Only Murders in the Building Season 5: Latest News and Updates

Hulu confirmed the return of its hit comedy-mystery series with a fifth season that arrived on September 9, 2025. The announcement came roughly one year after the Season 4 premiere, continuing the show’s run as the platform’s most-watched comedy series.

The renewal arrived quickly, with Hulu greenlighting Season 5 just one week after Season 4 premiered on August 27, 2024. By early September 2024, showrunner John Hoffman confirmed that writers had already been working for two weeks, signaling an expedited production cycle.

The announcement coincided with notable milestones for the series. With 63 Emmy nominations and a SAG Award win for Ensemble in a Comedy Series in February 2025, the show has firmly established itself within the comedy landscape.

Is Only Murders in the Building Renewed for Season 5?

Yes. Hulu officially renewed the series for Season 5 in September 2024, making the announcement while Season 4 was still airing. The timing proved strategic, with the platform locking in the continuation ahead of the competitive fall television window.

• Hulu’s most-watched comedy series ever, with 63 Emmy nominations across its run
• Season 5 was greenlit one week after the Season 4 premiere on August 27, 2024
• The main trio of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez all returned
• Filming wrapped in June 2025, with production spanning New York and Los Angeles
• Showrunner John Hoffman has expressed openness to continuing beyond Season 5
• A 6-part digital companion series ran alongside the season from September 25 to October 30, 2025

When Does Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Release?

The season launched on September 9, 2025, dropping three episodes simultaneously. The remaining episodes followed on a weekly schedule, with the finale airing around October 30, 2025. This release model matched the approach taken for previous seasons.

Production wrapped in June 2025, giving Hulu roughly three months to complete post-production before the September debut. The shoot spanned locations in New York and Los Angeles, continuing the series’ commitment to filming in the actual New York setting that anchors much of the narrative.

Release Week Highlights

Alongside the main season, a 6-part digital companion series offered behind-the-scenes content starting September 25, 2025. The companion series explored themes including the investigators’ evolution and guest star appearances, running parallel to the weekly episode releases through October 30, 2025.

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Cast and Plot Details

The core trio returned for the fifth season. Steve Martin portrayed Charles-Haden Savage, Martin Short played Oliver Putnam, and Selena Gomez starred as Mabel Mora. Their chemistry, which earned the cast a SAG Award for Ensemble in a Comedy Series in February 2025, remained central to the season’s appeal.

Plot Overview

Season 5 centers on the suspicious death of the Arconia’s doorman, Lester. Charles, Oliver, and Mabel reject the ruling that his death was an accident, launching a new investigation that pulls them into increasingly dangerous territory.

The trio’s probe uncovers layers involving powerful billionaires, old-school mobsters, and mysterious residents of the Arconia. The narrative explores tensions between old and new New York, weaving in mob influences that reach into the building itself. The story blends the series’ signature elements of true-crime podcasting, investigative puzzles, and New York City lore.

Trailer and Visual Presentation

A teaser trailer released ahead of the premiere depicted the trio launching a new podcast season amid Lester’s death. The trailer hinted at mob connections, billionaire suspects, and escalating dangers within the Arconia, setting the tone for a season that expands the scope of the investigation.

Industry Recognition and Performance

The series’ sustained success positioned it as a cornerstone of Hulu’s comedy lineup. With 63 Emmy nominations across its run and a February 2025 SAG Award win for Ensemble in a Comedy Series, the show has achieved recognition that few streaming comedies can claim.

Hulu has described the series as its most-watched comedy ever, a distinction that influenced the decision to move quickly on the Season 5 renewal. Showrunner John Hoffman noted in interviews that the cast’s enthusiasm and the series’ unexpected longevity have kept the creative momentum alive.

Production Timeline

Production for Season 5 began in March 2025 and concluded in June 2025, with filming taking place across New York and Los Angeles. The timeline allowed for a standard post-production window before the September 9, 2025 premiere.

1. August 27, 2024: Season 4 premieres on Hulu
2. September 2024: Hulu announces Season 5 renewal (one week after S4 premiere)
3. Early September 2024: Showrunner confirms writers’ room active
4. February 2025: Cast wins SAG Award for Ensemble in a Comedy Series
5. March 2025: Production begins in New York and Los Angeles
6. June 2025: Filming wraps
7. September 9, 2025: Season 5 premieres with three episodes
8. September 25, 2025: Digital companion series begins
9. October 30, 2025: Season 5 finale and companion series conclusion

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Context and Industry Standing

Only Murders in the Building has reshaped how streaming platforms approach comedy-mystery hybrids. Created by Steve Martin and Dan Fogelman, the series debuted in August 2021 and has maintained an annual release schedule, with each season premiering in late summer or early fall.

The series’ consistent performance metrics—63 Emmy nominations, a 2025 SAG Award, and recognition as Hulu’s most-watched comedy—demonstrate its unusual staying power. Most streaming originals see viewership decline by the third or fourth season, but Only Murders has sustained audience interest through a combination of star power, procedural mystery structures, and New York-centric storytelling.

The decision to announce Season 5 renewal within days of the Season 4 premiere reflected Hulu’s confidence in the property. Industry analysts noted the move as a signal that the platform prioritized stability for its anchor comedy titles over waiting for full season viewership data.

Sources and Industry Coverage

The cast, including Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, won a SAG Award for Ensemble in a Comedy Series in February 2025. Showrunner John Hoffman has expressed interest in continuing beyond Season 5 for as long as possible.

— Elle, Disney+, Economic Times reporting on Hulu announcement and awards recognition

Primary coverage of the Season 5 announcement appeared across entertainment news outlets, with reporting from Deadline and Variety cited in Emmy nomination and awards context. Hulu’s official press channels confirmed renewal details, premiere date, and plot synopsis directly. The Wrap was credited with the initial scoop regarding the early September 2024 renewal.

Key Takeaways

Hulu officially confirmed Only Murders in the Building Season 5 in September 2024, with the season premiering on September 9, 2025. All 10 episodes are now streaming, with the finale having aired around October 30, 2025. The core cast of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez returned, while the plot centers on investigating the suspicious death of the Arconia’s doorman, Lester. The season explores billionaire suspects, mob influences, and the tensions between old and new New York. For related coverage, see our Bafta TV Awards 2025 – Date Location Hosts and How to Watch guide.