, the trio suspects foul play and starts their own podcast to document their investigation.

The Victim: Tim Kono, an unpopular resident whose death was initially ruled a suicide.

Key Conflict: As they dig deeper, the trio discovers that many neighbors—and they themselves—are hiding secrets.

The Finale: The season concludes with the resolution of Tim Kono's murder, only for a new body to be discovered, leading to the trio’s arrest and setting up the second season. 2. Main Cast and Characters

The series is anchored by the "central trio," whose intergenerational chemistry received significant praise.

Tone & Style

A witty, character-driven mystery blending dark humor with genuine emotional beats. The series balances clever procedural puzzle-solving with heartfelt character arcs, using meta-commentary on true-crime culture and podcasting.

The Sting of the Reveal (Spoilers Ahead)

For a mystery to work, the solution must be both surprising and inevitable. Season 1 delivers. After a season of chasing glamorous suspects (a bassoonist, a cat, a tie-dye mogul), the killer turns out to be the quiet, unassuming Jan (a brilliant Amy Ryan)—Oliver’s new love interest and a first-chair bassoonist with a pathological need for attention.

The clue was hiding in plain sight: the bassoon cleaner found in Tim Kono’s apartment, the identical wounds on her ex-lovers, and the fact that she was “the one who answered the window.” Jan’s motive—jealousy over Tim’s secret affection for a former lover—is tragically mundane, a sharp contrast to the high-drama suspects. It’s a reminder that in life, as in the Arconia, the most dangerous people are often the ones who seem the most harmless.

The finale’s final twist—that a tie-dye-clad figure (later revealed to be the building’s board president, Bunny) is found stabbed to death in Mabel’s apartment, with Mabel holding the knife—is a masterstroke. It doesn’t just end the season; it subverts it, transforming our heroes into prime suspects for Season 2.

The Crime: Who is Tim Kono and Why Should We Care?

Every murder mystery needs a victim, but Season 1 smartly delays the emotional payoff. Tim Kono (Julian Cihi) is introduced as the grumpy neighbor who lives in Mabel’s apartment (until he is found dead, gunshot wound to the head, ruled a suicide by the inept building manager).

As the trio launches their podcast (also titled Only Murders in the Building), the layers peel back. Tim wasn’t just a jerk; he was a man obsessed with solving the unsolved disappearance of his childhood friend, Zoe. The plot weaves through a labyrinth of jewelry heists, toxic relationships, and the gentrification of New York.

The show’s genius is how it uses specific, niche evidence to drive the plot:

Unlike many true crime documentaries that end with a whimper, the Season 1 finale delivers a twist that genuinely shocked audiences. (Spoiler warning for the uninitiated: It was Jan.)