Summary

• Based on a True Story season 2 is confirmed, but filming cannot begin until the SAG-AFTRA strikes are resolved, so a release date is unclear.
• The main cast members, Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina, are expected to return for season 2, along with other returning and new cast members.
• The story of season 2 will address the aftermath of the first season's cliffhanger, including the couple's role in covering up a murder and the killer's new podcast spinoff.

Based on a True Story season 2 is on its way to Peacock, with Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina returning for the next chapter in the dark comedy thriller. Despite the title, Peacock’s Based on a True Story is not a true story. Rather, the series starring Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory) and Chris Messina (Chris Messina) is inspired by the massive popularity of content about true crimes and serial killers. In Based on a True Story, Ava (Cuoco) and Nathan (Messina) are a struggling couple who discover the identity of the West Side Ripper, a serial killer terrorizing their neighborhood. Instead of alerting the police, the couple proposes a scheme for the killer to collaborate on their podcast if he agrees to stop killing.

The climactic ending of the first season sets up more chaos to ensue in Based on a True Story season 2, growing Peacock’s slate of crime series that includes Rian Johnson’s Poker Face. The first season ends with Nathan and Ava’s true crime empire being destroyed online by criticisms of the couple giving a serial killer a platform, leading the West Side Ripper to take the content creation into his own hands. With Nathan and Ava being too far into their own mess to find a clean way out, the thrilling TV show streaming on Peacock leaves off with high anticipation for Based on a True Story season 2’s teased story and character returns.

Most Recent Based On A True Story Season 2 News

The latest Based on a True Story season 2 news arrived on October 12, 2023, when Peacock confirmed its renewal. This was welcome news for viewers, especially after the cliffhanger ending of the first season. As positive as this update on the dark Kaley Cuoco-led comedy is, however, it does come with a caveat. Filming on Based on a True Story season 2 cannot begin until the still-ongoing SAG AFTRA strikes are resolved. This means Peacock haven't been able to provide a production timeline or — more importantly — a possible release date window.

Based On A True Story Season 2 Is Confirmed

Peacock has renewed Based on a True Story season 2, with the confirmation arriving in October 2023. The dark Kaley Cuoco comedy will once more be a Peacock exclusive. Somewhat unconventionally for Peacock, all eight episodes of Based on a True Story season 1 dropped at once, and it's expected that the same will be true of season 2 given that the model worked for the show. Due to the SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP still having not resolved their dispute at the time of the announcement a filming window for Based on a True Story is unclear.

Based On A True Story Season 2 Cast

Although a few of Based on a True Story season 1’s characters have been killed off already, the finale sets up the returns of several cast members and characters. The cast of Based on a True Story season 2 cast will likely still be led by Kaley Cuoco as Ava and Chris Messina as Nathan, as the Bartlett's are central to the show's story. It's expected that returning cast members joining them in the second season will include Tom Bateman as Matt/The West Side Killer, and Liana Liberato as Tory, Ava’s sister.

Also expected to return for Based on a True Story season 2’s cast is Aaron Staton as Simon, who walked in on Ava and Nathan attempting to hide the body of his late wife Ruby. Based on a True Story season 2’s cast would also require some prominent new faces, as season 1’s ending set up Matt to collaborate with other serial killers on a new podcast. This also means that new victims would be cast, potentially with more big names similar to Stranger Things’ Natalia Dyer, who portrayed the bartender killed by the West Side Ripper. However, the full cast for Based on a True Story season 2 likely won’t be revealed until well after the scripts are written.

Based On A True Story Season 2 Story Details

The Based on a True Story season 2 story will pick up after the first season's cliffhanger ending, though no upcoming plot details have been confirmed by Craig Rosenberg so far. Based on a True Story season 1’s ending sets up several big stories for a second season, including whether Nathan and Ava will be apprehended for their role in covering up Ruby’s murder and failing to report the West Side Ripper to the police. Since Simon spotted them hiding Ruby’s body, it seems he’ll be the next target of Matt’s disturbing kill spree.

Based on a True Story season 2 also must contend 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 collaborating with him — will presumably come to light in the sophomore season. Adding to the bizarre tale is the fact that Matt is interviewing new serial killers to work with him on a podcast spinoff, which digs Nathan and Ava into an even deeper hole. Based on a True Story season 2’s plot would also seemingly include the birth of Ava and Nathan’s baby, thus further complicating their reluctant role as accomplices to a serial killer’s crimes.