Jesse Williams Reveals He Won't Appear in Season 4 of 'Only Murders in the Building' (Exclusive) (original) (raw)

Jesse Williams' Tobert won't be returning for Only Murders in the Building season 4.

While speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the premiere of his new docuseries Distilled on Sunday, July 28, the actor, 42, confirmed his documentarian OMITB character won't be back when the latest series airs next month.

Discussing the dramatic season 3 finale that aired in October 2023 being "open-ended" when it comes to his character's possible return, Williams assures PEOPLE, "No, I'm not on that show anymore."

Viewers met Tobert in season 3, the character debuting alongside new roles played by Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd — the latter who starred at Ben Glenroy, an actor whose death fueled the season 3 storyline. A cameraman hired to document Ben's Broadway debut in the fictional Death Rattle, Tobert soon helped Mabel (Selena Gomez) in her investigation before romance struck up between the two.

The season ended with Tobert heading to Los Angeles to work on an Indie film and Mable turning down an offer to join him (though teasing that she was open to visiting).

Selena Gomez and Jesse Williams in 'Only Murders in the Building'.

Patrick Harbron/Hulu

Of course, Gomez will be back for season 4, returning alongside Steve Martin (as Charles-Haden Savage) and Martin Short (as Oliver Putnam). Streep, who plays Loretta Durkin, and Rudd are also returning.

Season 4 will follow Mable, Charles and Oliver as their Only Murders podcast is turned into a blockbuster film starring Eva Longoria, Eugene Levy and Zach Galifianakis, respectfully.

Other stars announced by Hulu have included Melissa McCarthy, Molly Shannon, Kumail Nanjiani, Richard Kind, Desmin Borges, Siena Werber and Lilian Rebelo.

In February, Martin’s co-creator John Hoffman expressed hope that Williams would be returning alongside the Mamma Mia! actress for another season.

Jesse Williams in 'Only Murders in the Building'.

Patrick Harbron/Hulu

While speaking to PEOPLE in an interview published in August 2023, Williams spoke about starring on the beloved show alongside his "heroes" Martin and Short.

“It may be the first time I’ve ever been like, ‘Oh, this is the pinch yourself moment,” he shared. “Each of them, independently and together, were such comedy pillars for me and were just so present on my screens growing up.”

Jesse Williams attends Los Angeles screening of 'Distilled' on July 28, 2024.

Kayla Oaddams/Getty

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The Grey’s Anatomy alum also praised his working relationship with Gomez, noting that teaming up with the actress, producer, and singer-songwriter was a “really delightful” experience.

“We built something that created a nice parallel to these two characters we are playing that are just meeting each other, feeling each other out, and trying to find common ground,” he said.

_Only Murders in the Building'_s fourth season premieres Aug. 27. The first three seasons of the show are currently streaming on Hulu.