Meryl Streep and Martin Short have a long friendship. Here’s every time the ‘Only Murders’ costars have denied dating rumors.
October 8, 20240
Streep as Loretta on season three of “Only Murders in the Building.”
Hulu
Streep’s casting was announced in a behind-the-scenes set video Selena Gomez shared on Instagram in January 2023.
On the show, Streep portrays Loretta Durkin, a struggling actor who lands the role of the nanny in Oliver Putnam’s play “Death Rattle.” It’s later revealed that she was keen on being part of the play in order to reconnect with her estranged son, Dickie Glenroy (Jeremy Shamos).
Loretta and Oliver get to know each other before the play’s opening night, and they begin dating.
During the season three finale, Oliver encourages Loretta to pursue acting jobs in LA, even though it would mean that they’d be living across the country from each other.
August 29, 2023: “OMITB” showrunner John Hoffman says Streep thanked him for incorporating a romance between Loretta and Oliver on the show.
Streep and Short at the 2024 Golden Globes.
Todd Williamson/CBS via Getty Images
At the awards show, “OMITB” was nominated for best TV series — musical or comedy. Short was nominated for best actor in a TV series — musical or comedy and Streep earned a nod for best female actor in a supporting role on TV.
Two days after the Golden Globes, Short’s rep said that the pair “are just very good friends, nothing more.”
January 28, 2024: Short shuts down romance rumors during an appearance on Bill Maher’s podcast.
Short and Streep backstage at the play “It’s Only a Play” on Broadway in February 2015.
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Short told People magazine that Streep called him prior to season three and asked about a role for her on the show.
“They already planned that I would have a theatrical experience and there would be a love interest,” Short said. “So that was coincidental, but she just wanted to be on the show. She didn’t know about [the love story].”
August 22, 2024: Streep and Short hold hands at the LA premiere of season four of “OMITB.”
Short, Streep, and Steve Martin in February 2023.
Bruce Glikas/WireImage
In an “OMITB” cast interview with Extra, Short was asked, “Had your friendship grown since playing so close characters?”
“It’s been a friendship that always grows if you work with someone and love that person,” Short said, stopping himself because he didn’t want to unintentionally reveal any spoilers about season four of “OMITB.”
“Meryl is a friend to all of us,” Steve Martin, who starred alongside Streep in the 2009 rom-com “It’s Complicated,” chimed in. “I very fortunately had a movie with her. If I don’t see her for two years, you get back together and you’re already laughing and talking. It’s friendly.”
August 27, 2024: Season 4 of “OMITB” premieres on Hulu, continuing Loretta and Oliver’s love story.
Streep and Short at the season four premiere of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.”
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images
In an interview with E! News, Short recalled having nerves on his way to his first day of work with Streep. As it turned out, Streep felt similarly.
“Then we finished a two-person scene at a piano, and they have to set up for angle and we went into a holding area, and she said, ‘OK, my nerves are to half,'” Short said.
“I went, Oh, OK, that’s, that’s pretty cool,'” he continued. “‘Maybe that’s why you’re the greatest actress, because you’ve never taken anything for granted.'”
