How Melissa Fumero Prepared to Make a Film Based on a True Story of a Deadly Incident

Based on a True Story it was the first time Melissa Fumero he had the chance to die on screen – and he got up and accepted it.

“It was my first fatality. I was very happy and very scared,” said Fumero, 42, speaking to himself Us Weekly after season 2 it was first shown on Pigogo. “You want to do it right [even though] you’ve never done it before. So I’ve been watching popular death scenes – like falling down YouTube – and just trying [to pull it off].”

Fumero informed the runner Annie Weisman to tell him about his character’s fate, he added, “They were also very generous that they told me a week or two before. They said, ‘This is what will happen, you will die like this and you will be stabbed. And these are all the things that will happen to your body.’”

Based on a True Storywhich premiered in 2023, follows fictional couple Ava (Kaley Cuoco) and Nathan (Chris Messina) as they meet serial killer Matt (Tom Bateman) to start a podcast and make money from a real criminal practice. Season 2 ups the ante by having Matt get engaged to Ava’s sister, Tory (Liana Liberato), while trying to stop killing people.

Fumero joined the latest season as Drew’s mother, who is Ava’s friend – and possibly a detective working on the West Side Ripper Case. It is eventually revealed, however, that Drew is actually Olivia – Matt’s ex-wife. As Olivia explains why she wanted to take Matt down, Tory stabs her to death.

“What I didn’t expect was how tricky it would be to cough up blood,” Fumero said. Us. “So I don’t think the first couple that took that was a good one. Then I got it, but it’s a lot stronger than I thought it would be. I had to capture it somewhere and make it look natural and real.”

The actor felt extremely supported after coming on board for the second season, adding, “It was really fun and they took really good care of me. Everyone was really supportive and funny that night. So – surprisingly – probably one of my fondest memories of the show is doing my death scene with them because it was really fun. “

While building her season 2 arc, Fumero benefited from knowing who Drew really is.

“I really thanked them for giving me all that information before I started. Knowing where it’s going and where all the curves will be, informed my decisions,” he explained. “It’s very exciting as an actor to have privacy and always have it in the scenes.”

Fumero wasn’t sure if his performance would have been the same had he been “in the dark” about where the story was going, noting, “I might have made a completely different choice.” So there was always me in the back of my mind. It’s nice to choose the times when you want to lean on the secret.”

Before Based on a True StoryFumero rose to fame with his role on the NBC police sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Fumero said Us he didn’t deliberately choose shows with murder and mystery – but he didn’t care about the coincidences.

“They just came up with me. My new show coming out in February — Grosse Pointe Garden Society – and it’s a killer show,” he shared. “Therefore, there is something mysterious about me. But I’ll take it. It’s the kind of music I enjoy and I’m not complaining.”

Fumero also weighed his chances of a comeback Based on a True Story despite his character’s death. The dark humor found ways to revive people through hallucinations and flashbacks, which resonates directly with Fumero’s line.

“I had a great time with this group of people. I love them all. I am a fan of all of them. In any capacity, if they wanted me to come back and if they got a season 3, it would be very exciting,” he said. “Whatever we have to do to make this happen, I have to be there. I’m here if they want me.”

Based on a True Story currently broadcasting on Peacock.