Meryl Streep and Melissa McCarthy Star in Memorable Fight Scene on ‘Only Murders in the Building’

The latest episode of the critically acclaimed comedy-mystery series “Only Murders in the Building” took an unexpected turn with an iconic fight scene featuring renowned actresses Meryl Streep and Melissa McCarthy. This development was revealed in episode 7, titled “Valley of the Dolls,” which is currently available for streaming on Hulu.

In a surprising twist, the episode showcased a comedic showdown between Streep’s character, Loretta Durkin, and McCarthy’s character, Doreen, who is the sister of Charles, portrayed by Steve Martin. The confrontation unfolds in a suburban setting after Doreen, distressed over her unreciprocated advances towards Oliver, played by Martin Short, finds Loretta to be an unexpected rival.

John Hoffman, the show’s co-creator, shared insights with Deadline on how the scene came to be. “Initially, the plan was to have stunt doubles perform the fight,” Hoffman explained. “However, Meryl and Melissa insisted on doing it themselves, bringing an energy to the scene that was beyond our expectations.”

McCarthy’s involvement in the series had been a well-kept secret until her surprise appearance in this episode. Hoffman recounted the casting process, saying, “Melissa has been on our wish list for quite some time. When we pitched the character to her, she was immediately interested, particularly after I described her role and noted her collection of dolls.”

The fight scene was a testament to the actresses’ commitment. “They watched the stunt women perform and then decided they wanted to take it further,” Hoffman said. “Their enthusiasm was palpable, and they managed to deliver each take with incredible precision.”

This episode was not just about the fight; it also explored deeper character dynamics. Oliver’s romantic entanglements with both Loretta and Doreen were a central theme. The episode concluded with a surprising development: Loretta’s proposal to Oliver, adding another layer to the series’ ongoing narrative complexity.

Furthermore, the episode hinted at connections to earlier seasons, referencing unresolved plot threads that might play a larger role as the season progresses. “Our fans have been curious about certain loose ends from Season 1,” Hoffman acknowledged, “and this season aims to address some of those.”