True crime fans unite! Get ready for Season 2 of ‘Based on a True Story’
True crime fans unite! Get ready for Season 2 of ‘Based on a True Story’
Parenthood, murder, and podcasting — just another day for the Bartletts in season two of “Based on a True Story.”
Kaley Cuoco has found her stride post “Big Bang Theory,” first with “The Flight Attendant” (season one is awesome), and now with the returning dark comedy series, “Based on a True Story.” All eight episodes of the second season of “Based on a True Story” will drop on Thursday, Nov. 21 on Peacock. This was one of my favorite shows of 2023 (it lands No. 3 on my list of favorite comedy murder mystery TV shows on streaming), so let’s get you prepped for season two with everything you need to know.
Everything You Need to Know About ‘Based on a True Story’ Season 2:
What Happened at the End of ‘Based on a True Story’ Season 1?
Spoiler Alert. There are spoilers below for Season 1 of “Based on a True Story.”
For those wondering what happened in Season 1 of “Based on a True Story,” here’s a quick recap. The show introduces us to Ava and Nathan Bartlett, a married couple in Los Angeles struggling to make ends meet – with the added pressure of a baby on the way. Ava is a real estate agent (and true crime enthusiast), and Nathan is a former tennis star turned struggling coach.
Things take a dark turn when they realize their plumber – Matt – could be the notorious serial killer, the Westside Ripper. But instead of turning him in, Ava has a better idea – start a true crime podcast with him as the star. Matt is in, and the podcast quickly turns into a smash hit once Matt takes the reigns. As the money pours in, Ava and Nathan try to keep Matt in line (aka not killing anyone) by threatening to turn him into the police, but Matt knows they are in just as deep as he is… and he’s not going to play by the rules.
By the season finale, things unravel when their friend Ruby Gale becomes suspicious and uncovers Matt’s true identity. In a shocking twist, Ruby is murdered, and her body is left on the Bartletts’ doorstep as a gruesome message. Ava and Nathan find themselves in over their heads, forced into a frantic clean-up to erase any evidence linking them to the crime. They are scrubbing bloodstains and hiding incriminating items when Simon, Ruby’s husband, unexpectedly arrives.
In a tense confrontation, he notices the mess and demands, “Whose blood is that?”—leaving Ava and Nathan caught between their lies and their friend. The season closes with this cliffhanger, making us ask how far these two will go to protect their dark (and lucrative) secret.
If a short synopsis isn’t enough to get you ready for Season 2, you can stream the first season of “Based on a True Story” on Peacock now.
Based on a True Story
The lives of a realtor, a plumber and a former tennis star unexpectedly collide, exposing America’s obsession with true crime, murder and the slow-close toilet seat.
What is ‘Based on a True Story’ Season 2 About?
In the second season of “Based on a True Story,” Ava and Nathan Bartlett are adjusting to life as new parents. Ava is trying to leave her true crime obsession behind and get back into real estate, while Nathan focuses on coaching tennis.
Their world is turned upside down when Ava’s sister, Tory, reveals she’s engaged to Matt Pierce—the Westside Ripper. This shock to the system forces Ava and Nathan to confront their past with Matt – who claims he’s a “changed” man and no longer killing people. But when new murders start popping up, Ava and Nathan can’t help but wonder if he’s back to his old ways.
As they worry about Tory’s safety, Ava and Nathan are pulled back into the dangerous true crime world they tried to escape. Ava’s desperate to know the truth about the new killings, while Matt says he’s got the same goal as them – find the killer. That problem is, it very well could be him.
Who Are the Main Characters of ‘Based on a True Story’ Season 2?
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Ava Bartlett: Played by Kaley Cuoco, Ava is a real estate agent and true crime enthusiast. In Season 2, she balances motherhood with trying to find the killer behind the new crop of murders.
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Nathan Bartlett: Played by Chris Messina, Nathan is Ava’s husband and a former tennis star turned coach.
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Matt Pierce: Tom Bateman returns as Matt, the charming yet dangerous plumber known as the Westside Ripper. His engagement to Ava’s sister, Tory, along with the suspicion that he’s back to killing people, fuels Season 2.
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Tory Thompson: Liana Liberato plays Tory, Ava’s younger sister. Her engagement to Matt becomes a nightmare for Ava and Nathan.
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Drew: Melissa Fumero joins the cast as Drew, a new friend Ava meets through a mommy group. Drew provides some normalcy and distraction for Ava amidst the chaos.
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Simon Gale: Aaron Staton plays Simon, the husband of the late Ruby Gale. His interactions with Ava and Nathan add layers of tension, especially following the Season 1 finale.
When Will ‘Based on a True Story’ Season 2 Episodes Be Released?
You can watch all eight episodes of the second season of “Based on a True Story” on Thursday, Nov. 21 only on Peacock. All the episodes will be available at once so you can get your true-crime binge on all weekend.
How to Catch Up on ‘Based on a True Story’
If you’re looking to catch up on “Based on a True Story” before Season 2, Peacock has you covered. Every episode from Season 1 is available to stream on-demand. Peacock has two tiers: Peacock Premium costs $8 per month with ads. If you want to upgrade to an ad-free experience, you can get Peacock Premium Plus for $14 per month, which will also get you a stream of your local NBC feed in all 210 markets. There’s also a Peacock Free tier now available to former paying customers, which includes 7,500 hours of programming including next-day access to first-year NBCU shows, select movies, and complete classic series.
Peacock
Peacock is a subscription video streaming service from NBCUniversal that includes original shows, blockbuster movies, and classic television series. Peacock is home to “Yellowstone,” and “The Office,” as well as original hits like “Poker Face” and “Bel-Air.” You can also watch live sports including NFL, MLB, WWE, Olympics, Premier League, NASCAR, French Open, College Football and Basketball, and PGA Tour. Premium Plus subscribers can stream their local NBC feed in all 210 markets.