Oliver Putnam's Apartment

The home of the Broadway director who started it all.

Oliver Putnam is an ambitious but financially struggling Broadway director who lives in the Arconia, his upscale apartment building on Manhattan's Upper West Side. As one half of the trio with Steve Martin and Selena Gomez, Oliver spawns the idea of the podcast that investigates suspicious murders within the building.

Quick Facts

Resident: Oliver Putnam
Building: The Arconia
Location: Upper West Side, Manhattan
First appears: Season 1

Lore & Background

Oliver Putnam resides in the Arconia, where he is described as an ambitious yet financially struggling Broadway director. He lives alongside neighbors like Charles-Haden Savage and Mabel Mora, with whom he forms a friendship based on their shared interest in true crime podcasts. Oliver is the one who sparks the idea of creating their own podcast about the cases they investigate. His personal life includes a son named Will Putnam (seasons 1–2; guest seasons 3–4) and a relationship with Loretta Durkin, portrayed by Meryl Streep, whom he eventually marries.

Reader's Guide

Oliver Putnam lives in the Arconia on Manhattan's Upper West Side. He is a resident who, despite financial struggles, maintains an active role as a Broadway director. He has a son, Will Putnam, and that his assistant Howard Morris helps him with his play starting in season 3. Fans can trace his journey from a struggling director to a podcast producer and Broadway figure, all while living in this New York City building.

Did You Know?

Young Oliver was played by Samuel Farnsworth in season 2.
In season 4, Zach Galifianakis portrayed a fictionalized version of himself, not Oliver, in the film adaptation of the podcast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who lives in Oliver Putnam's apartment at The Arconia?

Oliver Putnam, an ambitious but financially struggling Broadway director, resides in this unit on Manhattan's Upper West Side. He is one of the three main protagonists who launch the murder investigation podcast.

What role does Oliver's apartment play in the series?

The apartment serves as a primary gathering spot where Oliver, Mabel, and Charles often discuss their theories and record segments for their show. It acts as a central hub for the trio's collaboration throughout the early seasons.