An Interview with Liana Liberato from ‘Based on a True Story’

BASED ON A TRUE STORY -- "Shotgun Wedding" Episode 207 -- Pictured: (l-r) Liana Liberato as Tory -- (Photo by: Colleen Hayes/PEACOCK)

Liana Liberato is a talented actor that has appeared on the silver and small screen often. Currently she stars as Tori in the hit Peacock series, Based on a True Story, and we had the honor of sitting down with Liana to discuss season two of the show.
 
John Betancourt: I want to know what it means to you as an actor to be back for a second season.
 
Liana Liberato: Oh, it's so exciting. I mean, I think obviously every, every actor sign that signs on to a TV show is hoping to, you know, get another season. So, I feel it's a privilege, and I'm so excited for it to be yours now, and everyone can watch it and enjoy it. We had so much fun making the show, and hopefully people feel the enthusiasm when they watch it.
 
John Betancourt: I was so excited to hear you guys got a second season as well, mainly because the show just seems to call to everyone. Everyone is constantly buzzing about it. And I'm curious why you think this show resonates so well with audiences.
 
Liana Liberato: Ooh. I mean, we're all obsessed with True Crime right now. We all love it. And also, you know, I think that Kaley (Cuoco) has such a little star over her head, and she is so she's so enticing, like she's so fun to watch and I think that people follow her, people want to see what she's doing next. I think when you when you find out Kaley's attached to something, you know it's gonna be interesting and good and funny. And I think that this show is a little off the rails, and we, we make some crazy choices. And I, honestly, I don't really know anything else that's out that's like this. So, I feel like people are interested in to tune in, and it's never really what you expect. So, it's an exciting watch.
 
John Betancourt: That brings me right to my next question. As you said, you really are a part of a refreshing and original story. There really isn't anything like it on TV. What does it mean to you as both an actor and just as a person in general, be part of a story that's so unique and so original.
 
Liana Liberato: It's cool, it's exciting. I mean, I never know what they're gonna throw at me until I receive a script, and so I sort of, I get to kind of react the same way an audience would, you know, but I'm just in my bed reading a script, and I'm like, “Well, that's crazy.” And then when I feel like, when I react that way, I'm like, “Oh, that's awesome. People will probably react that way too,” but it's cool. I think that, you know, that's sort of the difference between doing movies and television, is, you know, when you do movies, you know how it ends, and with TV, you don't. So, it's exciting. It's challenging as an actor.
 
John Betancourt: I'm also curious too, because, as you mentioned a moment ago, it gets into obsession. It gets into so many amazing things about this -- kind of where we're at in a pop culture standpoint. And I'm very curious with season two, kind of upping the ante and taking us on some new journeys, what do you kind of hope, from a commentary standpoint, audiences take away from season two?
 
Liana Liberato: Oh, that's a good point. I What do I hope people will take from it? I mean, you know, there's something really special about the show because it's a dark comedy, and it's, and it's obviously, you know, it's for entertainment. You're supposed to watch this and enjoy it and binge it and have a great time. But honestly, there's so many layers to these characters, and I think that, I think it's an interesting outlook, and like, commentary on, like, just the human experience and how people can be very layered and very nuanced, and sometimes they are very wise, and then other times they can make very, very dumb decisions. And I hope that people can kind of take away a bit of, you know, there is some humanness to these people, and sometimes, and I think the show holds a mirror up, and maybe some people just aren't willing to look at their own reflection sometimes, like that.
 
John Betancourt: Obviously, from a more global standpoint, I mean, there's so many big moments in this, the first few episodes alone, I don't want to spoil anything, but in general, what are you excited for audiences to experience when they when they settle in this year?
 
Liana Liberato; Ooh. I mean, it's fun. There's, there's a bit of a mystery, there's a new killer. And you, you know, you kind of get to unravel that with Ava and sort of play detective. And, you know, all of the best parts about season one are back. And then there's also some very new, refreshing, refreshing things coming your way.
 
 
John Betancourt: What are you most proud of when it comes to what you've accomplished on the show so far as an actor?
 
Liana Liberato: Oh, um, I would say, I think I feel like I've just learned so much. I mean, I knew I knew what I was getting into because I was such a fan of specifically Chris (Messina) and Kaley when I signed on to the show and I just feel really honored to get to work with them and learn from them. It honestly just feels like one big acting lesson all the time. And I feel very grateful to be in a field where I don't think I'll never stop learning.
 
John Betancourt: The last question that I have for you today, if you had to describe Season Two of the show in a single word, what would that word be?
 
Liana Liberato: Wild.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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