Let me tell you something, folks. Meryl Streep is nothing short of a legend. She’s been dazzling audiences for decades, and her role in Only Murders in the Building is just another shining example of her incredible talent. Now, here’s the scoop: this Oscar-winning powerhouse revealed why she decided to join the Hulu series alongside the hilarious Steve Martin, Martin Short, and the ever-talented Selena Gomez. Trust me, you’re going to love this story.
When Did the Queen of Acting Make Her Entrance?
It all started in 2023 when Meryl Streep stepped into the world of Only Murders in the Building as part of its third season. She took on the role of Loretta Durkin, an actress who gets cast in Oliver’s Broadway play. But here's the kicker—Loretta isn’t just any actress; she forms a deep and meaningful bond with Oliver that captivates audiences. Her performance was so outstanding that it earned her the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. That’s right, folks—she nailed it!
Why Did Meryl Streep Say Yes to This Role?
Let’s rewind for a moment. Before Meryl even joined the cast, she was already a devoted fan of Only Murders in the Building. So devoted, in fact, that she reached out to Steve Martin and Martin Short to see if there was a spot for her on the show. Now, that’s some serious initiative, right? The creators of the series, including John Hoffman, shared the incredible journey of how this collaboration came together.
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John Hoffman recounted the moment everything clicked during an August 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “It was wild,” he said. “I was brainstorming with executive producers Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal about this idea for the season three opener. We envisioned an actress walking onto a stage, auditioning for a part, and leaving Oliver completely mesmerized. That’s when I casually mentioned, ‘You know who would be perfect for this role? Meryl Streep.’ Of course, they laughed it off, thinking it was a pipe dream. But guess what? Two weeks later, I got a text from Steve and Marty saying, ‘Hey, Meryl Streep just reached out. She wants to talk about doing something together. Should we mention the show?’ I was like, ‘Absolutely!’”
John then shared how nerve-wracking it was to pitch the character of Loretta to Meryl Streep. “I presented the character over a super intense Zoom call,” he admitted. “I told her, ‘We actually open the season with your character. You’re 10 years old, visiting New York with your mom from St. Louis. Your mom takes you to your very first Broadway show, and it’s called No Strings.’ Before I could finish, Meryl interrupted me and said, ‘I saw that!’ Can you believe it? She went on to say, ‘I saw it with my mom. Diahann Carroll was in it, and she sang this incredible song.’ Then, she started singing ‘The Sweetest Sounds.’ I was completely blown away. I told her, ‘Meryl, stop! Those lyrics you just sang are on page one of the script I’m about to send you.’ She was astonished.”
Will We See More of Meryl in Season 4?
Yes, indeed! Fans of Only Murders in the Building are in for a treat because Meryl Streep is back for season 4. Karey Burke, President of 20th Television, confirmed the news during an episode of The Hollywood Reporter’s podcast. “Meryl is returning for the next season because she had such an amazing time,” Burke revealed.
If you recall, at the end of season 3, Loretta reconnects with her son, Dickie Glenroy, and decides to move to Los Angeles to pursue new acting opportunities. Season 4 follows Oliver, Mabel, and Charles as they head to L.A. to transform their popular podcast into a movie. With Meryl on board, you can expect even more laughter, drama, and unforgettable moments.
