Jane Lynch on her future on 'OMITB' after the season 4 finale, Fate

[This story includes major spoilers from the Only Murders in the Building season four finale.]

Only murders in the building said goodbye to her beloved fan-favorite character Sazz Pataki, played by Jane Lynch, with the season four finale revealing how she died (sadly, it didn't fake her death as some fans might have hoped).

When Sazz, Charles' (Steve Martin) longtime stunt double and best friend, was killed in his kitchen at the end of season three, there were countless questions about who did it, why they did it, and, were they really aiming to Charles?

Now, with the conclusion of season four, all those questions have been answered: Marshall P. Pope/Rex Bailey (Jin Ha), aka Sazz's prized stunt student, killed her because he wanted to pawn her. Only murders in the building movie as if it were hers and, well, she wouldn't let him.

For someone like Sazz, who has lived a life devoted to his friends, “the betrayal of what Marshall does is so out of place [character] which shocks her because she doesn't see the world that way. You don't betray the people who help you,” Lynch says The Hollywood journalist. “It's a real earthquake for his psyche.”

Despite his character's death, the Cheerfulness AND Wonderful Mrs. Maisel The star was grateful to be able to explore Sazz's life in more depth throughout the season through flashbacks, seeing her in action on set as a stuntman and pursuing her dream of opening a trampoline park in New Jersey to share her love and of his father for stunts with actors. world. Above all, she loved to express her complete and total dedication to Charles.

Lynch had several conversations with showrunner John Hoffman about the friendship between Sazz and Charles, and “gave me the idea that the relationship would turn out to be very deep, and that she would surprise Charles with how much Sazz had sacrificed for her.” him – not just in death, but in life – and how he took the fact that he was his number 1 very seriously.

Below in a spoiler chat with THRLynch reveals how she felt when she first found out she'd be the victim in season four, talks about working with Martin on their emotional scenes, and whether she'd be open to returning to the show in some capacity for season five.

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I talked to John Hoffman last year when it was revealed that Sazz was going to be the victim in season four, and he said he contacted you about it and that you loved the whole storyline. What went through your mind at that moment?

I was honored and I also knew that I would work harder, because I usually only do two or three episodes of the season, if not many. I knew that even if I wasn't in an episode, they would be talking about me. And sometimes it's just as important as actually being there. So I was really excited to be the murder victim.

It's not a phrase you hear very often.

(He laughs) I know.

Were you disappointed that your time on the show would end to some extent after season four?

I guess it was there, but it wasn't the main thing. I kind of live in the moment and do whatever work I do. Very rarely do I think, “Oh, I hope this turns into something bigger.” But it was a pretty big thing to happen on this particular show, to become the victim of a murder.

Did you have any conversations with John about the Sazz storyline and how it would play out?

A bit. He told me I was the murder victim. He didn't tell me how it would happen, or the twists and turns of the season. But he would say little things like, “Oh, you're going to love it. It's a very sweet scene between you and Charles. It gave me the idea that the relationship would turn out to be very deep, and that it would surprise Charles how much Sazz sacrificed for him – not just in death, but in life – and how she took him very seriously. be his number 1. In his code of ethics, and even in the stunt world, as we discover, this little subculture: your number 1 is everything. You protect them. And for her this extended to life too, not just on set.

I'm glad you carried that's because it was so sweet to see Sazz and Charles' relationship in a new light with him hallucinating her and in flashbacks to when they worked together. What was it like filming those scenes with Steve Martin?

It's just been adorable, everything about this season. And, of course, the other seasons too. We both appreciated the depth we went to with this relationship. I love the scene where I'm sitting at the foot of the bed with him, and at this point I'm a ghost, and he says, “You're my best friend. What am I going to do without you?” I thought it was wonderful, and before that, we detailed what Sazz did for him: gave him friends. He was all alone. And I think that's something that Charles felt, that he was alone in this world, and especially then, and she populated his life with friends, people who cared about him. He had been having lunch alone until then season.

In the finale, Mabel (Selena Gomez) says that Sazz wrote a love letter to Charles with her Only Murders film script. Do you agree with this?

Oh yes. She needed a way to stay in the industry because she was pretty beat up, and she had been on sets long enough to know how to do this writing thing, and she was so inspired. It's all about that script; her bond with him and how much she cared about him. I love that she said it was like a love letter to him.

Furthermore seeing a different side of The relationship between Sazz and Charles, we also got to see more of Sazz's life outside of Charles. How did this fill in the blanks for you?

It was great because – and obviously the writers see it this way too – he embraced life. He embraced his role as a stuntman, which he was his No. 1. When I could walk around the set like it was my own – jump in that car – everything I did as Sazz had style and precision. to it, and she loved it. She just liked that.

Did you know from the beginning who Sazz's killer would be or did you find out later?

I found out later. All the twists and turns of the season's mystery were revealed to me as we received each script.

When you first heard that your character would be the victim. Did you have an idea who would want to kill Sazz or if the killer was actually aiming for Charles?

I had no idea because I couldn't see [Martin Short] or Selena [Gomez] do it. So I didn't know. I knew it was going to be very open, so he started adding all these characters, like the renters on the west side of the building. I thought, “Oh, maybe one of them.” And then this story leads you to believe that it could be one of them. So it's a very interesting thing.

How did you feel learning that all these great actors wanted to be on the show that you were such a big part of?

It was really exciting. One day I shot with all of them, with Zach [Galifianakis] and Eugene [Levy] and Molly [Shannon] and Eva Longoria. So we got to say goodbye and everything. It was really nice to see them. Obviously I haven't worked with them, but I thought it was really cool. And they were hilarious. I love the scene posted on social media where Molly Shannon was drunk. I call it his “contempt for actors” scene. He's so funny, and then he farted at Meryl Streep. Come on!

Golden comedy.

They are national treasures: Molly and Meryl.

Going back to the ending, it's tragic when you think about how Sazz's prized pupil ended up being his downfall. What were your thoughts when you came across this?

The way Sazz lives life is that you are as devoted to your friends as she is devoted to Charles. The betrayal of what Marshall does is so out of place [character]it shocks her because she doesn't see the world that way. Don't betray the people who help you. You don't betray anyone. So playing that scene where I realized he stole my script and said it was his, was a real earthquake to his psyche. It was a really juicy, juicy scene to play.

So, Sazz died on the show. But Paul Rudd is back in season 4 (as new character Glen Stubbins) after dying in season three. Do you have any hopes of returning for the already renewed fifth season?

Oh, if they want me, I'll do whatever they want me to do. I can play myself as a ghost as long as the show goes on. I would love it.

What are your fondest memories on the show, behind the scenes or on screen?

Sitting in our chairs and just talking to Selena, Marty, Steve and the variety of actors who came in and out. It's almost like being at a dinner party with really bright, brilliant, funny, nice people. We talked about all kinds of things. It was a nice place to be; so pleasant and enveloping, and so very relaxing. This starts from the top down, both John Hoffman and Steve [Martin]they set the tone, and it's a really good tone. It's such a chill tone and the crew is just wonderful. They are all adorable. A nice group of people.

The season 4 finale reveals that Lester (Teddy Coluca) will be the season 5 victim and Téa Leoni will be involved to some extent. Do you know anything about the next episode that you can preview?

Nooooo. I don't know anything. I knew almost nothing about mine. (He laughs) But I'm sure it will be very interesting and exciting.

Will you be watching?

Oh yes, absolutely!

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Only murders in the building season four is now streaming its full season on Hulu. Light THR'interview with showrunner John Hoffman about the season 4 finale and analysis of the season 5 murder.