The fifth season of the popular crime comedy, Only Murders in the Building, is upon us. The trio of true-crime podcasters, semi-retired actor Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), struggling Broadway director Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), and young artist Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez), are again investigating a murder at their posh apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the Arconia.
The Arconia has its roster of eccentrics including the cat-loving Howard (Michael Cyril Creighton) who got himself a dog, Gravey, last season.
All alone with technology
“Howard is at peak loneliness,” Michael says over a video call from Los Angeles. “His boyfriend is out of town. His pets have bonded with each other, leaving him out, and he’s not getting the attention he thinks he deserves from the trio. So he does what most lonely men do, and finds comfort in technology.”
It is extremely rewarding to be in the show, says Michael. “People disappear from the building left and right, whether they’re murdered or move on to other things. So the fact that the creators and writers saw something in Howard that they wanted to explore is such a dream as an actor.”
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Learning more
Taking pleasure in the fact that he learns more about Howard every season, Michael says, “I’m constantly surprised by what the writers give him as material. This season, we learn about his past and his relationship with his mother. I love that he’s never the same. Every season he’s looking for something different. At his core, he’s lonely and he wants community.”
Mum’s the word
The hardest part about keeping the secrets in Only Murders in the Building is that there are such good secrets in the show, Michael says laughing. “They always surprise me as an actor, but I’m also a fan of the show, so I don’t like to know things until the scripts come out. Every time I get a script, I’m surprised, delighted and excited by all the little secrets, and twists and turns.”
Michael Cyril Creighton in Only Murders in the Building (Disney/Patrick Harbron)
| Photo Credit:
Patrick Harbron
It is hard not to talk about them, Michael says. “I would love to share them, but it’ll be so much more satisfying if people wait till the end to know exactly what’s going on.”
Keeping it fresh
Insisting he could play Howard for the rest of his life, Michael says, “The inventive writing and the fact that they throw so many challenges every season, keeps it fresh and exciting. At the core, Howard is always the same. The way he goes about his challenges are different each season — be it through yodelling in Season Two, theatre in Season Three, or documentary filmmaking in Season Four and technology this season.”
ALSO READ: ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 2 review: A breathtaking, riotous ride
Unconditional love
Howard’s relationship with his cat, Sevelyn and dog, Gravey, adds warmth to the narrative. “I am going to start crying! I have a dog named Sharon, who I love so much. Animals are different, their love is unconditional. They are always happy to see you. You don’t have to worry if you’re being awkward around an animal, because they love you either way.”
Howard craves the unwavering love that he gets from animals. Michael says. “It’s my favourite part of him. Howard is so prickly and gossipy. He has some qualities that aren’t fantastic, but at his core, he’s an animal lover. He’s gentle and sweet, and that is something I hold on to, even when he’s being a little nasty.”
Moments on set that make him laugh uncontrollably are frequent, Michael says. “I don’t know if I can pinpoint one, but anytime I’m doing a scene with Martin Short or, watching Steve Martin do physical comedy (he does an amazing bit in the first episode of season five related to a coffin), it makes me laugh. That was one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time.”
The show has an eclectic ensemble. Michael says he loves working with Jackie Hoffman, who plays the crabby Arconia resident, Uma. “We have a good amount of scenes together, but I can’t get enough of her. I’ve known her for over 20 years. She’s one of the funniest actors in New York. I obviously would love a little screen time with Meryl Streep, the queen of all queens,” Michael says, laughing.
The set is amazing, Michael says. “There’s always a fantastic actor in front of you in every scene. So even if I’m not working with them directly, I get to watch them perform, and that is also extremely satisfying. Oh, I’d love to work with Da’Vine Joy Randolph (who plays Detective Donna Williams) as well. We haven’t had any scenes together, and I think she’s terrific.”
Michael Cyril Creighton in Only Murders in the Building (Disney/Patrick Harbron)
MICHAEL CYRIL CREIGHTON
| Photo Credit:
Patrick Harbron
Howard knows a lot about his neighbours. If he had to pick one secret, Michael says, it would be that Howard knows his neighbours’ email password. “Let’s just say that’s what he knows. He’s that smart.”
Only Murders in the Building Season 5 streams on JioHotstar with a three-episode premiere on September 9 and weekly episode drops till October 28
Published – September 08, 2025 07:33 pm IST
