5 Minutes
Only Murders Goes Global: London on the Radar
Only Murders in the Building, the Emmy-winning mystery-comedy created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, appears poised to take its amateur sleuths across the Atlantic. According to industry reports, Season Six may shift the show's center of gravity from New York’s beloved Arconia to historic streets and stately hotels in London — a move that would give the series a distinctly European flavor while preserving its signature mix of humor, heartfelt character work, and whodunit puzzles.
Season Five — which is set to conclude on October 28, 2025 — continues the franchise’s pattern of expanding scope. After the main trio (Steve Martin’s Charles, Martin Short’s Oliver, and Selena Gomez’s Mabel) traveled to California in Season Four, the rumoured leap to London would mark Only Murders’ most explicitly international chapter yet. While no official renewal has been announced, the show’s popularity and awards pedigree make another season likely.
Why London?
Reporters close to the production suggest the move is both aesthetic and narrative. The Arconia’s Italian Renaissance–inspired architecture gave New York an unexpectedly European air, and London — with its labyrinthine history, fog-draped alleys, grand townhouses and boutique casinos — promises new textures for the detectives’ investigations. Producers may also be drawn to London’s iconic landmarks and a rich roster of local talent who can expand the whodunit possibilities.
That geographical shift also places Only Murders cheek-by-jowl with other prestige TV series leaning into international settings. Deadline noted that The White Lotus will set its next season in France, meaning two big HBO/Hulu-adjacent shows will be operating within a short train ride of each other. This trend — taking well-established formats and relocating them abroad — reflects a broader appetite for travel-forward storytelling in prestige television.
What Season Five Brings
Season Five centers on the murder of Lester, the Arconia’s beloved caretaker, and drags Charles, Oliver, and Mabel into the underworld of illegal casinos and organized crime. The season’s ensemble includes heavy hitters and new faces: Bobby Cannavale and Téa Leoni join the cast, alongside three mysterious billionaires played by Renée Zellweger, Christoph Waltz, and Logan Lerman. Keegan-Michael Key, Jermaine Fowler, Ben Feldstein, and Dianne Wiest are among the newer additions this season, while familiar performers such as Michael Cyril Creighton, Jackie Hoffman, Quinta Joy Randolph, Meryl Streep, Richard Kind, and Nathan Lane have returned.
The star-studded casting speaks to Only Murders’ particular blend of comedy and prestige drama: the series attracts actors who want to play with genre expectations and to appear in narratives that are self-aware without being smug.
Trivia and behind-the-scenes tidbits: the show’s podcast conceit has been a clever storytelling device, allowing creators to comment on true-crime culture even as the characters become embroiled in real danger. Fans often praise the chemistry between Martin, Short, and Gomez — a trio whose combined comic timing and emotional warmth keep the mysteries grounded in character.
"Relocating a show like Only Murders to London is both a risk and a creative opportunity," says film critic Anna Kovacs. "The series thrives on intimacy — the building is almost a character — so the success of a European season will depend on how well it finds a new home that feels equally lived-in."
Comparisons are inevitable: the show’s blend of cozy mystery and satirical edge recalls Agatha Christie adaptations and modern whodunits like Knives Out, but Only Murders remains unique because of its podcast framing and comedic leads. Industry-wise, the move underlines a trend where high-profile TV comedies embrace cinematic production values and travel to maintain freshness.
Whether the next murder will unfold in a London manor, a private club, or somewhere more unexpected remains to be seen. If Season Six is confirmed and filmed overseas, audiences can expect new architectural backdrops, fresh supporting players, and the same mix of intrigue and humor that turned the series into a cultural conversation starter.
In short: a London season would broaden the series’ canvas while testing how well its small-scale, character-first approach adapts to international sprawl. For fans of the show and lovers of smart, playful mysteries, that’s a promising proposition.
Comments
atomwave
wow didnt see London coming, love the idea tho. Hope they keep the Arconia vibe, not too glossy. curious!
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