Based on a True Story is a comedy-thriller series on Peacock that parodies the cultural fascination with true crime. The show features Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina as Ava and Nathan, a couple who find out the identity of the West Side Ripper, a notorious serial killer in their area.
Rather than reporting him to the authorities, they offer him a deal: he can be their podcast guest if he stops his murderous spree. Will the show return for a second season? Despite its name, Based on a True Story, it is entirely fictional and inspired by the popularity of true crime media.
The first season of Based on a True Story ends with a dramatic twist that paves the way for more turmoil in the second season, which could expand Peacock’s portfolio of crime shows that also features Rian Johnson’s Poker Face.
The season finale shows Nathan and Ava’s podcast empire crumbling under the backlash of giving a platform to a serial killer, who decides to take over the content production himself. Nathan and Ava are too deep in their own trouble to escape easily, and the suspenseful series on Peacock ends with high expectations for the second season’s hinted plot and character developments.
Will there be a ‘Based on a True Story’ season 2?
Peacock has not yet renewed Based on a True Story season 2, even though season 1 ends with several unresolved issues. The fate of season 2 will likely depend on the streaming performance of the first season’s premiere, which has to be measured and evaluated.
Unlike other Peacock shows, Based on a True Story season 1 released all eight episodes at once, which means that the show’s success will have a different timeline from weekly shows on the platform. Therefore, Peacock may need more time to assess the series’ growth ratings after its initial launch.
Moreover, there seem to be more delays in streamers announcing renewals of TV shows as they wait for the hopeful resolution of the WGA strike. Taking into account all the factors, the announcement of season 2’s renewal probably won’t come until August 2023 at the earliest.
While Poker Face season 2 was renewed after only three weeks on air, the Peacock Original series Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin was renewed two months after its premiere, whereas Bupkis still hasn’t received a cancellation or renewal decision several weeks after its finale.
Based on a True Story Episode Count & Release Date
Peacock has not yet confirmed Based on a True Story season 2, so there is no official release date for the comedy-thriller series’ second season. However, even if Based on a True Story is renewed, the series will probably not return soon.
It will also likely take more time for a script to be written and have the full story planned out, especially since writer and show creator, Craig Rosenberg has not revealed any details on a possible second season. However, the dramatic and unresolved ending of Based on a True Story season 1 implies he may have envisioned a multi-season arc.
While most Peacock TV shows have a delay of one year between seasons, Based on a True Story’s gap would likely be relatively longer. If the show is renewed by Peacock, then Based on a True Story season 2’s release date probably won’t come until at least fall 2024.
Given that the first season only has eight episodes averaging 29 minutes, it hopefully won’t take much longer than a year and a half to finish the second season if following a similar format.
Who will star in Based on a True Story season 2?
Some of Based on a True Story season 1’s characters have already died, but the finale sets up the return of several cast members and characters. If season 2 happens, it seems likely that the returning cast and characters will include Kaley Cuoco as Ava, Chris Messina as Nathan, Tom Bateman as Matt/The West Side Killer, and Liana Liberato as Tory, Ava’s sister.
Another expected returning cast member is Aaron Staton as Simon, who discovered Ava and Nathan trying to hide the body of his late wife Ruby.
Based on a True Story season 2’s cast would also need some prominent new faces, as season 1’s ending set up Matt to work with other serial killers on a new podcast.
This also means that new victims will be cast, potentially with more big names similar to Stranger Things’ Natalia Dyer, who played the bartender killed by the West Side Ripper in the series premiere. However, the full cast for season 2 probably won’t be announced until well after the scripts are written.
Based on a True Story Season 2 Plot
The most convincing evidence for season 2 is the way the first season ends, though Craig Rosenberg has not confirmed any plot details so far.
The ending of season 1 sets up several big stories for a second season, including whether Nathan and Ava will be arrested for their role in concealing Ruby’s murder and failing to report the West Side Ripper to the police. Since Simon saw them hiding Ruby’s body, it seems he’ll be the next victim of Matt’s gruesome killing spree.
Based on a True Story season 2 also has to deal with the reveal that Ava’s sister Tory has been dating Matt. While Tory doesn’t seem to know Matt’s killer identity, this information – and the fact that Ava has been working with him – will likely come out in the second season.
Adding to the strange story is the fact that Matt is interviewing new serial killers to join him on a podcast spinoff. Season 2’s plot would also seemingly include the birth of Ava and Nathan’s baby, thus further complicating their unwilling role as accomplices to a serial killer’s crimes.
About Based on a True Story
Based on a True Story is an American comedy thriller created by Craig Rosenberg, and stars Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina. The series premiered on Peacock on June 8, 2023.
The series follows Ava and Nathan, a couple who discover the identity of a serial killer. However, instead of handing him over to the authorities, they strike a deal with him by offering him a chance to appear on their podcast.
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