The sleuthing podcasters head to Hollywood in season 4 with a new murder to solve

The Arconia’s crime-solving trio have a hit on their hands this season — in more ways than one. Season four of the Emmy-winning comedy Only Murders in the Building reunites Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez, all returning as the true crime podcast hosts whose sleuthing skills have landed them Hollywood meetings with executives looking to secure their life rights.

Oliver Putnam (Short), Charles-Haden Savage (Martin) and Mabel Mora (Gomez), hosts of the titular Only Murders in the Building podcast, have hit the big time this season; the trio is getting flown out to Los Angeles to sit across the negotiating table from bigwigs looking to put their story up on the big screen. However, their latest mystery sends them back home to New York City, where they must investigate the shooting of Charles’ friend and stunt double, Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch).

Was the hit truly meant for Sazz or for Charles? With another whodunit about to unravel more secrets from within the historic walls of the Arconia apartment complex, the three are uniquely qualified to get to the bottom of it. “As Charles, Oliver and Mabel race back to New York, they embark on an even more epic journey — traversing their building’s courtyard to delve into the twisted lives of Arconia’s West Tower residents,” notes the Disney+ synopsis for the new season.

If you need a refresher on what’s happened so far in the first three seasons of the true crime comedy, here is a quick rundown. Unlikely friends Charles, Oliver and Mabel bond over their interest in murder mysteries when someone is killed in their apartment complex. They decide to begin a podcast detailing their investigation, which quickly gains a following. Each lonely in their own way before their chance meeting during a building evacuation, once the trio of Arconia residents solve their first case, it sets their lives on a new track, together.

First, the podcasters solve the murder of fellow resident Tim Kono (Julian Cihi), a childhood friend of Mabel’s, after they realize they are the only ones who don’t believe he died by suicide. The three friends are then early suspects in the murder of Arconia board president Bunny Folger (Jayne Houdyshell) before they clear themselves and track down the real killer.

The success of the podcast leads to renewed interest in both Charles’ and Oliver’s careers — Charles joins a reboot of the drama series in which he starred during the 1990s, and Oliver finally stages a Broadway show again. The latter is what led to their next investigation — the mysterious death, resurrection and murder of actor Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd). Now, they must figure out who shot Sazz before anyone else at the Arconia is killed.

Lynch spoke to Deadline about realizing that her character was going to meet her end, saying, “I was actually happy because I knew that it meant that my storyline would dominate the next season.” About working on the upcoming season, Lynch added, “One of the joys of doing this past season has been working with Steve and developing this really sweet relationship. You could always tell we have a nice relationship, but it goes pretty deep and it’s pretty delicious.”

Only Murders is no stranger to A-list guest stars — Meryl Streep earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for her appearance as Loretta Durkin last season — and this season does not disappoint in that regard.

Zach Galifianakis (Baskets), Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek) and Eva Longoria (Land of Women) join this season, portraying themselves as the cast of the Only Murders podcast film. Meanwhile, returning to the cast this season are Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers) as Det. Donna Williams and Michael Cyril Creighton (American Fiction) as Arconia resident Howard Morris, alongside Streep and Lynch.

Also joining the cast are Molly Shannon (I Love That For You), Kumail Nanjiani (Welcome to Chippendales), Melissa McCarthy (God’s Favorite Idiot), Richard Kind (The Other Two), Desmin Borges (You’re the Worst), Siena Werber (The Sympathizer), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Accused), Catherine Cohen (Girls5eva); Jin Ha (Pachinko), Jennifer Castillo (Dante’s Hotel) and newcomer Lilian Rebelo.

“I think this is our most exciting season yet,” Gomez gushed in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “That’s what I would definitely say with confidence, because it was far too fun. How it came together was so magical. Everyone had a blast. And people are in for a ride, you know. Taking us to L.A. and then doing all the other stuff is exciting. It’s going to be, to date, probably my favourite season.”

Only Murders in the Building begins streaming Tuesday, August 27 on Disney+