I don’t know about you, but I always enjoy a good murder mystery show – even better if comedy is added to the mix! The first season of Only Murders in the Building (OMITB), premiering in 2021, provided viewers with the introduction to our trio of building residents (Steve Martin’s Charles, Martin Short’s Oliver, and Selena Gomez’s Mabel) of the Arconia, owned and managed by building manager Bunny (more on her in a minute). The first season dealt with the gruesome murder of Tim Kono, one of the building’s residents, while delving into Charles, Oliver’s, and Mabel’s own experiences and interactions with Kono which eventually led the three to find Tim’s true killer (apparently something the NYPD had trouble doing at the time due to lack of evidence – things that make you go hmmm!). Charles, Oliver, and Mabel first began bonding over their love of true crime podcasts during a power outage at the Arconia – ironically, this power outage was when Kono’s killer chose to strike and kicked off the friendship that us viewers have come to know and love. 

While we watched the trio follow clues to solve Kono’s murder in the first season, the 2nd season premiered on June 28, 2022, and released one episode per week through the season finale on August 23, 2022. The second season focuses on our three friends investigating Bunny’s killer and making new acquaintances along the way. Mabel interacts with Theo, a deaf character from season one, and she develops a relationship with an artist named Alice at a gallery in NYC. The audience gets the chance to see Mabel grow as a character as she discovers her place in the world with Charles and Oliver by her side. Oliver also sees his own struggles emerge as the paternity of his son, Will, is brought into question. We see how much Oliver truly cares for his son no matter the outcome of the paternity test. Charles struggles to create a stronger bond with his stepdaughter, Lucy, in addition to removing himself from his hostile relationship with Jan, another Arconia resident.  If you are a fan from season one, I have no doubt you’re nodding your head in agreement right now when I say Charles definitely needed out of that relationship!

These characters develop all the while they are trying to prove their innocence.  Mabel looks guilty at first as Bunny is found murdered in her apartment with Mabel leaning over the body but – SPOILER ALERT – Bunny was planted there. It just so happened the killer was good at covering up his/her crime (no spoilers here!). One especially unique thing about this season was its take on police versus citizen work in the real world. It was interesting to watch Mabel, Charles, and Oliver argue that they were all innocent, especially when no one believed them. 

Let’s get back to the comedy aspect for a moment, shall we? Yes, this series revolves around murder, but the way the characters interact with one another, upstage each other at every possible moment (we’re looking at you, Oliver!), and truly joke with one another about anything and everything makes this show so relatable and the characters so likable.

If you haven’t watched OMITB yet, what are you waiting for?! Boot up Hulu and get to binging!