Warning! This article contains spoilers for Only Murders in the Building season 3, episodes 1 and 2.
Summary
Ben's alleged demise in season 2 was a misinterpretation; he indeed manages to persist, albeit meets his ultimate demise in episode 1 of season 3.
Multiple characters in "Death Rattle," namely Bobo, Jonathan, Ty, Kimber, Donna, and Cliff, harbor motives to eliminate Ben.
The person most likely to have killed Ben is Dickie, his manager and brother, given their strained relationship and Dickie's potential motives.
Season 3 of Only Murders in the Building begins by investigating the murder of Ben Glenroy. Episodes 1 and 2 present several strong suspects for the murder. In the finale of Season 2, it appeared that Ben, played by Paul Rudd, had died, but Season 3, Episode 1 reveals that his apparent death on a Broadway stage was a misunderstanding. Ben actually survived; he had fainted due to something he had eaten earlier, and the blood around his mouth was from biting his tongue as he fell.
9 Bobo
The first episode of season 3 of Only Murders in the Building concludes with Ben's actual demise occurring after he falls down a broken elevator shaft in the Arconia building. The three main characters of the show - Mabel, Charles, and Oliver - were present at the crime scene, setting the stage for another season filled with twists and turns as they strive to uncover the identity of Ben's murderer. Over the course of the first two episodes of Only Murders in the Building season 3, several suspects are introduced, each with their own potential motives for wanting Ben to meet his demise. Here, we rank each suspect based on the likelihood of them being responsible for the death of the show's leading man, played by Rudd.
Bobo, one of the characters in Oliver's "Death Rattle" production and a suspect in Ben's murder, is considered the least likely culprit. However, the events in episode 1 of Only Murders in the Building season 3 offer enough evidence to include Bobo on the list of suspects. Ben addresses the new additions to the show's cast, including Bobo, after his staged death and prior to his actual demise in the Arconia. Despite acknowledging Bobo's comedic nature, Ben always rejects him.
The show does not reveal the specific situations to which Ben is referring, but it is evident that Bobo has frequently faced rejection from Ben throughout their time working together on Oliver's play. While it could be argued that Ben's constant rejection could be a possible motive for Bobo to murder him, it appears unlikely, based on the events of Only Murders in the Building season 3, episodes 1 and 2, that Bobo is capable of committing the murder depicted in the show's third episode. Therefore, despite a potential, yet undeveloped motive, Bobo is considered the least likely character to be responsible for Ben's death.
8 Jonathan
Another individual, Jonathan, emerges as a potential suspect, as implausible as Bobo. Introduced in season 2 of Only Murders in the Building, Jonathan is a resident of the Arconia who captivates Howard's heart. However, it is in episode 1 of season 3, during the climactic conclusion, that Jonathan's connection to Ben is revealed—he is Ben's understudy in the play "Death Rattle." Ben confesses that initially, he vehemently opposed the idea of Jonathan ever setting foot on stage, but his stance may be undergoing a change.
Jonathan's alleged motive for killing Ben is his desire to be in the Broadway spotlight. However, this seems unlikely, especially considering that Jonathan was deliberately portrayed as a red herring in Only Murders in the Building season 2. The actual killer, Poppy, was unexpectedly revealed to have sneezed while escaping Mabel's apartment due to her allergy to Bunny's bird, Mrs. Gambolini. Interestingly, Jonathan was also seen sneezing in the same episode, but his sneezing was explained by his allergy to Howard's cat, making him a prime suspect.
Given the unexpected twist that Poppy was the killer in Bunny Folger's case, it seems highly improbable that Jonathan also killed Ben in Only Murders in the Building season 3. While making a red herring from a previous season become the actual killer can certainly defy expectations, Jonathan has never exhibited the characteristics of a murderer. The alleged motive established in Only Murders in the Building season 3 is not compelling enough to prove otherwise, although future episodes could change that with further character development.
7 Ty
One of the cast members in Oliver's production of "Death Rattle" is Ty, a new addition to Only Murders in the Building season 3. In a scene at Oliver's apartment, after Ben's return, Paul Rudd's character addresses Ty, expressing surprise that he can afford him and offering to share his personal trainer's contact information. This interaction reveals Ben's dismissive attitude towards Ty, treating him no differently than the other cast members. Compared to the other suspects in Ben's murder, Ty remains the most mysterious among the core cast members of "Death Rattle."
The relationship between Ty and Ben appears to be a mix of rivalry and bitter jealousy, with Ben not wanting Ty to have any contact with his personal trainer and making snide remarks about Ty's good looks. This suggests that Ty's character could be further developed in Only Murders in the Building season 3, potentially positioning him as the prime suspect in Ben Glenroy's murder.
6 Gregg
In episode 2 of Only Murders in the Building season 3, it is revealed that Gregg, a devoted fan of Ben's, kidnaps Mabel and Charles. Gregg believes that they are responsible for Ben's death and plans to kill them in retaliation, driven by his love for Ben. However, Gregg is later arrested when a witness reports seeing him fleeing the Arconia shortly after Ben's murder. The fan confesses that he was snooping around Ben's apartment that night. Gregg's arrest establishes him as the first potential suspect, creating a red herring in the third season of Only Murders in the Building.
Despite being a red herring, the details surrounding Gregg's character position him as the sixth most likely suspect on this list of Ben's potential killers. His ability to successfully kidnap Mabel and Charles demonstrates his criminal skills, while his evident affection for Ben is established. In many murder mysteries, the line between love and hate is often blurred, suggesting that Gregg may have become enraged if Ben rejected him, driving him to commit the murder. However, despite having a strong motive, Gregg's love for Ben and his accusations against Charles and Mabel eliminate him as the primary suspect.
5 Kimber
Ben's co-star in "Death Rattle," Kimber, immediately caught his attention and they flirted with each other upon their first meeting. In the final scene of season 3, episode 1 of "Only Murders in the Building," Ben visits Oliver's apartment and apologizes to Kimber for causing complications in their relationship. He admits to making mistakes but assures her that he will fix things. This suggests that there was some kind of romantic involvement between them during the production of "Death Rattle," as implied by their flirtatious introduction.
Similar to Gregg, love often serves as a significant motive behind numerous murders. As the third season of "Only Murders in the Building" delves deeper into Kimber and Ben's relationship, it becomes apparent that Kimber may have a desire to harm Ben. There is limited information available about Kimber and her connection with Ben, indicating that this aspect will likely be explored further in the future. Consequently, Kimber cannot be ruled out as a potential suspect in Ben's murder, especially considering their romantic involvement.
4 Donna & Cliff Demeo
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Oliver's producers Donna and Cliff Demeo are an inseparable duo in Only Murders in the Building season 3, making them prime suspects on Ben's list. Donna, who is Cliff's mother, is credited as the supervisor for the producer of "Death Rattle," Cliff. The two characters share a close and unsettling relationship, as depicted in a scene where they share a kiss. Additionally, both Donna and Cliff have a strained rapport with Ben.
In episode 1 of Only Murders in the Building season 3, it is revealed that Ben, the actor, is quite challenging to work with. He makes numerous demands to his producers, including requesting a larger dressing room. Furthermore, Ben consistently disrespects Cliff by addressing him as "boy," despite Cliff's efforts to correct him. These factors suggest that Cliff may be driven to murder Ben, potentially involving Donna due to her unwavering loyalty to her son.
3 Tobert
Tobert, portrayed by Jesse Williams, is a character with a limited appearance in Only Murders in the Building season 3, episodes 1 and 2. Despite this, he surprisingly ranks as the third-most likely suspect in Ben's murder. Several factors contribute to Tobert being a key suspect in Ben's death. Firstly, Jesse Williams' established Hollywood career in shows like Grey's Anatomy contrasts with his brief role in Only Murders in the Building, suggesting a potential recurring role.
Moreover, Tobert is introduced as the documentarian for Ben's "Death Rattle" project, meaning he is consistently present for filming and witnesses Ben's every move. This close proximity implies that Tobert's character will be further explored, possibly exposing motives for murder. It is plausible that Tobert discovers something unfavorable about Ben or reveals that Ben mistreats him, mirroring his treatment of others. These compelling factors make Tobert one of the primary suspects in Only Murders in the Building season 3, warranting close attention.
2 Loretta
Loretta, portrayed by the esteemed actress Meryl Streep, shares striking similarities with Tobert in Only Murders in the Building season 3, albeit on a much grander scale. Firstly, Loretta's distinguished career and multiple Academy Award nominations further elevate her status. Secondly, her prominent role as the leading lady in "Death Rattle" entails significant interaction with Ben during filming. These two factors, akin to Tobert's situation, make Loretta a prime suspect, given her ongoing relevance to the show's narrative.
Moreover, Loretta's relationship with Ben stands out from that of everyone else. While Ben endeavors to reconcile with others following his presumed demise (prior to his actual death), he neglects to extend the same effort towards Loretta. Ben explicitly declares that "Cobro knows a snake when he sees one," leading to Loretta expressing her clear dislike for him before departing. It is evident that Loretta and Ben's perspectives are at odds more than anyone else's. Consequently, Loretta emerges as a highly probable candidate for Ben Glenroy's murder in Only Murders in the Building season 3.
1 Dickie
Despite the extensive list of suspects with potential motives for Ben Glenroy's murder, the strongest candidate for Paul Rudd's character's killer in Only Murders in the Building season 3, episodes 1 and 2 is Dickie. Dickie, who serves as Ben's manager and also happens to be his brother, exhibits several indicators throughout the episodes that he may be responsible for Ben's death. The most apparent clue lies in the strained relationship between Ben and Dickie. From their initial introduction, Ben blames Dickie for their tardiness to the table read, openly expressing doubts about Dickie's managerial abilities and insinuating that nepotism played a role in his appointment.
Similar to Tobert and Loretta, Dickie's association with Only Murders in the Building season 3 ensures his close proximity to Ben. As his manager, Dickie gains access to both the unsavory aspects of the show business world and the intimate family dynamics. Consequently, Dickie possesses a deeper knowledge of Ben's personality and a greater number of potential motives than any other character. While concrete evidence for any suspect remains elusive at this point, the evidence presented in Only Murders in the Building season 3, episodes 1 and 2 overwhelmingly points to Dickie as the prime suspect.
New episodes of Only Murders in the Building release every Tuesday on Hulu.