Charles, Oliver, and Mabel return for the third season of the hit show "Only Murders in the Building." Paul Rudd joins the cast as Ben Glenroy, a television star making his Broadway debut. He survives a murder attempt but dies on the Arconia's elevator. The trio is now on a new quest to find his killer and save Oliver's return to Broadway. Meryl Streep, an Oscar winner and Hollywood legend, plays a woman who struggled to make it as an actress before landing a role in Oliver's play. The first episode hints at a romantic entanglement between Oliver and Streep's character, Loretta Dunkin. Streep is likely to nail the role, but the animosity between Rudd's and Streep's characters may not be the killer. The third season of the popular series, Oliver and the Men, has seen the return of beloved characters such as Howard, Uma, and Oliver's son Will. Howard, a cat-loving resident, serves as Oliver's assistant for his Broadway play. Uma, a character who initially avoided a murder in the building, is also back. Will, Oliver's son, takes care of his father when Oliver needs him most. The first episode of season three was a great start, but it didn't hit the same level as the first episodes of seasons one and two. The series has high hopes for this season, but it's essential to temper expectations to view it in the proper light. Meryl Streep's Only Murders in the Building premiere features her as a struggling, failed actress, Loretta Durkin. The show broadens its world to the Broadway stage, where Oliver (Martin Short) is directing a new play. Streep's character, Loretta, is introduced through a voice-over from Charles (Steve Martin), who reveals her backstory. Loretta fell in love with theater as a child and struggles as a struggling actress. She auditions for Oliver's play, entrancing him with her performance and earning the role. Charles's voice-over questions how far she would go to hang on to her dream moment in the spotlight. OMITB has the task of staying fresh by delivering a new murder mystery each season without becoming cyclical or repetitive. This season takes a step out of the building and takes place one year after the events of season two, keeping the series fresh and showing the characters in a new light. After successfully solving two murders and clearing their names, the characters finally enjoy their moment in the spotlight. Oliver is directing a Broadway play, and both are reveling in their newfound career success. Mabel, meanwhile, is navigating the new dynamic and struggling with feeling left behind, especially without the shared outlet of their true-crime podcast. Oliver joins Loretta at a party where she sings Richard Rodgers's "The Sweetest Sounds," sparking her love for theater. Ben's death may have hindered Oliver's career, but Loretta believes the end of the show allows them to pursue a nonprofessional, non-platonic relationship. However, Ben returns from the dead, reevaluating his behavior towards the cast and crew. His apologies reveal his relationship dynamics with potential suspects and give Rudd a chance to shine. He calls Loretta a snake and dramatically hisses at her. Ben's grand return is cut short when he takes a suspicious phone call and heads to his apartment. With Ben back, the show is back, but Loretta is unhappy, stating that he is still a Mean Loretta's line "Ben may be back, but it doesn't change the fact that he's a jerk positions her in prime-suspect territory.
