It started with a look. Honestly, it was just a few seconds of camera time at the 2024 Golden Globes, but the internet basically exploded. People saw Meryl Streep and Martin Short whispering, laughing, and looking genuinely delighted by each other’s presence, and suddenly the "Only Murders in the Building" fan fiction became a real-world obsession.
Everyone wanted it to be true.
Why wouldn't we? It’s the ultimate "friends-to-lovers" arc for the AARP set. But as we move into 2026, the narrative has shifted from "are they or aren't they" to something much more nuanced. Depending on who you ask—or which tabloid you're scrolling through—they are either the most private power couple in Hollywood or just two grieving legends who found a second act in a beautiful, platonic friendship.
The Meryl Streep Martin Short Romance Rumours: A Timeline of the "Showmance"
Let's look at the facts. They didn't just meet on the set of Hulu’s hit comedy. They actually go back to at least 2015, spotted backstage at Short’s Broadway show It’s Only a Play. But the spark (or the perception of one) really ignited when Meryl joined the cast of Only Murders in 2023.
She played Loretta Durkin, the struggling actress who becomes the love interest of Short’s character, Oliver Putnam. Their on-screen chemistry was electric. It was so good, in fact, that showrunner John Hoffman admitted Meryl actually cried after filming a romantic scene on a ferry, thanking him for the chance to play a "love story at this age."
Then came the real-world receipts.
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- January 2024: The Golden Globes "cozy" seating. Short’s rep quickly told People, "They are just very good friends, nothing more."
- February 2024: Dinner at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica. That’s a heavy-duty date spot.
- August 2024: They were seen holding hands at the Season 4 premiere after-party. Hand-holding is usually the "hard launch" in Hollywood, yet they still denied it.
- March 2025: Page Six and several other outlets reported that the two had been dating for "well over a year." Insiders claimed Meryl "couldn't help but fall" for Martin's humor and kindness.
Why the Public is So Obsessed
It’s about the timing. Meryl revealed in 2023 that she and her husband of 45 years, Don Gummer, had actually been separated for more than six years. Martin, on the other hand, has been a widower since 2010 after losing his wife, Nancy Dolman, to cancer.
Seeing two people who have navigated such deep personal transitions find joy again? It’s basically catnip for the public. It feels earned.
Are They Actually Dating in 2026?
Here is where it gets tricky. If you look at the recent headlines from early 2026, sources close to the pair are now whispering about a possible wedding. RadarOnline and Reality Tea have cited insiders saying their kids approve and that they’re "acting like teens in high school."
But—and this is a big "but"—neither Meryl nor Martin has ever confirmed it.
Martin Short is a pro at the deflection game. On Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, he laughed it off, saying, "We’re not a couple, we are just very close friends." He’s consistent. He knows that once you confirm a relationship in Hollywood, you lose the privacy you’ve spent decades building.
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The "Hidden" Clues
If you’re a detective like the characters in their show, you look for the breadcrumbs. Steve Martin, the third wheel in this legendary trio, posted a photo on Instagram in late 2024 of the three of them, but he put a giant red "no" symbol over his own face.
It was a classic Steve Martin prank. But fans took it as a "hard launch" of Meryl and Martin as a duo.
Then there was the Valentine’s Day 2025 sighting at the SNL50 concert. They were in the crowd together. When the camera panned to them, Meryl jokingly flipped off the lens. It was chaotic, funny, and exactly what a couple that’s been together a year but refuses to "be a couple" would do.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception about the meryl streep martin short romance rumours is that it has to be a binary choice: either they are "just friends" or "deeply in love."
In reality, Hollywood friendships among legends are often far more intimate than "normal" friendships. They share a history, a tax bracket, and a specific type of fame that nobody else understands. They spend 14 hours a day on set together.
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Some insiders suggest it started as a "showmance" to help promote the series but evolved into a genuine companionship. Others say they’ve been "low-key" for years. What’s clear is that they aren't hiding. They go to Broadway shows together (Merrily We Roll Along was a big one in 2024), they go to dinner, and they support their friends, like Tom Hanks, at play openings.
They just aren't giving the paparazzi the "official statement" we all crave.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following this story, don't expect a Vogue cover reveal anytime soon. These are "OGs," as one Page Six source put it. They do things on their own terms.
- Watch the Body Language: In recent 2025 and 2026 appearances, notice how they interact during "Only Murders" press tours. The hand-holding and "attentive" behavior speak louder than a publicist’s denial.
- Respect the Privacy: Both have grown children and significant legacies. Their refusal to confirm might simply be about protecting their families from the tabloid circus.
- Enjoy the Work: Whether they are sharing a bed or just a bottle of wine and a script, their professional collaboration is giving us some of the best television of the decade.
Basically, Meryl and Martin are living their best lives. Whether there's a ring involved or just a really high-quality friendship, they’ve reminded everyone that life doesn't stop being interesting, or romantic, at 75.
Check out the latest season of Only Murders in the Building to see the chemistry for yourself, or keep an eye on the New York theater scene—that’s where they usually pop up when they think nobody is looking.