An Interview with Executive Producer Michael Costigan from ‘Based on a True Story’

BASED ON A TRUE STORY -- Based on a True Story FYC Event -- Pictured: (l-r) Tom Bateman, Actor, Michael Costigan, Executive Producer at The Aster on May 18, 2024 -- (Photo by: Todd Williamson/Peacock)

Michael Costigan is an accomplished producer that has helped to give life to some incredible shows and movies over the years. Currently, he serves as an Executive Producer on the Peacock series, Based on a True Story, and we had the honor of sitting down with Michael to discuss season two of the show.
 
John Betancourt: I'd love to start by getting to know what it means to be to be back for a second season.
 
Michael Costigan: Well, it's so fun, because if anyone saw season one and saw what it's like to watch on screen, Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina, that's what it's like to actually work with them as well. So, it was a giant pleasure, and I'm really excited for people to see it, because, by the way, we didn't know what was going to happen at the beginning of season two. We were like, “Well, how do they get out of it?” and then, you're about to see or do they get out of it?
 
John Betancourt: Speaking of the fact that you're back for a second season, obviously, audiences love the show. I love this show. And I'm very curious why you think as an EP, it resonates well with audiences.
 
Michael Costigan: Well, I you know, as a producer, you gotta think like, if I think this is really funny and entertaining. I hope the audience will too. And what I thought from the very beginning, and what it feels like the audience really loved, what we did in the beginning was... true crime, we're obsessed with true crime is also insane. Why are we following these stories and obsessed with killers and murder and the most terrible things? And we can't get enough of it. And so, to watch these characters who kind of feel like us, but let's be honest, funnier, you know, and maybe not for you, for me, but you know. But basically, watching them go down this rabbit hole, and you're rooting for them to, like, do crazy stuff and do a podcast and get away with it. And it goes further and further. The idea that a second season, and we got so lucky, Annie Weissman, who did the show, Physical, one of my absolute favorites, loved the show.
 
She was a fan, and came on board for season two, and she and her team of writers decided, how do we even go further? They have a baby now, of course, and how do we take this to a place that no one is going to even expect? And I really hope the audience has fun with that and thinks that we achieve that goal, because I certainly did. I literally, Annie was so funny about it. She would -- she was pitching the season, and then said, “All right, I'm not gonna tell you what happens after six.” I said, “Well, don't I have to know, as the producer?” She’s like, “You need to read it.” And I remember literally shouting at the end of six, like, “No!” I had no idea. So, if she can surprise us, I think the audience is gonna have a really good time.
 
John Betancourt: Their lives are indeed way funnier than mine, so you're absolutely 110% correct there. Also, what does it mean you to be telling such an original story, because this has just been so refreshing to watch.
 
Michael Costigan: Oh, that's great to hear. I mean, that's how we felt when we first heard the idea of the show. So, I was lucky enough to hear -- our partner in our company is Jason Bateman, who also like, I feel like, if we can, like, tell Jason something that he feels like he hasn't heard before, so, when the creator of the show came in and said, “I want to do a show about this, and it's loosely based on this crazy experience, etc, etc,” Jason and I, our jaws hit the ground. “What? How do they do this? How do they keep getting away with it, etc, etc.” So, I think if we could be that surprised, we thought, all right, well, I think we have a shot here to do something for the audience that really feels original and unique and can be both a thriller and Hitchcockian and funny at the same time.
 
John Betancourt: it's also very intelligent too. I love the many layers and themes that are present in the show. And I'm curious for season two, if there's a particular theme or message, you'd like the audience to take away from it, what would it be this season
 
Michael Costigan: That is such a good question. Well, season one, I think, really got into that duality of true crime. And I think season two, when you have a child, it asks you, who are you, who do you want to be? What are you telling your child? Who are you? And these are both people who you know, as we meet Chris and Kaley in season two, who are going to give up what they were doing, but who are they at this stage of life? And I really think this is a season of, who are you? Who do you want to be? What does your life look like when the mask comes off and then, and then, what are the choices you're going to make? I just made it sound like a big drama. It's funny as hell. So, I think within the comedy, hopefully that's what it gets to be. But who do you want to be, and what are you willing to do to be that person?
 
John Betancourt: What are you most proud of when it comes to what you've accomplished so far with the two seasons of this show?
 
Michael Costigan: Well, what I'm honestly most proud of is it's such a pleasure. I mean, the thing about this show that people might not know is as funny as especially Kaley and Chris are on screen after you yell “cut,” they're still making jokes, they're still goofing around, they're still like -- it is such a pleasure and to literally be making a show that is as much fun to watch on screen and then in between takes and offset and working with such a great group of artists, and to do something that hopefully feels original and entertaining. And as you said, like that thematically is, you know, maybe also even about something, I feel really proud of that. And it's such a great gang, and I hope that comes through as people watch it. I mean, we had such a great time making Season Two. It's really become such a family, and I think that's why it's so funny. I think Chris and Kaley are like, have become their characters, or the characters have become them, or, who knows, but we could watch them for hours.
 
John Betancourt: Now we’ve talked about some deep concepts today. But obviously this is entertainment at its core, and you guys want to put on an entertaining show. So, from a more general standpoint, what are you excited for audiences to experience when this airs?
 
Michael Costigan: Well, I think you know, all of us have seen so many different shows that are trying to take us on a journey and surprise us, etc. And I don't know about you, but I always feel, “Ah, I know what’s gonna happen here, whatever.” And I love making a show where it can be surprising and true to character, and not surprising, because we're going to jump the shark, but who are they, and that we get to be with these characters, and they're going to take us somewhere new. And that's the part where it's not, “Oh, season two, well, of course, in season one, they set up where it's going to go.” We've all seen so much television and so many movies that you telegraph, and this is going to happen. I love making a show that trusts the audience. It says they want to be surprised, just like us. We don't need to spoon feed them anything. And with this group of actors who needs to? You get to really go on that journey with them, and to see something that feels original, funny, bold, like little bit of that raised eyebrow, I want to watch that, and I really hope the audience does too.
 
John Betancourt: Last question that I have for you today, if you had to describe this season in a singular word, what would that word be?
 
Michael Costigan: That's a good question. If I had to describe this season, I would just say, unexpected.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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