Meryl Streep Was John Hoffman’s First Choice to Play Martin Short’s Love Interest in Only Murders in the Building

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As an ardent fan, I find myself utterly captivated by the intriguing behind-the-scenes tales of “Only Murders in the Building.” John Hoffman, one of its brilliant creators, has weaved a magical spell that not only entertains us on screen but also enchants us with his impeccable storytelling prowess.

John Hoffman, co-creator of Only Murders in the Building, found himself speaking with Meryl Streep over Zoom for her role in the show, and he felt an intense surge of adrenaline, as if his blood was flowing like molten lava, threatening to explode his skull. It might have appeared serendipitous to Martin Short that she joined the cast as his character’s love interest, but John had meticulously planned this from the very start.

75-year-old Streep stars as Loretta Durkin in season 3. Hoffman, co-creator of the hit murder mystery comedy alongside Steve Martin, envisioned Loreeta Durkin (played by Streep) as a renowned Broadway actress who finds herself romantically entangled with Oliver Putnam, played by Martin. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hoffman expressed his desire for Oliver to be in a complicated and uncertain romantic predicament with the female lead of his musical from the very beginning.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d share that in my discussions with the show’s executive producers, Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal, it was clear to me that Meryl Streep is the ideal choice to bring the character to life. Her talent and versatility make her the perfect fit for this role.

Initially, many thought Meryl Streep might not suit this part convincingly, but Hoffman was certain she was ideal. Surprisingly, his wish for Meryl to join the project turned out to be true. He shared that a week later, the producers informed him that Meryl was on board if he had a suitable role for her. When they asked Hoffman if there was anything suitable, he responded with an exclamation, “And I was like, ‘Oh, wow!'” or simply “And I was thrilled.”

During their Zoom meeting with Streep, Hoffman found himself under some tension as they delved into discussing the character’s initial scene, which was a flashback depicting a young girl and her mother going on vacation to New York City to watch No Strings on Broadway. Interestingly enough, Hoffman shared that he too had made this trip with his mom, and he started humming a piece of the song.

In this unexpected instance, Hoffman burst out in delight, finding himself utterly bewildered by the events unfolding before him. He exclaimed, “Meryl, halt! I fear my mind might implode!” He went on to explain how Streep sang the exact tune as written on page one of the script he’d prepared for her.

During the interview, he explained that the storyline of Martin’s character developing a romance was already established prior to their decision to bring in Meryl Streep, who, in turn, was unaware of these details.

In a conversation with Bill Maher’s podcast in January, Short made it clear that they shared a strong friendship rather than any romantic involvement.

Martin Short has consistently praised Meryl Streep for her exceptional personality that’s well-known, and it’s been announced that she will rejoin the cast of Only Murders In The Building alongside Selena Gomez for season 4, set to premiere on August 27th on Hulu.

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2024-08-14 12:55