In the world of television production, keeping a series fresh and engaging is a formidable challenge. Patrick Howe, the acclaimed production designer of ‘Only Murders in the Building,’ shares insights into his creative process and the strategies he employs to maintain excitement in the series.
Patrick Howe on Keeping ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Fresh
“I’m always thrilled about it and I’m always trying to do the best work,” says Patrick Howe, a two-time Emmy-winning production designer, regarding his third consecutive nomination for Only Murders in the Building. In a recent interview with Gold Derby’s Meet the Experts: TV Production Designers panel, Howe discusses the ongoing challenge of maintaining freshness in a long-running series. He emphasizes the importance of making each episode feel like a new experience for the audience, ensuring they see new content and characters from a fresh perspective, akin to the excitement of a first season.
Behind the Scenes of Hulu’s Hit Comedy-Mystery
Only Murders in the Building follows three true-crime enthusiasts: Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez). Their obsession turns into action when a murder occurs in their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building. Created by Martin and John Hoffman, the series masterfully blends witty dialogue, sharp social commentary, and a nostalgic nod to classic whodunits. Season 4 brings back Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep, along with Zach Galifianakis, Eugene Levy, and Eva Longoria, who play fictionalized versions of themselves as production begins on a Hollywood adaptation of their podcast, introducing new intrigue and fresh suspects.
Emmy Nomination and Design Innovations
Howe has secured his third consecutive Emmy nomination for Best Narrative (Half-Hour) Production Design, having won the category the past two years. This nomination, shared with art director Casey Smith and set decorator Mila Khalevich, recognizes their exceptional work on the fourth season’s episodes, “Gates of Hell” and “Valley of the Dolls.” These episodes highlight the design team’s versatility, revealing new spaces within the iconic Arconia building and creating striking new locations that expand the show’s visual narrative.
New Characters and Expanding the Arconia
Season 4 introduces a fresh set of residents in the Arconia’s West Tower, each contributing unique dynamics and secrets to the building’s vibrant community. The quirky ensemble known as the “Westies” includes gruff loner Vince Fish (Richard Kind), fitness influencer Rudy Thurber (Kumail Nanjiani), and a tight-knit family consisting of Alfonso (Desmin Borges), Inez (Daphne Rubin-Vega), and their daughter Ana (Lilian Rebelo). Their West-side loyalties add fresh intrigue and suspects to the ongoing Sazz Pataki murder investigation.
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Designing the Arconia’s Diverse Spaces
Howe was challenged to expand the Arconia’s iconic look to less upscale areas of the complex. He explains, “You start to get a sense of who this person is immediately by seeing the space. It was crucial for John to be literal about the adjacency of these spaces and their order down a hallway, dictating who lived next to whom. Working all that out was enjoyable, especially with elevators and hallways we hadn’t seen before, while developing a different style. We aimed to reflect the social class distinctions between the East and West Tower, subtly mirroring real life in New York City between condo owners and renters.”
This article and video are presented by Disney/Hulu.
