Nia Vardalos stars as “Toula” in writer/director Nia Vardalos’ ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,’ a Focus Features release. Courtesy of Yannis Drakoulidis / Focus Features.
In theaters now, ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’ is like the local Greek fast-food chain –– it offers up a similar menu of chaotic, squabbling family members, some emotional moments and jokes about culture clashes, which will appeal to fans of the first two.
Whether it’ll be able to replicate the huge success of the first (the sequel, while it made money, certainly wasn’t) is a bigger question. Will audiences feel a little overstuffed at the thought of more time spent with Toula (Nia Vardalos) and her clan?
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What’s the story of ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’?
(L to R) Nia Vardalos stars as Toula and John Corbett stars as Ian in director Nia Vardalos’ ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,’ a Focus Features release. Courtesy of Yannis Drakoulidis / Focus Features.
The Portokalos family has been sent an invitation to participate in a reunion for all the families who have moved away from the village their father came from. It was sent to them by Victory (Melina Kotselou), the extremely passionate town mayor.
Before he passed away, Toula’s father, Gus, asked her to go to the reunion and meet his old friends to pass on a journal he had kept of his life story. To honor his memory, the Portokalos family wants to see where their dad grew up.
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Who else is in ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’?
(L to R) Andrea Martin stars as “Aunt Voula” and Maria Vacratsis stars as “Aunt Frieda” in writer/director Nia Vardalos’ ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features.
(L to R) Elena Kampouris as Paris, Elias Kacavas as Aristotle, Andrea Martin as Aunt Voula, Nia Vardalos as Toula, Louis Mandylor as Nick, and John Corbett as Ian in director Nia Vardalos’ ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,’ a Focus Features release. Courtesy of Yannis Drakoulidis / Focus Features.
Familiarity, as the old saying goes, breeds contempt. And after two movies we are pretty familiar with Nia Vardalos’ squabbling, velcro assortment of family stereotypes. While her first effort, 2002’s ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ scored big with audiences around the world, feelings had cooled by the time the first sequel danced down cinema aisles in 2016. On the evidence of the third, it’s fair to speculate that for many, those feelings will have congealed like day-old moussaka.
Vardalos was always at the core of the movies, starring and writing the script (the concept is, after all, based on her life, her family, her (now-ex) husband and the one-woman show she grew from it. Now she adds directing to the mix, and unfortunately the film suffers for it. Which is a shame, since she has helmed before with ‘ I hate Valentine’s Day’.
Here, though, the final cut feels like the film’s data was corrupted in one of the post-production computers, forcing Vardalos and her editors to piece together a rough assembly of scenes to tell the story. What remains is a more a collection of moments that hang loosely together, scenes sometimes just ending rather than coming to a natural conclusion, storylines that should wrap up with real emotion instead untidily shut down.
(L to R) Actor/director Nia Vardalos and actor John Corbett on the set of ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,’ a Focus Features release. Courtesy of Yannis Drakoulidis / Focus Features.
The basic story, of the Portokalos family heading to Greece for the first time since late patriarch Gus (Michael Constantine, who appeared in the previous two outings but died before this one was shot) moved to America decades before, meanders like a donkey slowly climbing a hill. Both blandly empty and somehow overfilled, the narrative has subplots that rarely serve to hold the attention.
Worse, the wacky antics of the various family members feels more insufferable than charming this time around, unfunny bits of comic business repeated over and over, such as the gag about finding the Greek root of every word. “We know, we’re Greek” sighs one new character, and the audience, who will likely have heard many variants on it for two movies already, will nod their heads in pained empathy.
And the tone is all over the place, the comedy coming to a screeching halt as “emotional” music plays on the soundtrack whenever the story confronts either the loss of Gus or the fact that his wife, Toula’s mother Maria (Lainie Kazan) is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Even attempts to make light of the latter subject fall flat.
Are there reasons to celebrate?
(L to R) Nia Vardalos stars as “Toula” and John Corbett stars as “Ian” in writer/director Nia Vardalos’ ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,’ a Focus Features release. Courtesy of Yannis Drakoulidis / Focus Features.
If you’ve ever wanted to visit Greece or needed an excuse to look at some beautiful countryside, the movie at least has you covered on that front. Sprawling hillsides with small villages and sparkling blue seas make some shots look like the Greek Tourist Board coughed up some cash to help get the movie made.
On the acting front, it’s just another reason to say thank goodness for Andrea Martin, who as Aunt Voula never found a gag she couldn’t make work. She’s the sole reason for the movie containing any genuine chuckles at all, and while the character is used sparingly, it’s better whenever she’s around, bringing lines to life. Corbett, meanwhile, though he’s just as stuck in the repetitive plot patterns, at least has easygoing charm on his side.
(L to R) Gia Carides stars as “Nikki” and Joey Fatone stars as “Angelo” in writer/director Nia Vardalos’ ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,’ a Focus Features release. Courtesy of Yannis Drakoulidis / Focus Features.
Otherwise, the returning veterans and the new faces mostly just go through the motions, spouting lines that almost become catchphrases.
Vardalos has tried extending the ‘Greek Wedding’ format before, and the result was TV spin-off ‘My Big Fat Greek Life’, which aired for all of seven episodes. Perhaps that should have been a warning that there’s only so much “life” in these family stories.
One or two sweet moments and the few jokes that actually land are not enough for us to recommend saying “I do” to this one. Watch the first one again instead with a poster of Greece on the wall.
‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’ receives 5 out of 10 stars.
(L to R) John Corbett as Ian, Maria Vacratsis as Aunt Frieda, Melina Kotselou as Victory, Nia Vardalos as Toula, Elena Kampouris as Paris, Andrea Martin as Aunt Voula, and Elias Kacavas as Aristotle in director Nia Vardalos’ ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,’ a Focus Features release. Courtesy of Yannis Drakoulidis / Focus Features.
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Premiering August 8th on Hulu is the third season of the popular series ‘Only Murders in the Building,’ which was co-created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, and nominated for 12 Emmys including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series at the upcoming ceremony that is scheduled to take place on January 15th, 2024.
(L to R) Selena Gomez, Shirley MacLaine, Director John Hoffman, Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Amy Schumer on the set of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ season 2. Photo: Barbara Nitke/Hulu.
SOME SPOILERS FOR ‘ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING’ SEASON 1 AND 2 BELOW!
‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 1 and 2 Recap
(L to R) Charles (Steve Martin), Mabel (Selena Gomez) and Oliver (Martin Short) on Hulu’s ‘Only Murders In The Building’. Photo: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
The series follows three amateur sleuths –– actor Charles-Haden Savage (Martin), who spent years on a low-rent police show and still dines out on his minor fame, down-on-his-luck, flamboyant theatre director Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez), a young artist whose life suddenly becomes intertwined with Charles and Oliver’s when a former friend and fellow resident of grand New York apartment building the Arconia is found murdered.
The three also bond over their shared love of a true crime podcast called ‘All is not OK in Oklahoma’, and quickly decide to launch their own as they dig into the truth behind Tim’s death. As they work their way through the suspects (including the variety of quirky occupants of the building), they learn that the real killer is Jan (Amy Ryan), a musician who Charles has been dating.
Season 1 ends with cranky building head chief Bunny Folger (Jayne Houdyshell) dead in Mabel’s apartment, with Mabel framed for her murder. The second season is dedicated to Charles, Oliver and Mabel figuring out what really happened with Bunny, and how a mysterious painting factors in.
It also features more from Cinda Canning (Tina Fey), the driven, arrogant creator of ‘All Is Not OK in Oklahoma’ as she seeks to find a compelling follow-up to her hit series. Our heroes initially think that Cinda, and then artist Alice Banks (Cara Delevingne), whom Mabel briefly dated, might be the killer, but it is revealed to be Cinda’s overworked assistant Poppy White (Adina Version), who was actually the not-so-dead subject matter of ‘All is not OK’ and yearns to have a podcast of her own.
What is the plot of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 3?
(L to R) Paul Rudd as Ben in season 3 of ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Photo by: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
At the end of Season 2, we jump a year forward, to the opening night of Oliver’s new play, ‘Death Rattle’. Its leading man, the annoying, smug Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd), who clearly has no love for Charles, also starring in the production, collapses dead on stage.
It’s revealed later in the initial episode that Ben is not actually dead but had a medical condition, and he promises to be a changed man, ready to make amends for his bad behavior during the play’s initial stages. He doesn’t get long to do that, though, as he’s pushed into an elevator shaft at the Arconia, landing on the car containing Charles, Oliver and Mabel. And so, another murder mystery is set in motion. Season 3 will also feature Oscar-winner Meryl Streep as Loretta Durkin, a struggling actress and Oliver’s love interest, who plays a small role in his Broadway show.
Meryl Streep as Loretta in Hulu’s ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Photo by: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director, executive producer and series co-creator John Hoffman about his Emmy nominated work on season 2 of ‘Only Murders in the Building,’ creating the series with Steve Martin, setting up the mysteries, lessons he’s learned between seasons, improvisation on set, the lead actors’ chemistry, the show’s attraction to big name guest stars, and a little tease of season 3.
(L to R) Tina Fey and Director John Hoffman on the set of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ season 2. Photo: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch the interview.
Moviefone: To begin with, congratulations on the show’s 12 Emmy nominations for season 2. How does it feel to get so much Emmy love?
John Hoffman: I’m feeling very good, honored, relieved, all of the above. It’s been quite a ride with this show and the fact that for season two, dropping a year after our first season aired, to be recognized in this group of incredible shows, it’s rare air. So I am thrilled.
MF: Season 3 begins on August 8th, are you excited for fans to see the next chapter?
JH: I’m very excited for people to see what’s coming. We’ve got a good back half too. I promise you.
Steve Martin as Charles in season 3 of ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Photo: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
MF: Can you talk about creating the series with Steve Martin? Was it always designed to be a comedic murder mystery?
JH: It began from the plucky mind of Steve Martin, and it was very much his notion. He’s a real fan and has a real interest in the world of crime and mystery, unfolding and getting underneath it and watching the reveals that happen around a case. So he’s a fan of that work. Then on top of it, he is a comedic genius. So that person held it all and very sweetly along with Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal’s introduction, brought me into the fold of that. I was looking at it in a way of, once Steve said, “I would love Marty to be in this with me,” then I was hoping we could do something that felt like classic meets modern. You’ve got these two classic comedians with this very modern young woman in New York where that constantly feels like a theme and then it let the comedic and the mystery unfold in a fresh way. I think we got very fortunate and we worked really hard, but the goal is always to make it look as effortless as possible but behind the scenes it’s quite a challenge to pull this sucker off.
MF: The end of the first season sets up the mystery for season 2. How much of the second season’s mystery was set in place when you introduced it at the end of the first season?
JH: Great question. They’re very tied in. As you’ve seen from the beginning of season three, we take a bit of a leap away, but those first and second seasons are more tied in than maybe evident from the beginning of season two, for sure. Going to the very notion that by episodes 9 and 10, you’re realizing, “Oh my God, the central person responsible ultimately in season 2 was present and was the actual person involved in the podcast and in the case of the podcast that first drew our trio together in episode one of season 1. So, that developed along the way, but it was also kind of in the back of my mind, at least as far as those ties that could happen that felt very exciting. But it was very challenging to thread that and not give it away and not let it be revealed. So that all was very exciting to do, but very in its own classic mystery way, a dance of mini balls in the air with character arcs and the personal relationship of this trio and the discoveries that have to happen. The comedic premises, you then have to create all in the while keeping a thrust of this mystery story that everyone’s hooked into.
(L to R) Selena Gomez, Martin Short and Steve Martin in Hulu’s ‘Only Murders In The Building’ season 2. Photo: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
MF: As a director and executive producer, what were the biggest lessons you learned between seasons working on this show?
JH: How valuable everyone else is. I have to say that in this moment too, as I speak to you as a producer of this marvelous experience and show, that I am in great solidarity and recognizing every minute of the value of the collaboration between actors and writers specifically that make everything about this show and make me stand in full solidarity with fairness for all of them right now in this very challenging moment in our business. But that is really it. To be the person who has to answer all the questions along the way for story, for actors, for everyone else, is very comforting oddly for me. I like being that person. But you have to be very careful with everything. But then to be able to feel the luxury of opening up to brilliant artists around you who have much better ideas than you do, and to be able to say, “Oh, wait a minute. Stop the train. We’re going here because of this fantastic idea.” There’s nothing like it. This show is just a magnet for talent. So, who’s coming in next door? Everyone feels this urgency behind the scenes to step it up for this incredible collection of actors that are on the show. But it’s also the great opportunity to work with people who make everything better.
MF: Obviously, the first season was a huge success. What were the big challenges going into season two to repeat that success?
JH: That sits in your head in a way that I wasn’t as much expecting or thinking about because I get very deep down in a story that I would like to tell. So I try and push aside everything else that way, but there’s no way for it not to emanate through. Certainly within our writer’s room, it was one of those moments of like, “Wait, they’re saying what over there? Who said what? Who wrote what?” That does inform, it can’t help it. It is part of the collaboration with the audience we have too. When you’re doing a mystery, you want to feel what they’re thinking a little bit and maybe undercut that, swerve away from it or lean right into it. So, that’s very nice to have that inclusivity for both audience and creators on this one.
(L to R) Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez in Hulu’s ‘Only Murders In The Building’ season 2. Photo: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
MF: Steve Martin and Martin Short are comedy legends, but what is surprising about the series is how organically Selena Gomez fits with their chemistry. Was that a pleasant surprise for you and is there room for improvisation on set? Do they come in with their own ideas, or stick to the scripts?
JH: All three of them, I want to leave them completely unbridled to say and do whatever they want to say. Yet, I’ve recognized also that they have great comfort in these wonderful scripts that our writers work very hard on. There’s great trust and generosity from them. As I say, there’s great comfort too in knowing and recognizing the good fortune of having two geniuses and a very specific modern young woman, is that you hear their voices very distinctly and the way in which they can play is built into these characters that they are perfect for, comedically and dramatically. The fact that they’re so facile, it can go so many different ways, and gives us great leeway to really hone scenes, episodes and seasons that favor what they do best. So when they are with the material, they really stick to it in a larger way. I think they would say the same thing. More than that, it’s just about elevating all of it in the way that only they can do.
MF: Finally, the show has become a magnet for very famous performers who want to guest star, Meryl Streep appears in season 3, for example. Season 2 featured Shirley MacLaine, Cara Delevingne, Tina Fey, Andrea Martin, and Paul Rudd, some of who carry over to season 3. Has there been an effort to get the biggest names possible to guest star, or has that just happened organically?
JH: Yes. The simple answer is yes. To have Shirley MacLaine in the middle of a pandemic come out of her home in New Mexico to say, “I want to come play in the landscape of New York City with this great cast of characters,” was an honor to everyone. The minute she stepped on set, the whole temperature changed. She just was absolutely brilliant. You realize the air you’re in, but also it makes you step up to live up to these people. Cara was fantastic and a friend of Selena’s for a long time and was so sharp, witty, intuitive and also a lovely person. She fit perfectly into the world, and that went on and on. Andrea Martin is a comedic genius as well, and knows Marty and knows Steve and seamlessly fits in as well. So, it’s about being strong with what the show is and hoping that people recognize the tone and how they might work in it, and then watching them just create magic is incredible. Then that leaps off into the opportunities that come from a season 3 cast, which is, I don’t know, the greatest of any half hour comedy in history? I’m going to put it up there. I’m not going to lie, I can’t believe it.
(L to R) Director John Hoffman and Shirley MacLaine on the set of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ season 2. Photo: Barbara Nitke/Hulu.
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(L to R) Selena Gomez as Mabel, Martin Short as Oliver and Steve Martin as Charles in Hulu’s ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Photo: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
Launched with the first two episodes on Hulu, the third season of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ proves that the creative team and cast have what it takes to (somewhat) move the show outside of the confines of the beautiful Arconia building for a story that makes even more use of Oliver Putnam’s (Martin Short) character.
Created by John Hoffman and Steve Martin (who also stars as the wonderfully ego-tastic, but also charming Charles-Haden Savage), this is a show that successfully blends old school comedy with the present-day obsession with social media and true crime podcasts.
‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 1 & 2 Recap
(L to R) Charles (Steve Martin), Mabel (Selena Gomez) and Oliver (Martin Short) on Hulu’s ‘Only Murders In The Building’. Photo: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
The series follows three amateur sleuths –– actor Savage (who spent years on a low-rent police show and still dines out on his minor fame), down-on-his-luck, flamboyant theatre director Putnam and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez), a young artist whose life suddenly becomes intertwined with Charles and Oliver’s when a former friend and fellow resident of grand New York apartment building the Arconia is found murdered.
The three also bond over their shared love of a true crime podcast called ‘All is not OK in Oklahoma’, and quickly decide to launch their own as they dig into the truth behind Tim’s death. As they work their way through the suspects (including the variety of quirky occupants of the building), they learn that the real killer is Jan (Amy Ryan), a musician who Charles has been dating.
Season 1 ends with cranky building head chief Bunny Folger (Jayne Houdyshell) dead in Mabel’s apartment, with Mabel framed for her murder. The second season is dedicated to Charles, Oliver and Mabel figuring out what really happened with Bunny, and how a mysterious painting factors in.
It also features more from Cinda Canning (Tina Fey), the driven, arrogant creator of ‘All Is Not OK in Oklahoma’ as she seeks to find a compelling follow-up to her hit series. Our heroes initially think that Cinda, and then artist Alice Banks (Cara Delevingne), whom Mabel briefly dated, might be the killer, but it is revealed to be Cinda’s overworked assistant Poppy White (Adina Version), who was actually the not-so-dead subject matter of ‘All is not OK’ and yearns to have a podcast of her own.
Where does Season 3 take the story of ‘Only Murders in the Building’?
(L to R) Paul Rudd as Ben in season 3 of ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Photo by: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
At the end of Season 2, we jump a year forward, to the opening night of Oliver’s new play, ‘Death Rattle’. Its leading man, the annoying, smug Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd), who clearly has no love for Charles, also starring in the production, collapses dead on stage.
It’s revealed later in the initial episode that Ben is not actually dead but had a medical condition. And he promises to be a changed man, ready to make amends for his bad behavior during the play’s initial stages. He doesn’t get long to do that, though, as he’s pushed into an elevator shaft at the Arconia, landing on the car containing Charles, Oliver and Mabel. And so, another murder mystery is set in motion…
Who else appears in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 3?
Meryl Streep as Loretta in Hulu’s ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Photo by: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
Along with some recurring faces, including Arconia residents Howard Morris (Michael Cyril Creighton) and Uma Heller (Jackie Hoffman), the show draws on a typically rich mix of guest stars, most notably Meryl Streep, who plays wannabe actress Loretta Durkin. Also guesting this year are Andrea Martin (introduced briefly last season) as a make-up artist who used to work with Charles on Brazzos and still carries a torch for him, Ashley Park (as another member of the ‘Death Rattle’ cast and Jesse Williams as Tobert (not a spelling error, his actual name), who has been hired to document Ben’s work on the play.
Does ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 3 kill it?
(L to R) Selena Gomez as Mabel and Ryan Broussard as Will in season 3 of ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Photo by: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
Given that it helped kick off the current trend of more comedic murder mysteries and has enjoyed big success with its first two seasons, the pressure is naturally on the third to keep the magic happening. It’s fortunate to report then, that the formula continues to work, and expanding the scope of the show further beyond the Arconia and into the world of theatre provides plenty of fuel for fresh mystery and comedy.
Short’s Oliver in particular is given room to shine this year, his dedication to the play and typically over the top style working really well as he attempts to mount his big comeback and slowly falls for Streep’s struggling artiste.
She is, as you might expect, fantastic in the role of Loretta, who has been enchanted with theatre and acting since she was a young girl but has faced years of frustration and rejection. Beyond the sheer meta pleasure of seeing one of the most highly regarded actors playing someone who can barely get an audition, she grabs every moment and makes it work, from her sensitive, tentative flirtation with Short to her laugh-out-loud attempts at accents during the first read-through.
(L to R) Meryl Streep as Loretta and Martin Short as Oliver in Hulu’s ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Photo: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
Rudd is also a great addition, playing the typical movie actor who has fully bought into his own publicity but still wants to come across as everyone’s friend. As with Streep, him playing against his own personality works superbly.
Which is not to diminish the work of the main cast, who still put in excellent performances as ever. Short, as mentioned, flourishes given the altered setting, while Martin and Gomez are right there with him. It’s a part of ‘Only Murders’ magic that Gomez blends so well with the old school comedy stylings of Martin and Short.
The show itself is still just as clever, and while perhaps not as funny as previous seasons, still has plenty of wit to display.
Any issues?
(L to R) Selena Gomez as Mabel and Steve Martin as Charles in season 3 of ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Photo by: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
It’s perhaps a pity that the main three are kept largely separate early on, as the repartee between Martin, Short and Gomez as the main two bicker and Mabel puts up with her favorite “olds” is a true highlight of the series.
Yet kudos to the writers, directors and cast for pushing ‘Only Murders’ in refreshing new directions while maintaining what really makes it a killer watch. The competition might have heated up in the past couple of years in the mystery-comedy genre, but this remains among the best.
‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 3 receives 9 out of 10 stars.
Martin Short as Oliver in Hulu’s ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Photo: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
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In season two of ‘Harlem,’ after blowing up her career and disrupting her love life, Camille (Meagan Good) has to figure out how to put the pieces back together. While Tye (Jerrie Johnson) considers her future, Quinn (Grace Byers) goes on a journey of self-discovery, and Angie’s (Shoniqua Shandai) career takes a promising turn.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Meagan Good and Jerrie Johnson to talk about their work on ‘Harlem’ season 2, how their characters have changed since last season, what will happen to them this season, and the overall themes of the series.
(L to R) Jerrie Johnson and Meagan Good star in Prime Video’s ‘Harlem’ Season 2.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Good, Johnson, Grace Byers, Shoniqua Shandai, Tyler Lepley, and Tracy Oliver.
Moviefone: To begin with, Meagan, can you talk about where we left Camille at the end of last season, and what she’ll be dealing with in season 2?
Meagan Good: At the end of season one, she is dating this amazing guy who is a lot of the things that she’s wanted, but she still feels feelings for Ian, her ex. She’s deciding between Jameson (Sullivan Jones) and Ian (Tyler Lepley). Then she doesn’t really have a choice with Ian because now he’s getting married and we finish last season with Quinn going to take Ian’s fiancé’s dress that she designed and all those wonderful things. Camille goes inside of the building and runs into Ian, they have this moment and they end up kissing. That’s where we end season one.
So season two we pick up right where we left off, dealing with the aftermath, the consequences, the conversations and what actually is going to happen because technically Camille’s still dating Jameson and Ian is getting married. Is he getting married? Are they going to get back together? Who knows?
In this season, I think that the biggest arc, the through line that I can share for Camille, is that she’s discovering a lot of who she is and she’s discovering a lot of who she isn’t. I think that she’s getting a lot of revelation about things that she thought about herself, or things that she thought about life, or relationships, or whatever it is and just really getting these illuminating realizations.
How it shows itself is pretty interesting and fun to watch because I think everybody can relate to it. It’s not like, you almost kissed the groom and then we cut to a year later and let’s see where everyone’s at. We get in there, we have the moments and we have the real conversations. What would you do and what wouldn’t you do? Why did you do it? Why was that important? I think the biggest thing, the through line, is just self-discovery, self-reflection and discovering who she is, which I think she’s very surprised with what she finds out about herself.
(L to R) Meagan Good, Shoniqua Shandai, Grace Byers, and Jerrie Johnson in Prime Video’s ‘Harlem’ Season 2.
MF: Finally, Jerrie, can you talk about what Tye is going through this season?
Jerrie Johnson: There’s a lot at stake for Tye with the health scare, with her husband showing up and dealing with what that might look like and not wanting to address that, but having that in close proximity. Then also not being completely honest with her friends about her husband and him not leaving. I think she is afraid. She doesn’t want to say that she’s afraid, but she is afraid because Tye has always had control of her life.
Ever since she left home, she’s always had control over her life and she’s banked on having control of her life because she didn’t have that control when she was back home. This is one of the first times in her adult life that everything has spiraled out of control.
So I think for season two she is trying to deal with as much as she can as possible. Some stuff has to fall by the wayside but I think maybe her biggest mission is to prove Brandon (Kadeem Ali Harris) wrong in what he said about her not having love in her life, so now she wants to find love and I think that’s her mission of season two.
‘Harlem’ Season 2 premieres February 3rd on Prime Video.
Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly in 2006’s ‘The Devil Wears Prada .’
TV comedy thriller series ‘Only Murders in the Building’ already features one of the best casts on the small screen, and it’s about to get even better. Star Steve Martin revealed on twitter that Meryl Streep has joined the ensemble.
The show stars Martin, Selena Gomez and Martin Short as Charles-Haden Savage, Mabel Mora and Oliver Putnam, three very different residents of a swanky, high-rise apartment building in Manhattan. When one of the other people in the building is murdered––one who had a connection to Mabel––the three unlikely citizen detectives team up to investigate what really happened.
Along the way, they launch the podcast that gives the show its name. Season 2 follows their attempts to unmask who killed Arconia Board president Bunny Folger (Jayne Houdyshell). Along the way, they’re publicly implicated in her murder and are the subjects of a competing podcast.
‘Only Murders’ has built a reputation for quirky characters, engaging mysteries and a wealth of acting talent in its cast beyond the central three.
(L to R) Charles (Steve Martin), Mabel (Selena Gomez) and Oliver (Martin Short) on Hulu’s ‘Only Murders In The Building’. Photo: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
At the end of Season 2, Oliver––a seasoned, though as the show starts, unemployed––theater director, got his chance to helm a new show on Broadway. His cast includes Savage (an actor who made his career and a healthy fortune starring in a cheesy 1980s police series) and Paul Rudd’s Ben Glenroy, a snobbish fellow performer who in a flash-forward, has disagreements with Savage. He dies on stage, and Season 3 will explore the backstory to that.
As for Streep’s character, the ‘Only Murders’ team have yet to reveal how she’ll factor into the story for the new season and whether she’ll have any connection to the core trio.
Streep, of course, needs little introduction, an Oscar winning actor more normally found in movies (but occasionally on TV). She seems like a perfect fit for the ‘Only Murders’ world and it’ll be interesting to see how she fits in.
From the looks of Gomez’ Instagram post that also served to announce Streep’s casting, she’s already interacting well with the main cast, larking around pretending to be an assistant providing them with new cushions, while being asked by Short for the “tea I ordered a half hour ago”.
Created by Martin and showrunner John Hoffman, ‘Only Murders’ has now been shooting its third season for roughly a week, but there is no date on the books yet for when it might return to Hulu. Despite its quality, it hasn’t won as many awards as you might imagine, but Streep’s presence could well change that.
(L to R) Charles (Steve Martin), Mabel (Selena Gomez) and Oliver (Martin Short) on Hulu’s ‘Only Murders In The Building’. Photo: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
