LONDON — Bridgerton star Simone Ashley is officially trading the Regency-era ballroom for a modern-day murder mystery. The British actress has joined the cast of Only Murders in the Building for its upcoming sixth season, which has officially moved its production base across the Atlantic.
Speculation reached a fever pitch after Ashley was spotted leaving the set of the hit Hulu/Disney+ comedy-mystery in London. While the studio has kept tight-lipped about the exact nature of her character, her addition to the roster highlights a massive creative pivot for the series.
For the first time since the show premiered, the central podcasting trio—played by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez—have said “pip pip, toodeloo” to their beloved Arconia apartment building in New York City, taking their investigative antics to the UK.
A British Invasion for Season 6
The transatlantic shift lines up perfectly with the chaotic events of the Season 5 finale. In the closing moments of last season, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel were left reeling while listening to a new podcast by rival host Cinda Canning (Tina Fey)—a British-centric mystery that abruptly concluded with Canning’s own highly suspicious death.
Showrunner and co-creator John Hoffman celebrated the first week of UK filming by sharing a selfie alongside the core trio and returning guest star Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who reprises her role as Detective Donna Williams.
”DAY ONE of Season Six in beauteous, mysterious Londontown with this merry band of dreamboats,” Hoffman wrote. “Away we go and tally-ho!”
A Star-Studded London Ensemble
Only Murders in the Building has built a reputation for rotating an elite class of Hollywood A-listers through its seasons—having previously featured the likes of Meryl Streep, Paul Rudd, and Eugene Levy. Season 6 is leaning heavily into British comedic and dramatic royalty to match its new setting.
Alongside Simone Ashley, the new season has added iconic British comedian Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous). Saunders was recently photographed on set alongside the main cast sporting a vibrant pink wig and round glasses.
How Long Can the Murders Continue?
With the series crossing the 50-episode mark and moving into international territory, questions have naturally arisen about how long three true-crime fans can realistically keep stumbling over dead bodies.
Hoffman admitted that the premise stretches reality, but insists the creative team isn’t running out of steam.
”From the moment we started making the show, of course, there’s the stretch of credulity—how long can this thing go on?” Hoffman recently told TV Insider. “But it’s been very sweet because just when you think, ‘Well, I don’t know how to make it fresh anymore,’ some new thought or some new idea in the room comes up.”
Season 6 of Only Murders in the Building is slated to premiere in the autumn of 2026.
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