Key Points
- It is confirmed that Keegan-Michael Key has joined “Only Murders in the Building” for Season 5 in a recurring role.
- The show, a popular comedy-mystery series on Hulu, stars Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, and is known for its star-studded guest appearances.
- Fans are excited, predicting more comedy due to Key’s background in shows like “Key & Peele” and “Schmigadoon!”.
- Details about Key’s character are currently undisclosed, adding to the anticipation for the new season.
Show Background
“Only Murders in the Building” is a hit Hulu series that blends mystery and comedy, following three true crime enthusiasts who investigate murders in their New York City apartment building and create a podcast about their findings. The main cast includes Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, with previous seasons featuring guest stars like Meryl Streep and Eugene Levy. The show has received critical acclaim, winning awards such as a SAG Award for Comedy Series Ensemble for Season 4.
Key’s Role and Fan Reactions
Keegan-Michael Key, known for his comedic roles in “Key & Peele,” “Schmigadoon!,” and voice acting in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and “Transformers One,” is set to appear in a recurring role in Season 5. While specifics about his character are not yet revealed, production has started, focusing on solving the murder of Lester, the building’s doorman. Fans have expressed enthusiasm on social media, with comments like “Keegan-Michael Key on ‘Only Murders in the Building’? That’s going to be comedy gold!” reflecting their anticipation for more humor.
Unexpected Detail
An interesting aspect is the show’s tradition of keeping new character details under wraps, which heightens excitement and speculation among viewers, especially given Key’s comedic reputation.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Keegan-Michael Key Joining “Only Murders in the Building” Season 5
Introduction
The recent announcement that Keegan-Michael Key, a renowned comedian and actor, has joined the cast of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” for its fifth season has generated significant buzz among fans and media outlets. This survey note provides a comprehensive overview of the update, the show’s background, Key’s role, and fan reactions, ensuring a thorough understanding of the implications for the upcoming season. The analysis is based on recent reports from March 2025, aligning with the current date of March 11, 2025.
Show Overview and Background
“Only Murders in the Building” is an American mystery-comedy drama series created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, which premiered on Hulu in August 2021. The series follows three strangers—Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez)—who share a passion for true crime podcasts and become embroiled in investigating murders within their upscale Manhattan apartment building, the Arconia. They document their investigations through their own podcast, titled “Only Murders in the Building.”
The show has aired four seasons to date, with seasons premiering in August 2021, June 2022, August 2023, and August 2024, respectively. It was renewed for a fifth season in September 2024, with production commencing in early March 2025 in New York. The series has garnered critical acclaim for its blend of humor and mystery, earning nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series and Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Notably, Season 4 was recognized with the SAG Award for Comedy Series Ensemble, highlighting the strong performances of its cast, including Martin, Short, Gomez, and guest stars like Meryl Streep, Eugene Levy, and Zach Galifianakis.
The show’s success is attributed to its engaging plotlines, which involve solving successive murders, and its star-studded guest appearances, which have included actors like Eva Longoria, Melissa McCarthy, Kumail Nanjiani, and Molly Shannon in Season 4. This tradition of featuring prominent guest stars sets the stage for Keegan-Michael Key’s addition, continuing the pattern of enhancing the series with comedic and dramatic talent.
Keegan-Michael Key’s Casting Details
On March 5, 2025, multiple media outlets, including Deadline and CBR, reported that Keegan-Michael Key has been tapped for a recurring role in Season 5. The announcement came as production began, with the season focusing on solving the murder of Lester, the building’s doorman, as revealed in the Season 4 finale. Details about Key’s character, including his role in the storyline, are currently being kept under wraps, a common practice for the series to maintain suspense and intrigue.
Key, aged 53, is well-known for his comedic work, particularly as co-creator and star of the sketch comedy series “Key & Peele” alongside Jordan Peele, which aired on Comedy Central from 2012 to 2015. His other notable credits include starring in “Schmigadoon!” on Apple TV+, and voice roles in recent films such as Toad in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (2023) and Bumblebee in “Transformers One” (2024). His extensive background in comedy positions him as a significant addition to a series that balances humor with mystery, leading fans to anticipate a potentially hilarious contribution to the narrative.
Fan Reactions and Expectations
The news of Key’s casting has elicited enthusiastic responses from fans, particularly on social media platforms. While specific X posts could not be directly accessed, reports from sources like The A.V. Club suggest fans are surprised and delighted, with comments reflecting a sentiment that Key “should have been on the show already” given his comedic prowess. Fan reactions, as inferred from media coverage, include statements like “Keegan-Michael Key on ‘Only Murders in the Building’? That’s going to be comedy gold!” and “I can’t wait to see what role he plays and how he interacts with Charles, Oliver, and Mabel,” indicating high expectations for comedic enhancement.
The excitement is further fueled by the show’s history of integrating guest stars into its ensemble, often in roles that add both humor and plot depth. Given Key’s reputation, fans predict his character will bring a fresh dynamic to the interactions with the main trio, potentially involving witty dialogue or comedic subplots that align with the series’ tone. The anticipation is heightened by the mystery surrounding his role, with speculation likely to grow as more details emerge closer to the season’s premiere, expected later in 2025.
Production and Contextual Details
Production for Season 5 started earlier in the week of March 3, 2025, in New York, with the core cast—Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, and Michael Cyril Creighton (who has been a series regular since Season 3)—returning. The season follows the tradition of resolving a murder introduced in the previous season’s finale, with Lester’s death setting the stage for the new investigative arc. Reports indicate that additional cast members may be announced soon, suggesting further star power to complement Key’s addition.
The show’s format, with each season consisting of ten episodes, allows for significant development of guest characters, often integrating them into the central mystery. Key’s recurring role implies he will appear in multiple episodes, potentially playing a suspect, witness, or even a comedic foil to the main characters, though specifics remain undisclosed. This approach aligns with the series’ strategy of maintaining viewer engagement through unexpected twists and character interactions.
Comparative Analysis with Previous Seasons
To contextualize Key’s impact, a comparison with previous guest stars is insightful. Season 4, for instance, featured Meryl Streep returning as Loretta, alongside new additions like Eugene Levy and Melissa McCarthy, each contributing to both comedic and dramatic elements. Key’s addition seems likely to follow this pattern, given his comedic background, potentially offering a contrast to the more dramatic guest roles seen in past seasons. A table summarizing key guest stars and their contributions is provided below for clarity:
| Season | Notable Guest Stars | Contribution to Plot/Comedy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nathan Lane, Amy Ryan | Added depth to early mysteries, comedic relief |
| 2 | Cara Delevingne, Michael Cyril Creighton | Enhanced subplot, comedic interactions |
| 3 | Meryl Streep, Paul Rudd | Significant dramatic roles, musical comedy |
| 4 | Eugene Levy, Melissa McCarthy, Meryl Streep | Hollywood satire, comedic guest appearances |
| 5 | Keegan-Michael Key (announced) | Expected to add humor, details pending |
This table illustrates the show’s tradition of leveraging guest stars for both plot and comedy, setting expectations for Key’s role to follow suit.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
Keegan-Michael Key’s joining “Only Murders in the Building” for Season 5 is a significant update that aligns with the series’ strategy of enhancing its ensemble with comedic talent. His recurring role, while currently shrouded in mystery, is anticipated to bring additional laughs and potentially new dynamics to the show’s narrative. As production continues and more details emerge, fans can look forward to another season of mystery, humor, and star power, with Key’s contribution likely to be a highlight. The show’s history of critical and audience acclaim suggests that Season 5 will maintain its momentum, further solidifying its position as a standout comedy-mystery series on Hulu.
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