The final episode of “Only Murders in the Building” season two may have wrapped up who killed Bunny, but it left us with a brand-new mystery for the show’s third instalment.
At the end of the episode, Oliver (Martin Short) is asked to direct a new musical on Broadway. He says yes, and we jump a year forward to the opening night of said musical, the name of which we do not learn. Oliver is trying to appease his star, Ben Glenroy, played by none other than Paul Rudd! Ben is pissed at someone he refers to as a “f*ckbag,” and he asks Oliver if the person has apologized yet. Oliver doesn’t take sides but tells him to use his anger in his performance.
We soon realise who Ben was talking about: his costar, Charles (Steve Martin). The two, both wearing matching detective costumes, get into a fight on the stage. Charles warns Ben: “Be smart. Stay away from her,” and then ominously says, “I know what you did.”
In the audience, Oliver, Mabel (Selena Gomez), Lucy (Zoe Colletti), and Joy (Andrea Martin) are all excited for the show to begin and glad to have made it a year with no drama. But moments after the curtain rises, Ben drops dead to the seeming shock of everyone involved.
So who killed Ben Glenroy? We don’t have a ton to go on just yet, but we can make a preliminary suspect list to mull over before season three hits Disney+. Read on for everyone we think just might be guilty.
Hulu / Craig Blankenhorn
Charles
Though we know little about Ben, it is clear that he and Charles had major beef. He calls Charles a “f*ckbag” in conversation with Oliver, and they get into a fight moments before the curtain rises. Charles seems shocked when Ben drops dead – but he is an actor.
Our verdict: Probably not guilty
Hulu / Craig Blankenhorn
Oliver
Oliver directs Charles and Ben in the play, and from the brief snippets of conversation we get, it seems he took Charles’s side in their fight. But killing his leading man on opening night seems extreme – though it wouldn’t be the first time someone died on stage thanks to Oliver. (Remember “Splash!” from season one?)
Our verdict: Probably not guilty
Hulu / Craig Blankenhorn
Mabel
Charles and Ben’s fight has something to do with a woman, and Charles warns Ben: “Stay away from her.” Did he mean Mabel? But it seems unlikely Mabel would put her friends’ show at risk.
Our verdict: Probably not guilty
Hulu / Patrick Harbron
Joy
Joy (Andrea Martin) is briefly introduced in season two as a stylist on the set of Charles’s “Brazzos” revival. The two finally agree to go on a date at the end of the last episode, and from the flash forward, it’s clear they’re in a committed relationship. Joy is probably the biggest wildcard here because viewers know basically nothing about her. Anything is possible.
Our verdict: Maybe guilty
Hulu / Craig Blankenhorn
Will
Will (Ryan Broussard) started to get involved in the theater in season two. Yes, it’s a big jump from a children’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” to Broadway, but since his dad is directing the show, there could be nepotism at play. Could he have become embroiled in a backstage brouhaha that made him go to extremes?
Our verdict: Maybe guilty
Hulu / Patrick Harbron
Howard and Jonathan
Howard (Michael Cyril Creighton) starts dating Jonathan (Jason Veasey) midway through season two. Jonathan doesn’t have anything to do with Bunny’s death, but he could be very significant in season three since the only thing we know about him is that he’s a Broadway actor. He plays a hyena in “The Lion King,” but could he have moved over to Oliver’s show? And Howard dreams of starring in a musical himself; could he have gotten wrapped up in the drama?
Our verdict: Maybe guilty, definitely involved
Hulu / Craig Blankenhorn
Zazz
Zazz (Jane Lynch) was not a major force in season two, but viewers will remember that she’s Charles’s stand-in and body double. It would make sense for her to be involved in the Broadway show in some way, and she’d definitely take Charles’s side in an argument.
Our verdict: Maybe guilty
Hulu / Craig Blankenhorn
Jan
Jan (Amy Ryan) is also not a major player in season two, but she does reiterate her obsession with Charles when he visits her in prison. Could she be involved in the demise of his biggest rival?
Our verdict: Maybe guilty
Hulu / Craig Blankenhorn
Lucy
OK, a teenager probably didn’t do it, but Lucy (Zoe Colletti) and Charles have a very close relationship. Could she be the mysterious “her” Charles and Ben were fighting over?
Our verdict: Maybe guilty
