Only Murders in the Building scored big at the 31st Annual SAG Awards held on February 23, 2025, walking away with two prestigious trophies. The beloved Hulu series captured the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, as well as the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series for Martin Short's role as Oliver Putnam.
Selena Gomez, who attended the event, was understandably shocked when the show was announced as the winner of the ensemble category. "We never win, this is so weird," she exclaimed, her surprise evident as she took to the stage. The absence of her co-stars, Steve Martin and Martin Short, who skipped the event due to personal commitments, made the moment even more unexpected. Gomez quickly found her footing and humor, joking about her absent co-stars: "Marty and Steve aren’t here because… you know, they don’t really care," eliciting laughter from the audience.
With the guidance of fellow cast member Richard Kind, Gomez expressed gratitude, saying, "Oh, and thank you to Marty and Steve. They raised me." She continued, "I genuinely am just so grateful. Everybody, the writers—everyone deserves this. I take it home for all of us and I’m bringing this back to New York for Season 5. Thank you so much. I’m so grateful! Thank you, SAG-AFTRA. Thank you to everybody. I love you." Gomez's heartfelt speech showcased not only her genuine surprise but also the camaraderie among the cast members.
Martin Short also made headlines with his win for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series at the age of 74, marking his very first SAG Award. Even though he could not be present at the ceremony due to COVID-19—a consequence of his recent appearance on the SNL 50th Anniversary Special—Short sent along his gratitude via statement, which read: "The honor of being awarded by your peers is even greater. Thank you so so much." His win is particularly commendable since he has been nominated several times previously for his work on the show.
The 2025 SAG Awards made history not only for Gomez and Short but also for the ensemble as the show became the surprise winner of every category it was nominated for at this year’s ceremony. The positive reception of the awards reflects the strong performances of the series' leads and their engaging chemistry, which has captivated audiences since the show's debut.
Looking forward, Only Murders in the Building has already been renewed for Season 5, with promises of new and thrilling plotlines. According to co-creator John Hoffman, the upcoming season will take on modern themes and events occurring within New York City, providing timely narratives. He hinted, "Season 5 will hit on some very current things going on within New York, specific to what’s happening right now, in ways we couldn’t have even predicted." Fans are particularly eager about the return of Meryl Streep's character, Loretta Durkin, with Hoffman expressing hope for her continued involvement.
Only Murders in the Building follows three unlikely friends—a trio whose lives have been transformed by their mutual love of true crime—as they solve various mysteries entwined within their New York City apartment building, the Arconia. The series, which launched on Hulu back in 2021, has introduced several celebrity guest stars along the way, weaving humor and suspense together masterfully.
The strong ensemble cast has cultivated not only success on-screen but also camaraderie off-screen. Kumail Nanjiani, who starred as one of the guest characters this season, praised the atmosphere backstage during filming as "truly supportive and generous". He highlighted the joyful environment created by Gomez, Martin, and Short, indicating such positivity contributes significantly to the show’s success.
Overall, the night of the SAG Awards marked a moment of triumph for both the cast and the production team of Only Murders in the Building. It stands as proof of television’s capability to create lasting impressions through engaging storytelling and character development. The captivating performances, warm humor, and the show’s intriguing mishmash of comedy and mystery continue to resonate, ensuring audiences are eagerly anticipating what’s next for the Arconia trio.