Only Murders in the Building Creator Details How Meryl Streep Joined as Lead

Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building has created quite a fanbase with its compelling screenplay and talented A-list cast. The comedy-drama series has proved to be one of the finest shows, winning several awards. It has even broken the record for most Emmy nominations, securing 21 of them. Recently, John Hoffman, one of the writers and co-creators of Only Murders in the Building, sat down for an interview. He talked about how the show managed to land legendary actress Meryl Streep as Martin Short’s leading lady.

Here’s everything John Hoffman shared about Meryl Streep’s addition to the cast of Only Murders in the Building.

John Hoffman reveals Meryl Streep’s Only Murders casting incident

With an explosive stint at the 2024 Emmys, Only Murders in the Building has become an elite series in TV history. Before Season 4’s arrival, John Hoffman talked about multiple aspects related to the show, including Meryl Streep’s casting.

The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Hoffman and asked about how the narrative of Season 3 came together. Following that, the question of Streep’s casting in Only Murders in the Building was brought up. For those unaware, the actress plays the role of Loretta Durkin, the romantic interest of Martin Short’s character, Oliver Putnam.

Talking about Streep’s casting with THR, Hoffman said that he discussed the opening scene of Season 3 with the executive producers, Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal. In between the conversation, he asked them, “Well, the perfect person to play this part — you know who that is?” As soon as Hoffman revealed Meryl Streep was his choice, Dan and Jess said, “Good luck with that, John.”

Luckily for John Hoffman, Streep had reached out to Martin Short and Steve Martin to work on a project together with him. They brought up the show and she agreed to be in it for the right character. He then recalled the Zoom call he had with her on which he explained her character’s introduction in the story.

“I pitched her the character over a very nervous-making Zoom. I said, ‘We open on your character, actually, in the very first scene, but you’re 10 and visiting New York from St. Louis with your mom, who’s bringing you to your first Broadway show, it’s called No Strings’,” said Hoffman. Interrupting him, Streep told him how her mother accompanied her when she was a child for that same show.

Moreover, Hoffman then stated that this revelation left him speechless. He told Streep: “I don’t know what the hell is happening right now, but Meryl, you have to stop because my head is going to explode.” Beyond this, the casting process went quite smoothly and Meryl Streep signed up. Lastly, THR asked if Hoffman had someone else on his casting bucket list, and he simply replied, “Catherine O’Hara.”

Only Murders in the Building Season 4 debuts on August 27, 2024.