How Meryl Streep & Martin Short’s Relationship is Shaking Up the Set of ‘Only Murders in the Building’

Odd couple Meryl Streep and Martin Short have been joined at the hip for the better part of two years now — but sources say there’s trouble brewing as she throws her weight around on Only Murders in the Building and puts colleagues’ backs up in the process.

“Meryl and Martin’s partnership has transformed the show fairly late in its run,” confides an insider.

“The fear among the lower creative ranks is that the whole thing has been thrown off balance because of their relationship.”

The three-time Oscar winner joined the hit Hulu series for season 3, returned for season 4, and has confirmed that she’ll be back for another round.

“Meryl is a big presence and she’s the focus of energy every day that she’s on set. She wants to be there, she’s well paid, but she has changed the show — and Steve Martin has let that happen,” says the source.

“Everybody longs for the days when Steve and his key executive producer Dan Fogelman guided the show. Once Meryl came on board, so much of the time and scripts seemed to cater to her, and everybody else had to step in line. Nobody asked for this.”

According to our insider, it can often look like Meryl has totally taken over the franchise because the other creatives are so in awe of her, including soft-power leader Steve, who came up with the series in the first place.

“Steve’s affable, nonconfrontational nature and deference to Meryl is part of the problem here,” says the insider.

“And Martin caters to Meryl because he can’t believe he’s actually dating this big Hollywood star.”

“This used to be a fun gig, but others in the cast and crew are grumbling that Meryl’s a queen bee who has totally stolen the show — and they don’t like it!”