AceShowbiz - Only Murders in the Building has returned for its fifth season, continuing one of 2025’s most defining television trends. This year, small-screen hits increasingly showcase formidable grandmothers who often steal the spotlight. Now, Only Murders in the Building, the beloved crime comedy from Steve Martin and John Hoffman, adds its own badass grandma to this list, solidifying her as a standout archetype.

A key aspect of this phenomenon is the recurring presence of Italian grandmothers, or nonnas. This mirrors the heartwarming Netflix original movie, Nonnas, which spent weeks atop the platform’s global chart. Its four title characters are famously Italian grandmothers, at least two depicted as fiercely independent and unapologetic, especially when preparing traditional homemade recipes. This cultural representation enriches the broader trend.

The success of Nonnas isn't an isolated incident. 2025 has seen many successful TV releases feature memorable badass grandmas. For instance, Isabella Rossellini starred in Jurassic World: Chaos Theory season 3 as Nonna, an irritable, no-nonsense Italian grandmother. Initially reluctant to accept her granddaughter’s boyfriend and his pet dinosaur, Nonna’s fiery temperament ultimately saves the day, rescuing Smoothie from a larger predator. These characters consistently prove bold, outspoken, and pivotal.

The trend extends beyond Italian matriarchs, embracing diverse portrayals. Rhea Perlman delivered a hilarious turn as Dottie, a curmudgeonly and often embarrassing Jewish grandma, in Lena Dunham’s new sitcom, Too Much. Her performance highlights the humorous and sometimes inconvenient aspects of the archetype. Even real-life tough grandmothers are gaining recognition, with Oxygen’s upcoming true-crime docuseries, Killer Grannies, presented by June Squibb, renowned for her role in Thelma. This variety underscores the wide appeal of such characters.

Jumping on this popular bandwagon for its fifth season, Only Murders in the Building introduces its own nonna character: Nonna Caccimelio. As the mother of the deceased mobster, Nicky Caccimelio, her initial appearance in the season’s first episode immediately establishes her formidable nature. Viewers are introduced to her as she violently carves a piece of meat, an act instantly signaling her as a woman not to be trifled with. Her presence ensures the "badass grandma" trend continues, adding a familiar yet fresh dynamic to the Arconia’s latest mystery.