[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Based on a True Story, Season 2.]
Based mostly on a True Story‘s second season was full of twists and turns, one in all which was the introduction of Drew (Melissa Fumero), a lady who befriends true-crime obsessive Ava (Kaley Cuoco).
As Ava dug deeper into attempting to uncover the id of the latest serial killer galavanting round city, Drew was doing a little meddling of her personal. However as an alternative of being the detective Ava thinks her to be, she is definitely Olivia, the ex of Westside Ripper Matt (Tom Bateman). It seems that Olivia wished to finish Matt’s homicide spree by catching him within the midst of against the law and revealing proof to authorities.
Realizing the menace Olivia is making, Ava’s sister and Matt’s fiancee, Tory (Liana Liberato) stabbed the lady, killing her. Whereas Olivia’s time was short-lived, Fumero’s newest position actually packed a punch. Under, Fumero opens up about Drew’s twisty character arc, enjoying into her villainous aspect after her run on Brooklyn 9-9, and hopes for a Season 3 return.
Colleen Hayes / Peacock
What was it concerning the position and Based mostly on a True Story that drew you into Season 2?
Melissa Fumero: Effectively, I used to be a fan of the present and a fan of Kaley’s, so it was a extremely thrilling name to get. When Annie Weissman and Jaclyn Moore informed me all of the twists and turns of the character I acquired actually excited. It was one thing that felt very completely different from something I’ve achieved, that might be actually difficult and enjoyable to play. Being a fan of this unimaginable forged, I used to be excited to go and play with them.
After I chatted with Kaley and Chris [Messina], they talked about you obtained scripts one after the other. How did you are feeling about your character’s arc and do you know the double life she was main earlier than stepping in entrance of the digicam?
I did. Annie Weissman and Jaclyn Moore had been beneficiant and informed me the entire arc of the character and all of the twists and turns earlier than I began, which was wonderful and so invaluable to have as an actor since you will be actually particular [about] holding that secret and selecting moments once you perhaps lean into it a bit. I used to be actually grateful to them that they gave me all that info beforehand as a result of I may need made fully completely different decisions in a few of these scenes had I not recognized.
Was it enjoyable embracing a villain position after enjoying such a goody two-shoes-type character as Amy in Brooklyn 9-9?
It’s the dream, as an actor, to get to play various things on a regular basis. And so this positively felt like an individual who was mysterious and form of a foul particular person enjoying this lengthy con with Ava. It was actually enjoyable to discover these sides of a personality whereas nonetheless attempting to make her really feel grounded and actual enjoying inside that area they usually wrote her so properly too. That additionally made my job a lot simpler. It’s enjoyable to play unhealthy. Everyone says it, [but] it’s true.
Colleen Hayes / Peacock
Ava is clearly mad when she learns about Drew’s true id as Olivia. Do you assume there’s any jealousy there as properly although, particularly since Olivia walked into crime scenes with confidence and authority?
I believe there’s in all probability somewhat little bit of like, “Dammit, I want I had considered that,” form of power there. It’s attention-grabbing… What I like about the best way they wrote these two characters and their dynamic is that, if a few of these circumstances didn’t exist, they in all probability could be nice associates, and I believe Ava would get pleasure from being round somebody like that. [Someone who is] ballsy and type of simply does no matter she needs. I believe there was positively some enjoyable little little bit of jealousy there.
We knew Matt had a son, however didn’t actually know what occurred to his ex till now. Do you assume he had any affection for Olivia? He appeared fairly upset when she was killed.
I believe there’s a stage of care there. I believe after I learn these scenes, I used to be like, “Oh, that is a lot extra attention-grabbing [because] there was actual love there and an actual connection.” She in all probability is the one particular person in that group of people that actually is aware of who he’s and is aware of all his tips. When she calls out the tales that he tells to achieve empathy from folks, you understand she is aware of the actual man. And I believed that was a extremely attention-grabbing angle to come back from, not simply they acquired pregnant and knew one another once they had been youthful. There’s perhaps a whole love story there. [That is how] I performed it and the way I type of believed it, like this was her old flame and, I’m like, “Is she mad that he turned a serial killer? Or is she mad that he turned a serial killer with out her? Was this a Bonnie and Clyde factor? Is that what the heartbreak was?” I’ve so many questions.
There are such a lot of questions. Your character could have died, however would you prefer to return to the present if it comes again for a 3rd season?
Pay attention, I like everybody who works on [the show]. So in the event that they ever want me in any capability, it could be a cheerful sure.
What was it like filming your demise scene?
It was my first demise scene, which is loopy to say since I’ve been working for therefore lengthy, however often, my characters get married and don’t die. So this was actually a twist for me. I used to be very grateful to Alex [Buono], the director who can be a producer on the present. [They] gave me a heads up a couple of week or two earlier than we did that scene, which was additionally very beneficiant and nice for me to have. However yeah, I used to be actually nervous. Everybody took such excellent care of me. You understand, it’s quite a bit tougher than you assume to carry pretend blood in your mouth after which cough it up naturally.
Based mostly on a True Story, Seasons 1-2, Streaming now, Peacock