Genre: Comedy thriller
Created by Craig Rosenberg
Written by Craig Rosenberg
Starring: Kaley Cuoco, Chris Messina, Tom Bateman, Priscilla Quintana, Liana Liberato & Natalia Dyer.
Composer: Sherri Chung
Executive producers: Craig Rosenberg, Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan, Alex Buono, Kaley Cuoco
Editors: Varun Viswanath; Chris A. Peterson; Nick Olah; Marissa Mueller
Producers: Kyle Weber; P. Todd Coe
Cinematography: Mark Schwartzbard, Michelle Lawler
Editors: Varun Viswanath, Chris A. Peterson, Nick Olah, Marissa Mueller
Production companies: Overlook Productions, Aggregate Films, Universal Content Productions
Channel: Peacock
Plot: A realtor, a former tennis star, and a plumber seize a unique opportunity to capitalize on America’s obsession with true crime.
Season 1 of Based on a True Story was insane.
Pros: I enjoyed how they took the topics of both true crime and podcast. As well balancing being a dark thriller and a comedy at the same time. Ava & Nathan were fun to watch. Tom Bateman was excellent as Matt Pierce. The kills are gruesome, and this series had me hooked to each episode so I can see what happens next?
Cons: A few too many dream scenarios that ruined any sort of drama happening at all. Rest of the side characters aren’t that likeable or relatable and I didn’t feel for any of the murders for the victims that much.
Casts & Characters:
Main:
- Kaley Cuoco as Ava Bartlett, a pregnant real estate agent who is passionate about true crime
- Chris Messina as Nathan Bartlett, Ava’s husband and a tennis coach at the Beverly Club who used to be a famous tennis player before a career-ending knee injury
- Tom Bateman as Matt Pierce, a plumber who befriends Nathan
- Priscilla Quintana as Ruby Gale, Ava’s affluent friend
- Liana Liberato as Tory Thompson, Ava’s younger sister who lives with her and Nathan
- Natalia Dyer as Chloe Lake, a bartender who catches the eye of Matt and Nathan at a bar one night
Recurring:
- Li Jun Li as Michelle, Nathan’s colleague at the country club
- Annabelle Dexter-Jones as Serena, one of Ava’s best friends
- Aisha Alfa as Carolyn, another of Ava’s best friends
- Alex Alomar Akpobome as Ryan, a client of Ava’s who is looking to buy a mansion
- June Diane Raphael as Lipinski sister #1
- Brandon Keener as Paul, Serena’s husband
- Miles Mussenden as Detective Quincy Burrell
- Pierson Fodé as Jamie
- Sebastian Quinn as Carlos, Ruby’s paramour
Guest:
- Jessica St. Clair as Lipinski sister #2
- Aaron Staton as Simon, Ruby’s husband
- Timm Sharp as Richard, Carolyn’s husband
- Yvonne Senat Jones as Detective Jessie Peterson
- Lizze Broadway as Dahlia Stone
- Ever Carradine as Melissa Lake, Chloe’s mother
- Claire Holt as a TV writer
- George Sear as Jacob, Tory’s Bumble date
I recommend watching this series on Sky Max.
Rating: 8 out of 10 Stars
Ryan Balkwill:
Resident TV reviewer,
Level Best Art Cafe