Edina Varsson on ‘Only Murder in the Building’: ‘Poppy Understands How to Manipulate Hierarchy’

Edina Varsson originally auditioned for the role of Cinda Canning in the popular whodunit-comedy, only murders in the building, “It was clearly written for Tina Fey,” Edina said on a call from New York. Canning is the host of a true crime podcast, which prompts Charles-Hayden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) to start a murder of their own when their Upper West A murder takes place in the side apartment building, Arconia.

This was during COVID-19, Edina says, and the producers weren’t sure if Fay was going to be available for the project. “He decided to audition a few others including me. Tina Fey was able to do the role but the makers liked me and so they wrote the role of Poppy for me.”

Poppy is Cinda’s harassed and abusive assistant, whose ideas Cinda steals so much without leaving you. However, Adina calls him smart. “She is ambitious and clever. She understands hierarchy and how to manipulate it.”

Adina, a fan of the serial podcast, says she is no longer in them. “There are only so many details about the murder that I can hear (laughs). Currently, I am listening to a podcast about artists Siegfried and Roy working with lions and tigers. Roy was attacked in October 2003 by a tiger, the mantacore. It’s an investigative podcast about that event and is fascinating.

In addition to Mabel’s never-ending supply of utterly divine coats, head costume designer, Dana Kovrubias, has worked on different looks for others on the show. “She’s fabulous with Poppy. While it’s clear that Poppy was trying to dress like Cinda, the brands the costume department bought were cheaper brands than Cinda.

In the last episode, says Edina, where we see Becky slowly transform into Poppy, and begin her relationship with Cinda, the subtext alludes to Cinda getting some of her style cues from Poppy. “Cinda might have stolen some of that look from her. It was also an interesting take on the relationship. ,

After Becky’s revelations, Adina says it was fascinating to see how different Becky and Poppy look. “It was very interesting to think about the choices she might have made with the hair and glasses to embody this New York personality.”

Edina Varsson in a scene from ‘Only Murders in the Building’ | photo credit: Patrick Harbron

The last episode, ‘I Know Who Did It,’ reveals the party with the killer, was fun to shoot, Adina says. “It was the first time I was on the sets with many other actors. Poppy is usually just with Cinda or some other people. ,

The actor-producer says that the scene was shot in four days. “Many of us come from the New York theater community and know each other from the theater world. It was so much fun hanging out and watching everyone do these ridiculous things. I was with these comedic geniuses and it was incredibly fun for four days. I will definitely tell my grandchildren about it (laughs).

Only Murder in the Building is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar