Adina Verson on ‘Only Murders in the Building’: ‘Poppy understands how to manipulate hierarchy’

Adina Verson originally auditioned for the role of Cinda Canning in the popular whodunit-comedy, Only murders in the building. “It was obviously written for Tina Fey,” Adina said on a call from New York. Canning is the host of a true crime podcast that inspires Charles-Hayden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) to start one of their own when a murder occurs in their swanky Upper West Side home. Side apartment building, Archonia.

This happened during the time of COVID-19, and Adina said the producers weren’t sure if Fey would be available for the project. “They decided to audition a few other people, including me. Tina Fey could have done the role, but the makers liked me and they wrote the role of Poppy for me.

Poppy is Cinda’s bullied and abused assistant, whose ideas Cinda steals without by-your-leave. But Adina described herself as intelligent. “She’s ambitious and smart. She understands hierarchy and how to change it.

Adina Verson in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Still | Photo credit: Patrick Harbron

A fan of serial podcasts, Adina says she doesn’t like them that much anymore. “I can only hear so many details about the murder (laughs). Right now, I’m listening to a podcast about performers Siegfried & Roy who worked with lions and tigers. In October 2003, one of the tigers attacked Mantakor Roy. This is an investigative podcast about that event and it’s fascinating.

Aside from Mabel’s endless supply of absolutely divine coats, head costume designer, Dana Covarrubias, has worked on different looks for others on the show. “She’s brilliant with Poppy. However, it’s clear that Poppy is trying to dress like Cynda, the brands the costume department bought were cheaper brands than what Cynda could afford.

In the final episode, Adina says, we see Becky slowly turning poppy and starting her relationship with Cynda, the subtext suggests that Cynda gets her style cues from Poppy. “Cinda may have stolen some of that look from her. It’s also an interesting take on a relationship.

After Becky’s reveal, Adina says it’s fascinating to see how different Becky and Poppy look. “It’s interesting to think about the choices she made with hair and glasses to create this New York persona.”

Adina Verson in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Still | Photo credit: Patrick Harbron

The last episode, ‘I Know Who Did It,’ with the killer reveal party, was fun to shoot, Adina says. “It was the first time I was on set with so many other actors. Poppies usually only have one or two individuals.

The actor-producer said that the scene was shot for four days. “A lot of us are from the New York theater community and know each other from the theater world. It was so much fun watching everyone do these ridiculous things. I was with these comic geniuses and it was a fun four days. I’ll definitely tell my grandkids about it (laughs). .

Currently only Murders in the Building is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar