Kaley Cuoco Open to “Based on a True Story” Revival Despite Cancellation
Despite generally positive reviews, the Peacock comedy-thriller Based on a True Story ended after just two seasons, leaving fans wondering about its future. Star and executive producer Kaley Cuoco has expressed her disappointment with the show’s premature end, but remains open to a potential third season should the opportunity arise.
The series, which followed Cuoco’s character Ava Bartlett as she navigated a true crime podcast and a suspicious neighbor, concluded with several unresolved plotlines. According to reports, the cancellation has sparked debate about the challenges facing streaming series in the current television landscape.
Cuoco recently shared her feelings about the show’s cancellation during an interview promoting her new series, Vanished. “I loved that series so much,” she stated, adding, “And when someone tells me they liked it, it warms my heart because I don’t think it got the love it deserved.” She emphasized the enjoyment she found in the project, describing the plot as “crazy” but ultimately captivating.
The production of Based on a True Story also held personal significance for Cuoco, as she was pregnant during filming. The on-screen chemistry with co-star Chris Messina, who played her husband Nathan, was a highlight for many viewers. Cuoco recalled a particularly amusing anecdote: Tom Bateman, who portrayed the serial killer Matt Pierce, told her boyfriend, “Literally do whatever you want in that series,” highlighting the creative freedom she experienced on set.
Despite the show’s cancellation, Cuoco hasn’t ruled out a return. “I think it might be over,” she admitted, “But, listen, if someone called me and said, ‘Let’s do a third season,’ I would do it in two seconds.” She described the project as “one of the joys of my life,” a sentiment that clearly demonstrates her continued passion for the series.
The fate of Based on a True Story raises broader questions about television consumption in the streaming era. The second season garnered positive reviews, achieving an 83% approval rating among critics and 75% among audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the ultimate decision likely hinged on viewership numbers, data that Peacock, like many streaming services, does not regularly disclose.
Cuoco remains optimistic that the show could find a renewed audience in the future. “I think it’s one of those shows that might get more attention in a few years,” she suggested. “People discover these weird little gems and say ‘Oh my God, I’ve never seen that.’ These shows never die. They get discovered at some point.”
In the meantime, Cuoco is focusing on her new project, Vanished, which premieres on MGM+ on February 1. This four-episode limited series shifts to a more dramatic mystery genre, with Cuoco playing Alice Monroe, a woman whose boyfriend disappears during a trip to Paris.
Whether Based on a True Story will ultimately receive a second life remains uncertain. The history of television is filled with both unexpected revivals and missed opportunities. For now, fans can only hope that a studio executive will heed Cuoco’s enthusiastic response and pick up the phone. She’s already said she would respond “in two seconds.” The ball is now firmly in the studios’ court.
