Selena Gomez is finally making her small-screen comeback, but she’s trading in her Disney credentials for Hulu ones. In the pop singer’s first recurring TV role since Alex Russo on Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place, she’ll play Only Murders in the Building‘s fittingly chic Upper West Sider, Mabel, who’s embroiled in a whodunnit after a murder takes place in her building. Her co-amateur detectives include comedy icons Steve Martin and Martin Short, who pull on their true-crime gloves to aid Gomez in cracking the case—only to realize there might be more going on within their trio than they first realized.
Martin and John Hoffman co-wrote and created the series and will co-executive produce alongside Gomez, Short, This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman, and Jess Rosenthal. Here’s everything you need to know to prep for the biggest true crime-podcast-turned-comedy of the summer.
When will season 1 premiere?
Hulu confirmed Only Murders in the Building will drop on Tuesday, Aug. 31, with new episodes released weekly. There will be 10 episodes total.
“It’s really special, surprisingly emotional,” Craig Erwich, the head of Hulu originals, told Deadline when the show was first announced in August 2020. “It’s really modern and self-referential about podcasts and murders, it’s got some great surprises. When they pull this off, it’s going to be really special.”
Gomez herself is a huge true crime fan and even attended CrimeCon Chicago with her mom in February 2020.
Is there a trailer?
Check out a first look at Gomez’s acting chops below. (Spoiler: She’s still got it.)
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Who’s in the cast?
Besides Gomez, Martin, and Short, expect a number of other familiar faces from the comedy, drama, and music worlds. Nathan Lane will play a recurring role as “a building resident and owner of a popular New York City grocery chain,” Deadline reported on Jan. 13. Amy Ryan is also set to star in an undisclosed role.
Martin tweeted about Sting’s involvement in the show in January.
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And Jane Lynch also made an appearance with Martin—complete with matching costumes—on his Twitter feed in March.
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Is Only Murders in the Building a comedy or a drama?
Expect a little of both.
During an Instagram Live in February, Gomez opened up about the tone of the show and what it’s like working with Martin and Short. “The show is actually really fun,” she revealed. “It’s kind of a dramedy, so there’s moments that are real and then there are other moments that are complete chaos and hilarious. I’m working with Steve Martin and Martin Short and if you don’t know their work, by the way, they’re pretty amazing people to be around.”
Gomez, Short, and Martin on set on March 30, 2021.
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Short gave a full breakdown of the series to The Daily Beast during a wide-ranging interview last August.
It’s about three people who live in one of those upscale apartment buildings in New York. They see each on the elevator, they kind of nod, but they never really speak. They don’t even know each other’s names. And then you find out that each one of them goes to their individual apartments and just turns on true crime and obsesses. And then one time they’re in the elevator with this fourth person. And they find out that fourth person is killed and they’re determined to solve it. But they make a pact: only murders in the building will they solve. Because they can’t be bothered to go outside.
How was Gomez cast?
For Gomez’s April Vogue cover, Martin opened up about the choice to cast her. “You get a list of names, you know, you’re thinking, ‘Sure, they’d be good, they’d be good,’ and then they say, ‘What about Selena Gomez?’ and it’s just—yes, of course. There was no question except ‘Can we get her?’ We knew she would enhance the show in so many ways, the number one being talent,” he explained. “Her performance is rich and adult. She’s learned to underplay when necessary. Marty and I are pretty manic, and she’s this solid, solid rock foundation. She’s nicely, intensely low-key.”
Will there be a romance?
Gomez will have an onscreen love interest in Aaron Dominguez. Paparazzi photographed the two filming in NYC in February; Gomez was snapped cuddling alongside Dominguez as they shared a sweet smile.
Gomez and Dominguez on set on February 25.
James DevaneyGetty Images
Gomez’s fan base went wild after seeing the photo, assuming the pair were dating IRL and spamming his Instagram. Gomez later addressed the situation in a March interview with the L.A. Times. “We had just started working together,” Gomez said. “I honestly thought, ‘No wonder guys don’t want to date me!’ I think people only care because I’m young, and the older I get the less they’ll care. For now it’s a part of the job that I don’t really like. I’m actually grateful that I’m not involved with anyone right now.”
Dominguez also joined Gomez’s IG Live in February, and the pair’s chemistry was apparent.
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Is the fashion any good?
Gomez is involved, so yes, expect the fashion to be top-notch. Hulu released the first photos from the series on May 20, and three include Gomez sporting a cheerful mustard- and canary-yellow outfit alongside her co-stars.
On December 3, Martin shared his excitement about the first day of filming on Twitter. Sporting a masked selfie, he took the opportunity to celebrate Gomez and poke fun at Short.
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Paparazzi captured Gomez filming with Martin and Short many times in December, January, February, and March. Her covetable costumes include a chic all-black suit, a preppy plaid miniskirt, and a ton of great coats. Most recently, she wore a navy checkered trench and bright yellow pants while filming in the Bronx. Here’s hoping dressing up as Mabel will be this October’s trendiest Halloween costume.
Starr Savoy
Starr Savoy is a fellow at ELLE.com, where she writes about celebrity, culture, beauty, and fashion.
Lauren Puckett-Pope
Associate Editor
Lauren Puckett-Pope is an associate editor at ELLE, where she covers news and culture.
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