The Arconia is no ordinary Manhattan apartment building. Over the past few years, it has become the most dangerous, yet strangely comedic, address in New York City. At the heart of this chaos are three unlikely friends: Charles-Haden Savage, a washed-up television detective; Oliver Putnam, a struggling Broadway director with a penchant for dips; and Mabel Mora, a mysterious young artist with a hidden connection to the building’s past. Together, they have transformed their shared obsession with true crime into a hit podcast, solving a new murder in every season.

With five full seasons and fifty episodes already aired, keeping track of every clue, red herring, and dramatic reveal is a daunting task for any investigator. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of every episode of "Only Murders in the Building," exploring how the trio went from amateur sleuths to podcasting icons, and looking ahead to their upcoming international mystery in Season 6.

The Foundation of the Arconia Podcast Trio

Before diving into the episode list, it is essential to understand the premise that drives the show. The narrative begins when a resident named Tim Kono dies under suspicious circumstances. While the police rule it a suicide, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel suspect foul play. Their decision to document their investigation via a podcast creates a "meta" layer to the storytelling, where the audience listens to the podcast while watching the events unfold.

Season 1 The Tim Kono Mystery

Season 1 introduced us to the eccentric world of the Arconia and the peculiar dynamics of our lead trio. Spanning ten episodes, it established the show’s signature blend of humor and genuine suspense.

Episode 1: True Crime

The series opens with an emergency evacuation at the Arconia. Neighbors Charles, Oliver, and Mabel bond over a shared podcast while waiting at a local diner. Upon returning, they discover Tim Kono has died. Despite the official suicide ruling, the trio begins to suspect murder after finding evidence that Tim didn't want to die.

Episode 2: Who Is Tim Kono?

The group begins researching the victim, uncovering that Tim was widely disliked in the building. Mabel’s secretive past starts to unravel as we learn she actually knew Tim since childhood.

Episode 3: How Well Do You Know Your Neighbors?

The trio starts interviewing neighbors, realizing that almost everyone had a motive to kill Tim. Oliver tries to secure funding for their podcast, while Charles struggles with his own isolation.

Episode 4: The Sting

Believing that famous resident Sting might be the killer, the trio attempts to confront him. Meanwhile, the podcast starts gaining real-world traction, much to their surprise.

Episode 5: Twist

Mabel goes on a solo mission to Long Island, followed by Charles and Oliver. The episode reveals more about the "Hardy Boys," the group of friends Mabel and Tim belonged to in their youth.

Episode 6: To Protect and Serve

Mabel’s mother expresses concern about her involvement in the case. Detective Williams, who initially dismissed the trio, begins to have second thoughts about the suicide ruling and starts leaking information to them.

Episode 7: The Boy from 6B

In a revolutionary episode told entirely without spoken dialogue, we see the investigation through the eyes of Theo Dimas, the deaf son of Teddy Dimas. This episode reveals a tragic accident from years ago that links the Dimas family to Tim Kono.

Episode 8: Fan Fiction

The trio enlists the help of their podcast’s most devoted fans (the "Arconiacs") to help sift through the evidence. They finally close in on the Dimas family, but a shocking twist suggests they might have the wrong suspects.

Episode 9: Double Fault

With the Dimas family out of the picture, the trio must look elsewhere. Charles finds himself falling for Jan, a bassoonist in the building, but Mabel and Oliver remain suspicious of everyone.

Episode 10: Open and Shut

The Season 1 finale reveals the true killer of Tim Kono. Just as the trio celebrates their success, a new body is found—the building’s board president, Bunny Folger—and Charles, Oliver, and Mabel are found over the body, leading to their arrest.

Season 2 The Death of Bunny Folger

Season 2 picks up immediately after the arrest, with the trio now serving as the prime suspects in Bunny’s murder.

Episode 1: Persons of Interest

The trio is released from custody but warned not to investigate. Naturally, they ignore this and start a new season of the podcast to clear their names.

Episode 2: Framed

A memorial for Bunny provides an opportunity to question neighbors. A mysterious, expensive painting belonging to Bunny goes missing, and Charles discovers a connection between the painting and his father.

Episode 3: The Last Day of Bunny Folger

Through a series of flashbacks, we see Bunny’s final hours. A foul-mouthed parrot named Mrs. Gambolini becomes a critical piece of evidence.

Episode 4: Here's Looking at You

Charles, Oliver, and Mabel welcome Lucy, a teenage girl from Charles’s past who lived in the Arconia years ago. She reveals she was in the building’s secret passageways on the night of Bunny’s murder.

Episode 5: The Tell

Mabel hosts a party to smoke out a liar. Suspicion falls on Alice, an artist Mabel has befriended, but the investigation takes another turn when a secret passage is found leading to Charles’s apartment.

Episode 6: Performance Review

The trio collides with their podcasting mentor-turned-competitor, Cinda Canning. They suspect Cinda might be manufacturing crimes to fuel her own podcast empire.

Episode 7: Flipping the Pieces

Following an incident on the subway, Mabel finds an unlikely ally in Detective Williams. They work together to analyze the evidence found in Bunny’s apartment.

Episode 8: Hello Darkness

A city-wide blackout throws the Arconia into chaos. The trio must navigate the dark hallways to protect Lucy from a mysterious figure known as "Glitter Guy."

Episode 9: Sparring Partners

Mabel realizes that the mystery is deeper than she thought. She discovers a link between Bunny’s murder and a cold case from Cinda Canning’s past.

Episode 10: I Know Who Did It

The killer is revealed in a dramatic "Killer Reveal Party." The season ends with a one-year time jump to the opening night of Oliver’s new Broadway play, where the lead actor, Ben Glenroy, collapses and dies on stage.

Season 3 The Goosebury Theater Tragedy

Season 3 takes the mystery out of the Arconia and into the world of Broadway, focusing on the death of action star Ben Glenroy.

Episode 1: The Show Must...

Curtain up on the new season! We see the events leading up to Ben’s death and the immediate aftermath at the Goosebury Theater.

Episode 2: The Beat Goes On

The trio attends Ben’s lavish memorial service. However, a shocking discovery is made back at the Arconia: Ben isn't dead—or is he? A second death occurs, this time for real.

Episode 3: Grab Your Hankies

Oliver tries to salvage his play by turning it into a musical called "Death Rattle Dazzle." Mabel and Charles begin investigating the cast and crew.

Episode 4: The White Room

Charles experiences "The White Room," a psychological fugue state caused by his intense stage fright. Mabel investigates Kimber, a social media influencer in the cast.

Episode 5: Ah, Love!

The trio goes on separate dates, each using the opportunity to gather clues. New York proves to be a jewel box of romance and suspicion.

Episode 6: Ghost Light

The investigation leads back to the Goosebury Theater, which is rumored to be haunted. The trio discovers secret rooms and hidden motives among the stagehands.

Episode 7: CoBro

Charles finds an unexpected source for a major clue involving Ben’s past as the superhero "CoBro." Oliver struggles with the pressure of the musical.

Episode 8: Sitzprobe

During the most critical rehearsal for the musical, the pressure reaches a breaking point. A confession is made, but it might be a cover-up for something darker.

Episode 9: Thirty

The trio amasses a "plethora" of clues. Using a creative narrative device, they reconstruct Ben’s final 30 minutes before his first collapse.

Episode 10: Opening Night

It’s opening night for "Death Rattle Dazzle." Between musical numbers, Charles, Mabel, and Oliver race to entrap the killer. The season ends with the shocking shooting of Sazz Pataki, Charles’s long-time stunt double, inside Charles’s apartment.

Season 4 The Sazz Pataki Investigation

Season 4 brings a "meta" twist as a Hollywood studio decides to make a movie about the trio's podcast, all while they investigate Sazz's murder.

Episode 1: Once Upon a Time in the West

The trio is whisked to Los Angeles to discuss a film adaptation of their podcast. They meet the actors playing them: Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis, and Eva Longoria. Back in New York, they discover Sazz’s remains in the incinerator.

Episode 2: Gates of Heaven

Suspecting the shot came from the West Tower, Mabel and Oliver investigate the "Westies." They meet Vince Fish and a family of residents who play a mysterious game called "Oh Hell."

Episode 3: Two for the Road

The Hollywood actors shadow the trio to learn their "essence." Mabel and Eva investigate Rudy Thurber, a resident who loves Christmas—perhaps a bit too much.

Episode 4: The Stunt Man

The trio delves into the world of stunt people to find out why Sazz was targeted. They visit a stunt bar and learn about Sazz’s dream of opening a training camp.

Episode 5: Adaptation

Bev Melon, the film producer, points a gun at the trio but eventually explains she is also trying to protect the film's reputation. Suspicion shifts to the "Brothers Sisters," the twin directors of the movie.

Episode 6: Blow-Up

A documentary-style episode filmed by the Brothers Sisters. The trio realizes they are being watched by multiple cameras hidden throughout the building.

Episode 7: Valley of the Dolls

Feeling unsafe in the Arconia, the trio flees to Long Island to stay with Charles's sister. However, the mystery follows them there.

Episode 8: Lifeboat

The trio and their Hollywood counterparts have a showdown with the West Tower residents. They discover the truth about "Milton Dudenoff," the man who supposedly owned all the West Tower apartments.

Episode 9: Escape from Planet Klongo

Seeking a critical clue, the trio infiltrates a film set where Ron Howard is directing. They realize the killer might be someone from their past related to a specific stunt mishap.

Episode 10: My Best Friend's Wedding

The truth about Sazz’s murder is revealed during a chaotic wedding. The season ends with another cliffhanger involving a new resident and a potential threat from the past.

Season 5 The Billionaire Suspects and Beyond

In Season 5, the stakes reach an all-time high as the trio finds themselves entangled with New York’s elite.

Episode 1: Nail in the Coffin

A new investigation lures Charles, Oliver, and Mabel out of Manhattan. Clues found at a remote location suggest the Arconia’s history is more complicated than they ever imagined.

Episode 2: After You

This episode offers a nostalgic look back at the early days of Lester, the Arconia’s doorman. His history provides a surprising clue to the current mystery.

Episode 3: Rigor

The trio stumbles upon a crucial piece of physical evidence that points toward the involvement of the city's wealthiest families.

Episode 4: Dirty Birds

Snooping goes sideways when three billionaire suspects catch the trio in the act. The power dynamics in the building shift as the trio realizes they might be out of their league.

Episode 5: Tongue Tied

Mabel and Oliver’s podcast plans are thwarted by a legal injunction. They must find creative, off-the-record ways to continue their investigation.

Episode 6: Flatbush

Oliver and Loretta take a trip back to the streets of Oliver’s childhood. This personal journey reveals secrets about Oliver’s family that impact the case.

Episode 7: Silver Alert

The Mayor of New York warns the trio about the billionaires they are investigating. It becomes clear that the murder is linked to a massive real estate conspiracy.

Episode 8: Cuckoo Chicks

Mabel gathers a "ragtag group" to crash an exclusive ladies' night event. The goal is to obtain a confession from one of the primary suspects.

Episode 9: Les Tr

An experimental episode told through the lens of an annoying robot. The robot’s recordings hold the key to the secrets hidden within the Arconia’s penthouse.

Episode 10: The House Always...

In the season finale, the clock is ticking as the trio tries to bring "new" and "old" forces together to solve the mystery. The season concludes with a major reveal that sets the stage for a change of scenery.

Everything to Know About Only Murders in the Building Season 6

The success of the first 50 episodes has paved the way for an even more ambitious Season 6. According to early production reports, the show is heading "across the pond" to London. This marks the first time the central mystery will take place primarily outside of New York City.

New Cast and Production Details

Filming for Season 6 has already generated significant buzz. While the core trio—Charles, Oliver, and Mabel—will return, they will be joined by an impressive ensemble of guest stars, including:

  • Peter Capaldi: Known for his commanding presence, his role is expected to be central to the London mystery.
  • Simone Ashley: A rising star who will likely bring a new energy to the investigation.
  • Richard Ayoade and Nicola Coughlan: Both actors are known for their comedic timing, fitting perfectly into the show's tone.

The Plot Direction

Moving to London suggests that the mystery may involve Oliver’s theater connections or perhaps a international podcasting convention. Regardless of the reason, the transition from the Arconia to the historic streets of London provides a fresh canvas for the writers to explore.

Recurring Motifs and Podcast Culture

One of the reasons "Only Murders in the Building" remains popular through 50 episodes is its consistent use of specific motifs:

  1. The Dips: Oliver’s obsession with dips is a long-running gag that often provides a moment of levity during tense investigations.
  2. Brazzos: Charles often quotes his old detective show, usually to the annoyance of Mabel and Oliver.
  3. The Meta-Commentary: The show frequently pokes fun at the true-crime genre, the ethics of podcasting, and the tropes of mystery writing.
  4. The Fashion: From Mabel’s vibrant coats to Charles’s classic hats, the costume design is a character in itself.

Conclusion

Over five seasons, "Only Murders in the Building" has proven to be more than just a simple "whodunnit." It is a study of loneliness, friendship, and the power of storytelling. By following the 50 episodes listed above, viewers can see the intricate web of clues that John Hoffman and Steve Martin have woven together. As the trio prepares for their London adventure in Season 6, the legacy of the Arconia remains the foundation of one of the most creative series in modern television.

FAQ

How many episodes are in each season of Only Murders in the Building?

Each season of the show consists of 10 episodes, making a total of 50 episodes through the end of Season 5.

Is Only Murders in the Building renewed for Season 6?

Yes, the show has been officially renewed for a sixth season, with production involving a shift in location to London.

Who is the creator of the show?

The series was created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman.

Can the show be watched without having seen every previous episode?

While each season focuses on a new murder, the character arcs and secondary mysteries are continuous. It is highly recommended to watch the episodes in order to understand the evolving relationship between Charles, Oliver, and Mabel.

What is the name of the apartment building in the show?

The primary setting for the first five seasons is the Arconia, a fictional luxury apartment building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.