Based on a True Story Star Says Season 2 ‘Is Totally Different’

by

As a film enthusiast with a penchant for unraveling enigmatic characters and their intricate narratives, I must say that Tom Bateman has truly captured my attention. His ability to embody complex figures who keep audiences guessing is nothing short of mesmerizing.

Don’t you love teasing a new movie or series to your pals who haven’t seen it yet, and dishing something like, “Watch out for ____, he’s not what he seems?” The juicy saying rings true in a number of high-profile projects that have hit the masses of late, such as Magpie, a project developed by Daisy Ridley (who stars) and written by her husband, Tom Bateman. Bateman is perhaps most well-known in front of the camera, though, thanks to a number of buzzy projects such as Cold Pursuit, Thirteen Lives, and Kenneth Branagh’s new Agatha Christie films. He also leads the Peacock series Based on a True Story with Kaley Cuoco, which is about to return for a second season. MovieWeb recently caught up with Bateman amid the release of Magpie to learn more about the unique character parallels between that and his hit TV show.

It turns out that while I was working on another project, I wasn’t physically present on the set of Magpie. Instead, I would watch the daily footage every day. What struck me was realizing that my character wasn’t what it seemed; he was deceiving the audience into thinking something else. But I enjoyed being a part of this show immensely. As the saying goes, “The villain always gets the best lines.” I feel incredibly fortunate to have such an engaging character to portray and the chance to reprise him for a second season was truly exciting.

Given the numerous shows that weren’t chosen this round, it was truly unique and heartening to be among those Universal chose to renew. Our joy knew no bounds, for we knew there were still many steps left to take. The concept was intriguing and enjoyable, and it felt as if there was a whole track ahead yet unexplored.

Bateman hinted at some unexpected changes for season two of “Based on a True Story” on Peacock, with Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina also starring. As he put it, “It won’t continue where you anticipate. Instead, it takes a completely new turn.” Essentially, the second season doesn’t follow directly from the cliffhanger in the first one; instead, it starts somewhere fresh and different. This twist is designed to confuse viewers, and by the end, when you see what has happened to my character, he will look and act quite differently.

“It’s exciting too because he’s engaging in numerous games, and we have fresh, talented writers joining us in the process. Writing isn’t something that happens all at once; they create as they go along, which makes being a part of it intriguing since you’re never quite sure what will happen next.

People Chasing ‘Shiny Objects’

During this period, the movie Magpie showcases Bateman’s writing abilities, and he shared with us the origin of its intriguing title. In reference to the bird species, Bateman stated that in the U.K., magpies are attracted to shiny objects. “They don’t understand what these objects are,” Bateman explained, “but they recognize their shine and find themselves drawn to them.” He went on to say:

If someone is likened to a magpie, it means they are easily attracted to something new, particularly if it’s flashy or attention-grabbing. I found this analogy fitting not just for one character in this story, but for all of them. The question then arises: Who or what serves as the shiny object? Who among them is most like the magpie?

Read More

2024-11-04 14:31