One couple’s love of true-crime podcasts is going too far with Based on a True Story. The comedy thriller series revolves around a pregnant realtor and her husband, a former tennis star, as they discover the identity of a serial killer, but rather than turn him in, they look to team with him to create a podcast chronicling his story.
Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina lead the ensemble cast of Based on a True Story alongside Tom Bateman, Priscilla Quintana, Liana Liberato, Natalia Dyer, Alex Alomar Akpobome, Aisha Alfa, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, and Li Jun Li. Hailing from The Boys executive producer Craig Rosenberg, the series is another fresh twist on the murder mystery genre chock full of shocking twists and hilarious satire.
Ahead of the show’s premiere, Screen Rant spoke exclusively with stars Liana Liberato and Priscilla Quintana to discuss Based on a True Story, Cuoco’s heartfelt leadership on set, and their characters’ arcs.
Liana Liberato & Priscilla Quintana on Based on a True Story
Screen Rant: I watched Based on a True Story over the weekend, and I loved it! What about the show or the script really caught your interest?
Liana Liberato: Weirdly, I say this lightly, but I feel like I related a little bit to it. I, too, have quite an obsession with true crime, and I think that Kaley’s character very much emulates our society right now. And, I was like, “Wow, I think that a lot of people are gonna get a kick out of this.” Also, just the script tonally had such a clear voice to it, and I think that translates very well on the screen, as well. It was just a really, really good script, and the cast is amazing, and it just felt like a jackpot getting to be a part of it.
Priscilla Quintana: 1,000 percent. I’m also obsessed with true crime, I love listening to podcasts, I love all the documentaries, Dateline, everything, all of it. So, it didn’t feel like I was stepping too far outside of my day-to-day normal life, to be honest. On top of that, it was such a fun read, it’s so snappy, it’s so quick, it’s funny, it’s dark. It’s like six different genres in one that blends seamlessly, so it was a really fun read. It was even funner to make, and I hope you guys love it.
I especially love the unique dynamics you both have with Kaley in particular throughout this show, Liana as a sister, and Priscilla as a really close friend. What was it like building those bonds with her, both off-camera as well as on?
Liana Liberato: It was the easiest thing in the world. She is truly a comedic genius, and there’s nothing more intimidating than walking on set being like, “I can’t believe I’m about to go toe-to-toe with this amazing actress.” She could not have been more warm and fun and playful, she just is so down to play and do different things. Also, she’s just a great leader. It makes so much sense when stepping onto the set, knowing her history in television, why she has the opportunities that she does, because she’s wildly talented and such a lovely person.
Priscilla Quintana: To everyone on set, cast, crew, no matter your job, she treats everyone like they’re so important, so that was amazing to see. When I first signed on to the show, she called me — we shared the same agent, actually, so I had heard so much about her already. So, she called me and she was like, “We’re going to be best friends, we’re going to eat all the Taco Bell, we’re going on a hike.” I was like, “When?”, she was like, “Tomorrow,” I was like, “Okay, will you bring the Taco Bell to the hike?” [Laughs]
Liana Liberato: That sounds great. [Laughs]
Priscilla Quintana: She was so sweet, and so kind and so funny. Even the hard days on set, she has a great attitude, she’s a great leader, and I learned so much just from being around her.
Both of your characters, as individuals, have so many unique layers. What was that like for each of you to get to the heart of your character and really find who they were as the show went on?
Liana Liberato: How did you find the heart of your character, Priscilla? [Chuckles]
Priscilla Quintana: I think that she has such an interesting arc, my character. She starts off as the best friend, and she’s so fun and outgoing, and you’re like, “Oh, I want to be friends with her,” right? Then a couple things happen and you’re like, “Oh, okay, maybe it was just a bad day for her,” and then a couple more things happen and you’re like, “Oh my God, why is she friends with her?” We have a very interesting arc for my character, that was so much fun to play, but also because she’s so fabulous on the outside, but she’s hurting so much on the inside. It was really fun to be able to explore that, that’s where my heart is. [Chuckles]
Liana Liberato: You do a great job at it, honestly, you plant it so it feels very strategic throughout the season, it’s really cool to watch. I feel like Tory, her heart is just right frickin there. She very much leads with her heart, I feel she wants to do good in the world. She is a bit of a moral compass on the show, and that kind of causes its own obstacles and problems for Nathan and Ava, unintentionally. It was very nice and refreshing to get to play her.
Priscilla Quintana: We’re both disruptors, we’re both disruptors in our own ways, but hers is completely unintentional, and mine is extraordinarily intentional. So it’s a very interesting dynamic, same but different.
Liana, we pointed out my Scream shirt earlier. I know timelines are always all over the place on these productions, where did this land in terms of Scream 6, and how did the productions compare, given they have a few similar inklings?
Liana Liberato: Yeah, I don’t know why I keep falling into these serial killer projects, I don’t know what it is. [Laughs] It was actually closely after I wrapped Scream, and then I immediately started auditioning for this, but it totally feels so different. I know that it kind of deals with killers, but, one, my character feels so different to Quinn, and this is a comedy, and it’s just it’s very, very entertaining. The only thing that I will say there is some similarity to is it is a very meta, satirical outlook on our society and how we approach difficult situations. I do think Scream has little tidbits of that, as well, but I think Based on a True Story is very risky, and ballsy, and out there, and so unpredictable.
About Based on a True Story
A dark comedic thriller, Based on a True Story is about a realtor, a plumber, and a former tennis star whose lives unexpectedly collide, exposing America’s obsession with true crime and murder.
Check out our other Based on a True Story interview with Tom Bateman.
Based on a True Story begins streaming on Peacock on June 8.
