Only Murders in the Building Season 3 revolves around the death of Ben Glenroy, but who were the possible suspects?
*WARNING: Spoilers ahead for Only Murders in the Building season 3* — Ever since it arrived on Hulu and Disney+ in 2021, Only Murders in the Building has delivered some enthralling murder mysteries but the death of Ben Glenroy in season 3 appears to be the most perplexing case yet.
Ben Glenroy’s death in Only Murders in the Building season 3
As teased in the cliffhanger ending of season 2, Only Murders in the Building’s third season is set to revolve around the death of Ben Glenrory, a Hollywood superstar played by Paul Rudd who is making his Broadway debut in the play Death Rattle, Oliver’s long-awaited return to directing.
However, nothing is ever straightforward on this show and that’s especially the case for Ben’s death.
While the actor initially collapses on-stage and is pronounced dead by the paramedics, that isn’t the last we see of him as Ben makes a sudden reappearance at the opening night party/wake after being revived at the hospital.
But moments after returning alive and well, Ben dies for the second time in one night after falling or being pushed down one of the Arconia’s faulty elevator shafts.
Only Murders in the Building: The main suspects that could have murdered Ben
In the initial aftermath of Ben’s death, there aren’t many clearcut suspects who would have the means, motive and opportunity to kill him.
Loretta is the most probable suspect, played by Meryl Steep.
Even from the play’s first table-read She and Ben have not gotten along and upon his return from the dead, the pair throw insults at each other in front of the entire cast and crew.
What makes Loretta increasingly suspicious is that she leaves the party moments after Ben and the next time we see him, he’s dead – for real this time.
However, as Loretta is the most obvious choice so far, you could argue that makes her the least likely suspect as the show’s writers will likely want to surprise viewers with a dramatic twist come the final episodes.
Howard Morris, in our view, is the next most probable suspect.
The Arconia resident reveals that he auditioned for Oliver’s play but had to settle to be his assistant instead and on top of that, we also learn that his boyfriend, Jonathan, is Ben’s understudy.
Our theory surrounding Howard rests on the fact he could be jealous that he wasn’t cast in the play and tried to have Ben killed so that he, or at the very least Jonathan, could have a role in the production.
The fact that Howard’s actor Michael Cyril Creighton has been promoted to a regular cast spot, as opposed to a recurring role, in season 3 also suggests he has a much bigger part to play.
A possible third option could be that Ben’s death has been staged – twice. This theory relates to Ben’s documentary on his Broadway debut. His death could have been a marketing stunt in order to get more viewers.
Still to be Investigated
Ben in Only Murders in the Building could have been killed by any of the Death Rattle actors and crew.
That’s because the biggest clue we have surrounding Ben’s second death is that he was clutching a commemorative Death Rattle handkerchief he had given to every member of the production as an opening night gift.
It is possible that the actors Kimber, Ty and Bobo of Emily in Paris as well as stage manager Allison Guinn could all be suspected.
Ben, when he does appear at the Opening Night Party, apologizes for previous falling outs with each of the members of the cast. This suggests that they could all have motives to kill Ben.
This also includes the show’s producers Donna (Linda Emond) and Cliff (Wesley Taylor).
Someone who is by Ben’s side at all times is his brother and manager, Dickie (Jeremy Shamos), and it’s clear to see that the pair have a strained relationship, could Dickie have snapped?
And finally, the last new arrival we’ve yet to mention is Tobert (Jesse Willaims), the cameraman hidden in plain sight who is filming the documentary. Over the course of the play’s pre-production, the cast would have become used to Tobert’s presence and begun to ignore him, giving him the perfect opportunity to go wherever he pleased without being noticed.
One potential tease we spotted at the opening night party is a banner in Oliver’s apartment that has the tagline “We killed ‘em.” It’s probably nothing more than a bit of innocent set decoration, but could it be a hint that multiple people were behind Ben’s death? We’ll have to keep watching to find out.
Hulu is now streaming Only Murders in the Building Season 3 In the US Disney+ Worldwide The film will premiere Tuesday, 8 August 2023.
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