Warning: This article contains spoilers from Only Murders in the Building season 4, episode 4, “The Stunt Man.”
Only Murders in the Buildingshowrunner John Hoffman addresses Paul Rudd’s surprising return in episode 4. Rudd made his series debut in the season 2 finale as actor Ben Glenroy, and Ben’s death was the overarching mystery of season 3. When Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) go to a bar for stunt workers called Concussions inOnly Murders in the Buildingseason 4, they are surprised to encounter a man who looks strikingly similar to the deceased Ben.
While speaking withTheWrap,Hoffman explained why Rudd returned to the series, this time as Ben’s Irish stunt double, Glenn Stubbins. He also shared that Rudd improvised the portion of the eulogy to Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch) when talking about Steve-O and Lucky Charms. Hoffman even decided to cut out part of what was written in the script to instead include Rudd’s improvisation, which he felt worked better within the scene. Check out Hoffman’s comments below:
I love Paul Rudd and Paul Rudd loves being on the show and we’re doing a season about stunt doubles. We had a season last year where Ben Glenroy died, and who was Ben Glenroy’s stunt double is not an unfathomable question. And we have dopplegängers all throughout the season. It just was like, “Oh, my God, that’s how we bring him back!” All of that paralleling with Charles and Sazz felt sweet and right, and a beautiful opportunity for Paul to come back. And there’s a lot going on with that character beyond this episode. There’s more to come.
What Paul Rudd’s Return Means For Only Murders In The Building Season 4
This Is Only The Beginning For Glenn Stubbins
The importance of Rudd’s new character, Glenn, goes beyond one episodeas he knew Sazz and has already helped give the trio access to the close-knit stunt double community. As the investigation into Sazz’s death continues, Glenn being a stunt double who knew Sazz may make him the key to unlocking more secrets. He has also been set up to reappear in future episodes due to the trio promising him work on the Hollywood movie being made about them, a promise he will surely follow up on given how desperate he was to secure the job.
Glenn is a creative way to continue giving Rudd an active presence in the series despite Ben’s deathand the case around Ben’s demise having already been solved inOnly Murders in the Building’s season 3 ending. Rudd now has the distinction of appearing in every season of the series so far other than season 1. While his role is not quite as central as it was in season 3, he remains important to the story, and even though he has been seemingly helpful so far, he could have more nefarious intentions.
Our Take On Paul Rudd’s New Character
This Was The Perfect Way To Bring The Actor Back
Rudd’s humorous new character isa testament toOnly Murders in the Building’s ability to make each season feel refreshing and excitingwhile still honoring past seasons. Glenn does not undermine anything that happened to Ben and becomes a natural way to give Charles, Oliver, and Mabel a closer look at the stunt double world and how it may pertain towho killed Sazz. While I do not expect Glenn to be a series regular, I am relieved and intrigued that he will continue to play an important role beyond hisOnly Murders in the Buildingdebut.
Only Murders in the Building
Cast
Only Murders in the Building is a mystery-comedy series following three strangers, portrayed by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, who bond over their shared obsession with true crime. Set in a Manhattan apartment building, the trio becomes embroiled in a real murder mystery within their residence.
