Everything the ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Cast and Crew Has Said About Aaron Dominguez’s Return Before Season 2 Absence

Credit: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

Everything the 'Only Murders in the Building' Cast and Crew Has Said About Aaron Dominguez's Return Before Season 2 Absence

Warning: This story contains spoilers from season 2 of Only Murders in the Building. The next big mystery? Aaron Dominguez's residency on Only Murders in the Building seemed to come to an end with just one season after the actor was nowhere to be found in season 2 — but is Oscar gone for good? Season 1 of the hit Hulu series reunited Dominguez's character Oscar with his childhood best friend Mabel (Selena Gomez). After bonding over their tragic pasts, the pair formed a romantic relationship that continued until the finale. The next chapter of their lives was cut short when Mabel was arrested for Bunny's (Jayne Houdyshell) murder as Oscar watched her be taken away. Amid the show's return in June 2022, Dominguez was missing from all the episodes in season 2. Mabel instead found herself growing closer to Alice (Cara Delevingne), who reaches out to show support amid her major legal issues. "Who is making you smile like that? Oscar?" Martin Short's character Oliver asks in the premiere episode, to which Mabel responded, "Oh no. I mean, the trauma bond is strong but I think Oscar and I are both waiting for the 'Let's just be friends' text." Oliver, for his part, adds, "When you are in danger, it is all passion and sex. But then when things settle down, it is hard to know what comes next." [jwplayer Mxbnkv98-zhNYySv2] Ahead of his unexpected departure, Dominguez gushed about the time he got to spend bringing Oscar to life in OMITB. "What an incredible ride it was. To everyone and anyone involved on this. This was special beyond measure. From my producers, to my writers, to my directors, to my castmates, to my CREW, to the covid-19 safety officers to the pre-production team to the post production team and everyone in between near or far," the actor, who was billed as main cast in season 1, wrote via Instagram in October 2021. "THANK YOU, from the deepest part of my being.. THANK YOU for being relentless and seeing this through and through. Even in middle of a pandemic. Through the long nights, early mornings and weather conditions." He continued: "YOU ALL made it possible for this young artist to continue following his dreams. And to all the fans around the world thank you a million times, I love you all dearly! 🥺🙏🏽." The With Interest star also previously took to social media to praise his costar Gomez. "There was a certain gentle energy that I met you with. A kindness that I wanted to share with you. And there in that place you met me. Twas a thrill of a lifetime working alongside you. I wouldn’t of had it any other way," he captioned the sweet tribute via Instagram in September 2021. "Forever grateful. Forever humbled. Las memorias que compartimos siempre vivirán en mi." Scroll down for everything said about Dominguez's potential return ahead of season 2: [podcast_block]

Credit: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

Everything the 'Only Murders in the Building' Cast and Crew Has Said About Aaron Dominguez's Return Before Season 2 Absence

Warning: This story contains spoilers from season 2 of Only Murders in the Building. The next big mystery? Aaron Dominguez's residency on Only Murders in the Building seemed to come to an end with just one season after the actor was nowhere to be found in season 2 — but is Oscar gone for good? Season 1 of the hit Hulu series reunited Dominguez's character Oscar with his childhood best friend Mabel (Selena Gomez). After bonding over their tragic pasts, the pair formed a romantic relationship that continued until the finale. The next chapter of their lives was cut short when Mabel was arrested for Bunny's (Jayne Houdyshell) murder as Oscar watched her be taken away. Amid the show's return in June 2022, Dominguez was missing from all the episodes in season 2. Mabel instead found herself growing closer to Alice (Cara Delevingne), who reaches out to show support amid her major legal issues. "Who is making you smile like that? Oscar?" Martin Short's character Oliver asks in the premiere episode, to which Mabel responded, "Oh no. I mean, the trauma bond is strong but I think Oscar and I are both waiting for the 'Let's just be friends' text." Oliver, for his part, adds, "When you are in danger, it is all passion and sex. But then when things settle down, it is hard to know what comes next." [jwplayer Mxbnkv98-zhNYySv2] Ahead of his unexpected departure, Dominguez gushed about the time he got to spend bringing Oscar to life in OMITB. "What an incredible ride it was. To everyone and anyone involved on this. This was special beyond measure. From my producers, to my writers, to my directors, to my castmates, to my CREW, to the covid-19 safety officers to the pre-production team to the post production team and everyone in between near or far," the actor, who was billed as main cast in season 1, wrote via Instagram in October 2021. "THANK YOU, from the deepest part of my being.. THANK YOU for being relentless and seeing this through and through. Even in middle of a pandemic. Through the long nights, early mornings and weather conditions." He continued: "YOU ALL made it possible for this young artist to continue following his dreams. And to all the fans around the world thank you a million times, I love you all dearly! 🥺🙏🏽." The With Interest star also previously took to social media to praise his costar Gomez. "There was a certain gentle energy that I met you with. A kindness that I wanted to share with you. And there in that place you met me. Twas a thrill of a lifetime working alongside you. I wouldn’t of had it any other way," he captioned the sweet tribute via Instagram in September 2021. "Forever grateful. Forever humbled. Las memorias que compartimos siempre vivirán en mi." Scroll down for everything said about Dominguez's potential return ahead of season 2: [podcast_block]

Credit: LRNYC/MEGA; YouTube

The Plans for the Future

Following the season 1 finale, creator John Hoffman hinted at the story line he had in mind for Oscar.

"I love Aaron Dominguez and we talked a lot about this character. I think it’s a really complicated relationship that he and Mabel have and it’s going to be interesting to see where it goes," he told Deadline in October 2021. "It’s born out of tragedy or around a time of great tragedy for both of them. There are certain dreams they both have that they recognize who they are together, but I think they have work to do to understand exactly who they are and if they’re meant to be together."

Credit: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

The 'OMITB' Impact

After season 1 wrapped, Dominguez opened up about what roles he is looking forward to exploring in the future. "I feel so humbled and grateful that the show’s been received so well. I’m looking forward to other things that are in the works now. I’m excited to wrap up an A24 film in November and keep working and building off a great opportunity OMITB was for me," he told Schon Magazine in October 2021. "Also, music is in the works along with other creative endeavors. I’ll keep you guys in the loop."

Credit: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

His Future Plans

"I think that’s the beauty and the terror within this industry and within the arts, is you never really know what’s next until it’s there," Dominguez said during an interview with Flamingo Magazine in November 2021. "I’m just looking to ultimately build upon the great opportunity that Only Murders in the Building has been and will continue to be."

Credit: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

Unclear Participation

During an interview with Decider, the outlet noted that Dominguez's involvement wasn't confirmed for season 2. At the time, the Words on Bathroom Walls star reflected on the lessons he learned while on the OMITB set.  

“I never took any of the time lightly, I never wanted to take a day for granted,” Dominguez shared in October 2021. “I just wanted to be a sponge every day that I got to work, I wanted to be the dumbest guy in the room. Essentially, it made for a great master class to go to work every day while also being ready to stand toe to toe with them in scenes. But overall, the experience was one of a lifetime, you know?"

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Hulu

Hinting at His Involvement

In February 2022, Dominguez teased what fans can expect from season 2 while filming was underway.

"There's a lot to be said. I can't say a lot. You guys are in for an even more elevated cast — even more so than what you have seen online. So I can't give too much [away]," the actor told Entertainment Weekly at the SAG Awards. "We have been [filming] since November [2021]. Maybe I have [been on set]. I have been to New York a few times recently."

Credit: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

His Absence

After season 2 wrapped up in August 2022, Hoffman addressed his decision not to include Oscar in the show's next chapter.

"I love Aaron," he told Deadline at the time about why Dominguez’s onscreen departure "made sense" in the narrative. "We made a call that we didn't want to see Mabel develop a relationship where the trauma bond is strong."

The showrunner noted it would have been "really hard" for the character to stay following another murder. "I think they keep in touch and I won't say it's not something that won't come back around in some way, because he was a part of her life," he added.