Only Murders in the Building season 3 loses one major character from the first two seasons. Premiered in 2021, the hit Hulu series follows Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as Charles, Oliver, and Mabel – residents of the Arconia who start a true-crime podcast that only investigates murders in the building. The third season, which is set to premiere on August 8, will pick up following the sudden death of Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd) during the season 2 finale.
However, one major character won't be a part of the next murder mystery. According to Deadline, Teddy Dimas isn't returning for Only Murders in the Building season 3. Nathan Lane, who played the character in the first two seasons, had a prior commitment to the Broadway play Pictures From Home which prevented him from returning for season 3. However, the door is open for Teddy's return in the event of a fourth season.
How Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Can Make Up For The Major Loss
Over the first two seasons, Lane appeared in a total of seven episodes as Teddy, who is the owner of Dimas Delis, has ties to organized crime, and funds the three main characters' podcast. Teddy is also an old friend of Oliver and as his foil, often butts heads with Short's struggling Broadway director. Lane even won an Emmy for season 1, episode 7, "The Boy from 6B," which includes no audible dialogue as it explores the relationship between Teddy and his deaf son, Theo. Season 2 also revealed that Teddy is actually the biological father of Oliver's son, Will.
While Nathan Lane is a major loss for the Only Murders in the Building season 3 cast, the show should have no problem making up for it with several new additions to the A-list ensemble. The third season will feature three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep, Grey’s Anatomy's Jesse Williams, Emily in Paris star Ashley Park, and the return of Paul Rudd who was introduced as Ben Glenroy during the season 2 finale. If there is one upside to Lane not returning for season 3, it's that Teddy Dimas can likely be ruled out as a suspect in Ben Glenroy's death.
Source: Deadline