Charles, Oliver, and Mabel were in a pickle in the second season of Only Murders in the Building, which concluded with a shocking reveal of the killer. But before the truth was known, the trio was suspected for the murder of Bunny and were desperate to clear their names. With very little to go on, they questioned just about everyone and everything.
Along with returning supporting characters from season 1 like Nathan Lane as Teddy and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Detective Williams, there were plenty of new guest stars, too. Some of these characters were only seen once or twice, a few even for just a short scene or two. Nonetheless, the list of guest stars in season 2 includes some big names and recognizable faces.
Andrea Martin (Joy)
Andrea Martin is a comedic icon, but the only reason she ranks so low is that her scenes were very short. She is introduced to Oliver and Mabel as Charles’ long-time make-up artist from Brazzos, who he called back in to work with him for the sequel series.
It’s clear there has always been chemistry between the two and Charles finally makes a move in the end. Fans were delighted that the one-year flash forward suggested they were still together given that she came across as the perfect match for Charles and someone who would fit right in with the group.
Amy Schumer (As Herself)
Amy Schumer played a hilarious exaggerated version of herself, a fan of the podcast who, after running into Oliver in the building’s elevator, discusses the potential for buying the podcast and turning it into a series or movie.
She has Oliver over to her new apartment, which she purchased from Sting (one of the guest stars from season 1), and they talk about her plans. One of the things to remember from season 1 of Only Murders in the Building is that Jan was the murderer. Schumer is excited to get in full character and set herself up to play Jan. Her direct nature and eccentric behavior had fans in stitches, even if she only appeared in a single episode.
Sazz (Jane Lynch)
Returning to reprise her role as Charles former body double from his television days, Jane Lynch continued to perfectly capture the dedication of an obsessed method actor whose character isn’t even her own. But she puts her all into it, including the scene when Charles uses her dedication to his advantage by sending Sazz to jail to break up with Jan for him.
She’s all too happy to do it, fully embracing her role as Charles, as his character Brazzos. While she’s only in a few short scenes, Lynch manages to steal each one.
Jan (Amy Ryan)
Returning for a few short scenes, it appears Jan still has a hold on Charles, even from behind bars. He sparks up a relationship with her through the phone at home and in jail, completely trying to ignore the fact that she once tried to kill him.
Thanks to Mabel and Oliver, as well as Lucy, Charles snaps out of the desire for companionship clouding his judgement. But it’s Jan’s convincing tone combined with terrifyingly creepy glazes and delivery that have fans wishing they’d see more of Jan through the season.
Cara Delevingne (Alice)
A character considered one of the most likely to be the murderer in season 2 of Only Murders in the Building early on in the season, Cara Delevingne’s Alice seemingly came out of nowhere. Her reaching out to Mabel seemed all too convenient and contrived. It was as though she was waiting for an incident to happen so that she could have a reason to contact Mabel.
Delevingne played the mysterious nature of the character beautifully, keeping fans consistently guessing whether she was good news or bad, genuine or not.
Paul Rudd (Ben Glenroy)
Appearing in just the final minutes of the last episode, Paul Rudd plays a pompous theater actor named Ben Glenroy. His character has some friction with Charles, leading fans to infer from their conversation two key things: Ben may be dating or interested in Lucy and Charles knows a secret about something bad that Ben did.
Whatever the case, Rudd brings his usual dash of charm and humor to the minor role that has fans floored when he winds up dead. Given that his character’s death will presumably be the center of the story for season 3, fans hope to see more of Rudd in flashbacks.
Zoe Colletti (Lucy)
Lucy adds a fun, new dimension to the show as Charles sort-of stepdaughter, the daughter of his former girlfriend who left him heartbroken when she suddenly abandoned him. Her presence gives fans another perspective on Charles, who held a deep love for the child, even though she wasn’t biologically his and was only in his life for a short period of time. Even after the passage of many years, he still cared deeply for her, and she remembered him as the best step-father ever in her life.
But she was critical to the story as well, revealing details of the secret passageway in the building and her first interaction with the killer. Lucy also had a fun dynamic with the trio, as the “new generation” kid who made even Mabel feel old. Colletti made Lucy a believable, conflicted teenager.
Tina Fey (Cinda Canning)
Returning for the second season as one of the guest actors confirmed to appear on Only Murders In The Building season 2, From the beginning, the signs were pointing to Cinda being the murderer given her rivalry with the trio behind the Only Murders in the Building podcast and her desire to dominate the true crime podcast world.
Beyond the whodunit finger-pointing, Fey’s always hilarious delivery sold the character as an arrogant woman obsessed with being the best. Fey’s ridiculously over-the-top reactions and comments, like asking Poppy to get her a turkey sandwich that was really just a piece of turkey on tinfoil with bread on the side, or her intense fear of seeing things in slow motion, were a welcome addition to the show.
Michael Rappaport (Detective Kreps)
Michael Rappaport always brings humor to any project he’s involved in, from Atypical to Friends, My Name is Earl, and Justified. This was the case with his role on the show.
He goes from tough detective interrogating Mabel to someone who has many more layers than anyone realized. The back and forth between him and Mabel was hilarious, with Rappaport using his typical crass, foul-mouthed style and Mabel delivering clever retorts. He was the perfect actor to play the role.
Shirley MacLaine (Leonora Folger)
The iconic Shirley MacLaine appears as Bunny’s elderly mother, a surly woman much like her daughter who, it is revealed, was also having an affair with Charles’ father. She was among the most likable season 2 suspects on Only Murders in the Building, though her name was cleared when her true identity was revealed.
Leonora is adorable, hilarious, and frank when she speaks with Charles. Her story about having an affair with his father, Rose’s (supposed) murder, and buying the painting to help Rose out of a jam all played into the story in the end. And the touching story could not have been pulled off as well by anyone by MacLaine.