Only Murders In The Building's 10 Best Guest Stars, Ranked

Published Oct 17, 2026, 11:15 AM EDT

Maggie Dela Paz is a News and TV writer at ScreenRant. She has nearly a decade of professional experience in writing entertainment articles about a wide range of topics, including movies, television, music, anime, streaming, and more.

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For the past five years, Only Murders in the Building has brought to life many interesting characters who have left their mark on the acclaimed show. Each season, Hulu’s murder-mystery series consistently delivers masterclass acting, elevated by the stellar chemistry of Steve Martin, Selena Gomez, and Martin Short. Gomez’s deadpan humor matches Short's and Martin’s double act, refined by their decades-long creative partnership. The oddball trio’s chemistry lets them shine individually without overshadowing one another.

While the leading trio remains the emotional anchor of Only Murders in the Building, the show’s revolving cast of guest stars makes each season thrilling and refreshing. This clever format keeps the hit Hulu series from falling into formulaic repetition, a common issue for traditional comedy shows. Throughout its run, fans have seen a slew of outstanding guest stars, who portrayed eccentric characters with bonkers storylines. With the level of talent joining Martin, Gomez, and Short in every installment, it's no surprise it remains one of Hulu's best shows.

From Glee alum Jane Lynch to Oscar winner Renée Zellweger, Only Murders in the Building's incredible roster of celebrity cameos and guest stars has raised the quality of the whodunit genre, transforming the acclaimed series into a cinematic spectacle. Ahead of the new wave of A-listers joining Only Murders in London, which premieres on December 8, 2026, let's look back on the guest stars who made the most impact during the show's first five seasons.

10 Renée Zellweger’s Camila White

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Renée Zellweger played Camila White in Only Murders in the Building season 5, one of the prime suspects in the fifth season’s murder mystery involving the death of Arconia doorman Lester. The Oscar winner showed off her comedic chops, playing a highly competitive billionaire who wants to turn the Arconia into the city’s first luxury casino.

Zellweger delivered a fun, hilarious performance inspired by real-life wellness and lifestyle gurus obsessed with aesthetics and home decor. Even though Camila wasn't the real killer, Only Murders in the Building season 5, episode 8, "Cuckoo Chicks," proved she's one of the show's most interesting villains. Her elegant appearance effectively masked her criminal activities and manipulative side, making her the unlikely leader of the wicked billionaire trio.

9 Christoph Waltz’s Bash Steed

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Like Zellweger, Christoph Waltz also played an antagonist in Only Murders in the Building season 5. He was introduced as Bash Steed, an eccentric tech billionaire obsessed with achieving immortality. This isn’t Waltz’s first time portraying oddball villains, thanks to his iconic roles in 2009’s Inglourious Basterds and 2015’s Spectre.

Critics and fans praised the character, entertained by his absurd jokes and comedic timing. Unlike his previous intense roles, Bash Steed stands out because of how uniquely whimsical the character is. Bash’s menacing aura is outweighed by his unintentional ridiculousness, which makes his scenes with the leading trio so fun to watch.

8 Nathan Lane’s Teddy Dimas

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Nathan Lane joined the first two seasons of Only Murders in the Building as the charming Teddy Dimas, introduced as Oliver’s longtime friend and one of the Arconia’s wealthy residents. Along with his Deaf son Theo, Teddy was one of Mabel, Charles, and Oliver’s prime suspects in the death of Tim Kono in season 1. During their investigation, it was revealed that Teddy was the criminal mastermind behind an illegal jewelry-selling ring, which involved him stealing expensive jewelry from the Arconia’s deceased residents.

In his portrayal of Teddy Dimas, Lane wasn’t only a comedic marvel but also showcased his character’s emotional depth and complex relationship with Theo. Lane's performance in season 1’s dialogue-free seventh episode, “The Boy from 6B,” earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor.

7 Tina Fey’s Cinda Canning

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Tina Fey’s Cinda Canning has been a delightful part of Only Murders in the Building since season 1. She was introduced as a popular true-crime podcast host who inspired Charles, Oliver, and Mabel to do one on their own. Fey brilliantly portrayed Cinda’s ruthlessness and insincerity through her signature satirical style of comedy. The idol-turned-rival's shocking appearance in Only Murders in the Building's season 5 finale is a full-circle moment.

After being absent from the main storylines of the last two seasons, Tina Fey's Cinda Canning takes center stage in Only Murders in the Building season 6. Her unexpected death leads Mabel, Charles, and Oliver to London, where Cinda was investigating the case of a young woman accused of murder.

6 Jane Lynch’s Sazz Pataki

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Jane Lynch’s portrayal of Sazz Pataki has been one of the best recurring parts of Only Murders in the Building. Sazz was Charles’ long-time friend and unlikely stunt double, who hilariously mimicked Charles’ look and physicality on and off-screen. Her confidence and easygoing persona perfectly contrasted Charles’ rigidity and insecurity. Her debut appearance earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress.

Audiences loved her unexpected appearances and scenes with the main trio, especially with Steve Martin’s Charles, whose friendship served as the emotional core of season 4. Lynch's Sazz has been such an integral part of the show that even after the character's death, the creative team still found a way to include her in Only Murders in the Building season 5 through flashback sequences.

5 Amy Ryan’s Jan Bellows

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Amy Ryan plays the quirky and sweet Jan Bellows, who also turned out to be a toxic psychopath responsible for the murder of Tim Kono. Jan's unpredictable villainous persona was masked by her seemingly innocent appearance in Only Murders in the Building season 1. Ryan flawlessly played Jan’s two-sided personality. Fans wanted to see more of her character and her hilariously unhinged interactions with Charles.

Despite getting arrested in season 1, Jan's sudden cameos throughout Only Murders' five-season run have become a staple of the acclaimed whodunit show. After her season 1 performance, Ryan's scene-stealing return in Only Murders in the Building season 4 changed everything when she unexpectedly redeemed herself by saving Charles, Oliver, and Mabel.

4 Richard Kind’s Vince Fish

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Richard Kind’s Vince Fish was definitely one of the best cast additions in Only Murders in the Building season 4. His character became an instant fan favorite because of Kind’s terrific old-school comedy style. Although Vince was introduced as an eccentric, eye-patch-wearing resident of the Arconia’s West Tower, viewers couldn't help but root for him. Kind successfully brought charm and endearing vulnerability to his character’s weirdness.

Only Murders in the Building season 5 saw him transformed from a potential suspect to a valuable ally. Kind is expected to reprise the role yet again in the upcoming sixth installment, Only Murders in London. However, it remains unknown how he'll play into the main trio's newest murder investigation.

3 Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Detective Donna Williams

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One of Only Murders in the Building’s most important recurring guest stars is Detective Donna Williams, played by Academy Award winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph. She has been a vital part of all of Mabel, Charles, and Oliver’s investigations throughout the series. Her deadpan reactions and much-needed reality checks to the main trio’s chaotic investigations have been a joy to watch.

Even though the reliable Detective Williams has had enough of their unwarranted antics, she keeps helping them, having developed a sense of respect for their dedication to solving murder mysteries. Randolph's fan-favorite detective will also accompany the Arconia trio all the way to the United Kingdom in Only Murders in the Building season 6. Her return assures fans another season of fun-filled comedic banter between Detective Williams and the main trio.

2 Paul Rudd’s Ben Gilroy & Glen Stubbins

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Paul Rudd’s introduction as Hollywood action star Ben Glenroy in Only Murders in the Building season 3 has been one of the show's best additions. The Ant-Man star impressively showcased his character’s absurd arrogance and diva attitude, while still making him charismatically likable. Rudd explored Ben Glenroy's vulnerability as someone desperate to make his Broadway debut successful.

Thanks to Rudd's memorable season 3 performance, they brought him back in season 4 to play an entirely different character: Glen Stubbins, Ben Glenroy's Irish stunt double. Fans enjoyed the character's unhinged and cartoonish antics. Rudd also made an unexpected cameo in season 5, in which he hilariously voiced the Arconia's doorman A.I. robot. It remains to be seen if the show will continue this Paul Rudd gag in its upcoming sixth season.

1 Meryl Streep’s Loretta Durkin

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Meryl Streep’s comedic and moving performance as Loretta Durkin in Only Murders in the Building is absolutely fantastic. Loretta was introduced as an underappreciated actress who finally gets her big break with Oliver’s comeback play after enduring a life of rejections (the complete opposite of Streep's own career).

For the past three seasons of Only Murders in the Building, the award-winning actress has been a stellar recurring guest, capturing fans with her character’s quirkiness and endearing passion for acting. Her unexpected chemistry with Martin Short’s Oliver has been delightful to watch. Streep has also shared many unforgettable scenes with other guest stars, including Paul Rudd, Melissa McCarthy, and Dianne Wiest. Loretta’s story will continue in season 6, as she officially joins Oliver, Charles, and Mabel in London.

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  Charles-Haden Savage

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  Oliver Putnam

Only Murders in the Building is a mystery-comedy series following three strangers, portrayed by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, who bond over their shared obsession with true crime. Set in a Manhattan apartment building, the trio becomes embroiled in real murder mysteries within their residence.