The Full Ensemble: Every Major Star And Character Confirmed For Only Murders In The Building Season 5
The Arconia’s doors swung open once more on September 9, 2025, bringing with it a fresh murder, a new season of the hit true-crime podcast, and a star-studded cast to match the show’s high-stakes legacy. After the dramatic conclusion of Season 4, fans were left reeling by the shocking death of a beloved, long-time character, setting the stage for the fifth and arguably most personal investigation yet for Charles, Oliver, and Mabel.
This season, the central mystery revolves around the tragic murder of Lester, the Arconia’s ever-present doorman, a familiar face who had guarded the building’s secrets for years. The core trio—now seasoned amateur sleuths—must navigate a complex web of building politics, forgotten histories, and a fresh batch of suspicious new residents and high-profile guest stars. Here is the definitive guide to every major cast member and character who shaped the thrilling narrative of Only Murders in the Building Season 5.
The True-Crime Trio: The Core Investigative Team
The heart of the series remains the unlikely friendship and comedic chemistry of the three podcast hosts. Their return was the most anticipated news, with their characters diving deep into the life and death of Lester.
- Steve Martin as Charles-Haden Savage: The semi-retired actor and Brazzos star returns, grappling with the emotional weight of another murder in his home. Charles’s dry wit and cautious nature provide the perfect foil to Oliver’s theatricality, all while he continues to explore his relationship with his new life and career.
- Martin Short as Oliver Putnam: The flamboyant Broadway director faces a new financial crisis and a new opportunity to turn the Arconia’s tragedy into content gold. Oliver’s dramatic flair and penchant for over-the-top theories are essential to the podcast's success, even as he mourns the loss of a long-time building acquaintance.
- Selena Gomez as Mabel Mora: The young, enigmatic artist steps into her own this season, taking a more grounded, investigative lead. Mabel’s sharp instincts and personal connection to the Arconia's past are crucial as the trio uncovers the secrets of Lester’s life and the potential threat still lurking in the building.
The Victim and The Familiar Arconia Faces
Every season requires a victim and a host of familiar, quirky Arconia residents who become suspects, allies, or both. Season 5’s victim was a character fans had seen since the beginning, making the case deeply felt by the entire building.
- Teddy Coluca as Lester the Doorman: The central figure of the Season 5 mystery. Lester, who had been the Arconia’s doorman for decades, is found murdered, and the investigation reveals a complex backstory and a hidden life that no one in the building truly knew. Coluca’s presence is felt throughout the season, even after the character's death, through flashbacks and emotional testimonials.
- Michael Cyril Creighton as Howard Morris: The cat-loving, nervous building resident and podcast superfan is back. Howard, now a key part of the Arconia's social fabric, provides his usual blend of insider gossip and unexpected, often unhelpful, clues.
- Vanessa Aspillaga as Ursula: The sardonic, perpetually exhausted Arconia manager and seller of questionable dips returns. Ursula’s unique perspective on the building’s administrative and resident dramas is a vital source of information for the trio.
- Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Detective Williams: The no-nonsense NYPD detective is once again reluctantly drawn into the amateur investigation. Her professional skepticism and grudging respect for the trio’s knack for solving murders make her an essential recurring character.
The New Suspects: Major Guest Stars and New Characters in Season 5
One of the show's greatest strengths is its ability to attract A-list talent for recurring roles and cameos, introducing new characters who become integral to the murder investigation. Season 5 delivered a roster of new faces, each with a suspicious connection to Lester and the Arconia.
The High-Profile New Residents and Associates
The Arconia, being a prestigious New York City residence, always draws in wealthy and eccentric new tenants. This season’s additions provided a fresh pool of suspects and red herrings.
- Téa Leoni: Joining the cast in a major recurring role, Leoni plays a mysterious and influential figure from Lester’s past, whose sudden reappearance in New York coincides with the murder. Her character brings a layer of high-society intrigue to the case.
- Dianne Wiest: The Academy Award winner steps in as a formidable new resident of the Arconia. Her character, an established figure in the New York art world, quickly clashes with Mabel and Oliver, making her an immediate, and highly entertaining, suspect.
- Jermaine Fowler: Fowler plays a new character connected to the Arconia’s staff, whose knowledge of the building’s inner workings and relationship with Lester are crucial to the investigation. His character provides a vital link to the victim's day-to-day life.
- Teddy Coluca (Flashbacks): While the character is the victim, the season heavily relies on flashbacks to Lester’s life, featuring Coluca and introducing several characters from his history, including his estranged family and a secret hobby that becomes a major plot point.
- Julian Cihi (Cameo): The return of Tim Kono, the original murder victim from Season 1, was a shocking and brief cameo in a flashback sequence. This unexpected appearance helped Mabel understand a crucial connection between the Arconia's past and Lester's final days.
The Topical Authority: Key Entities and Themes
To maintain its topical authority as a true-crime parody, the series consistently integrates themes, locations, and narrative devices that ground it in the genre and its setting. Season 5 was no exception, expanding the world beyond the immediate murder to include a deeper look at the Arconia itself.
The Arconia: A Character in Itself
The iconic Upper West Side building, The Arconia, acts as a primary entity. The mystery of Lester's murder is framed as a betrayal of the building’s tight-knit community. The fate of the Arconia itself becomes a recurring subplot, with rumors of a potential sale or renovation adding pressure to the trio's investigation.
The True-Crime Podcast Phenomenon
The fictional podcast, "Only Murders in the Building," continues to be the engine of the plot. The season explores the ethics of true-crime storytelling, especially when the victim is a well-known figure within their own community. Oliver’s attempts to monetize the new season and Charles’s discomfort with the public scrutiny provide ongoing comedic tension.
LSI Keywords and Entities Woven Into the Plot:
- New York City: The city's unique blend of high-society and working-class life is essential to the show's atmosphere, particularly in exploring Lester's double life.
- Broadway: Oliver’s ongoing theatrical pursuits, including a new, high-risk production, constantly distract him from the murder, providing comedic relief.
- Brazzos: Charles’s long-running fictional detective show, which often provides him with surprisingly relevant, if melodramatic, investigative insights.
- Hulu Series: The show’s platform and status as a beloved streaming comedy-crime drama are frequently referenced, often with meta-humor.
- Murder Mystery: The overarching genre is both celebrated and parodied, with the trio constantly debating classic tropes and red herrings.
- Lester's Backstory: The investigation uncovers details about the doorman's family, his secret life outside the Arconia, and a surprising connection to a past resident, driving the plot forward.
With its blend of returning favorites and a fresh wave of high-profile guest stars, Only Murders in the Building Season 5 successfully delivered another captivating murder mystery. The ensemble cast—led by the unparalleled chemistry of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez—ensured that the investigation into Lester the Doorman’s death was as heartfelt and hilarious as it was suspenseful.
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