Only Murders in the Building Season 6: Delayed Launch, UK Setting, and Star-Studded Guest Cast

The sixth season of the Hulu series *Only Murders in the Building* is scheduled to debut on December 8, roughly three months later than the series’ typical late-summer premiere. Showrunner and executive producer John Hoffman explained that the shift results from the decision to film the season primarily in the United Kingdom and from related scheduling constraints.

Vulture

The season opens with the on-screen death of podcaster Cinda Canning (Tina Fey), who collapses on the Arconia’s gate while promoting her new U.K.-based podcast *The Girl With the Curls*. Her final grip on the gate provides the trio—Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez)—with a justification to investigate her murder abroad. Hoffman noted that the later-year release allows the story to move toward a “Christmas vibe,” with production deliberately aiming for a rainy, cloudy winter atmosphere despite filming during a hot summer. A holiday-themed episode will feature Martin Short in a Father Christmas costume.

Vulture

The U.K. setting has enabled a “massive list of guest stars,” all portraying original characters rather than playing themselves. Notable participants include:

"Only Murders in the Building" Sets Release Date, More Details, for Season 6

• Olivia Colman – a writer of books (not the in-universe TV series)

"Only Murders in the Building" Sets Release Date, More Details, for Season 6

• Former *Doctor Who* leads David Tennant, Peter Capaldi, and Jodie Whittaker

Vulture

• Former *Spice Girl* Geri Halliwell

Vulture

• *Absolutely Fabulous* veterans Jennifer Saunders and Jane Horrocks (Saunders’ role draws inspiration from fashion designer Vivienne Westwood)

Vulture

• Martin Freeman, Jim Broadbent, Derek Jacobi, Richard Ayoade, and others such as Nicola Coughlan, Jamie Demetriou, and Derek Jacobi

Vulture

Hoffman emphasized that the expanded ensemble was necessary because most episodes now take place outside New York City and the Arconia. He likened the integration of new talent to the precedent set when Meryl Streep appeared in season three, noting that the cast “drops all pretense” and “laughs all day.”

Vulture

Filming occurred across various U.K. locations, including an hour-long drive outside London for a “Country House” episode set in a stately home. Although the shoot took place in summer, the creative team pursued a winter aesthetic to align with the holiday timing of the broadcast.

Vulture

John Hoffman provided several details about the season’s direction:

Vulture

• The delayed premiere is a direct result of the trans-Atlantic production schedule.

Vulture

• The holiday timing will be reflected in both visual tone and narrative elements, culminating in a Christmas-flavored conclusion.

Vulture

• A subplot will see Steve Martin’s character discover a U.K. reboot of the fictional TV series *Brazzos*, with Martin Freeman slated to play the lead in that reboot.

Vulture

• “It was technically a murder in the building because she did it with her last gasp,” — John Hoffman

Vulture

• “Martin Freeman will go toe-to-toe at some point with Charles as to who’s the better Brazzos,” — John Hoffman

Vulture

The December 8 release will mark the series’ first foray into a fully U.K.-based storyline, introducing a holiday-infused mystery and a roster of prominent British talent.

Vulture