If you have already binged on Will Arnett’s Netflix show, Murderville, you have had your share of laughter, mystery, and fun. But if you haven’t watched it yet, this comedic murder mystery has guest celebrities who are entirely clueless about the crimes they have to solve. There’s no script, and the storyline is impromptu. But is it true? And if it is, how did the showrunners manage to give a proper direction to this improvised drama? To get to the core of this, all you have to do is keep reading.

Detective Terry Seattle, the team, and everything in between

Released in the month of February, Murderville follows Will Arnett’s, Detective Terry Seattle, who had a troubled past. Seattle, along with the trainee detectives, has to dig down a murder case each week to unearth the truth. However, the twist here is that the guest celebrities, who enroll as a trainee every week, have no script! Fascinatingly, they have to improvise themselves based on the clues given by suspects to solve the mysteries and find out the truth. They can be right, they can be wrong.

Haneefah Wood’s Chief Rhonda Jenkins-Seattle appears at the end to reveal the truth. The improvisation gives this 6-episode series a hilarious turn. We find ourselves laughing with the guest celebrities throughout as we sometimes leave the most obvious clue and other times catch the substantial ones.

Reading this, you may have this undeniable doubt. If the script is impromptu, and everyone is as much clueless, how did they keep this crime mystery going for 6 entire episodes?

Is Murderville entirely improvised?

NO. It’s partially an improv exercise, and some obvious parts of the storyline are scripted. Notably, the series duos Seattle with many celebrities such as comedian Conan O’ Brien, ex-NFL star Marshawn Lynch, Kumail Nanjiani of Eternals, and many more. And the improv portion plays its role here. The guest celebrities are entirely clueless and this situation adds a lot of fun to the show. However, a team of 8 writers has scripted the murder cases hilariously. And as we watch the series, the line between the script and the impromptu gets a little blurry.

The script enters the Murderville here

Even with all its improv, there are scenes and moments that are somehow scripted and still perfectly blends with the improvisation. For instance, Terry Seattle’s relationship with the chief. Further, the actors playing suspects and victims have scripts that provide necessary clues, leading the trainee detectives in a particular direction. Although the guest stars know nothing, the accused knows their role very well.

To conclude, to keep the story going and give it a certain direction, this hence improvised drama IS partially scripted. Nonetheless, the show is worth giving a shot. While the improv will make you laugh hard, the script will keep you engaged.

As you watch Murderville on Netflix, let us know in the comment section what tickled you the most.