An Interview with Melissa Fumero from ‘Based on a True Story’

BASED ON A TRUE STORY -- “Based on a Drew Story” -- Episode 206 -- Pictured: Melissa Fumero as Drew -- (Photo by: Colleen Hayes/Peacock)

It is definitely safe to say that season two of Based on a True Story on Peacock is about as epic as it gets. Courtesy of some powerful storytelling decisions and some amazing twists and turns. One of which involved the character, Drew. Who we learned, wasn’t Drew, but Olivia and had her own sordid past with Matt. One that brought about quite the explosive confrontation, and well, now that we’ve all had time to process season two, we thought it best to sit down with cast member Melissa Fumero, who played Drew-Livia, to discuss all things Based on a True Story.
 
John Betancourt: I would love to start by getting to know what it was that attracted you to the role of Olivia/Drew.
 
Melissa Fumero: Well, I was already a fan of the show and a fan of Annie Weissman and also Kaley (Cuoco), so it was a really exciting call to get. And then also, when they told me about the character, it felt really different from anything I've done. The show itself feels really different from anything I've gotten to do. So, it was just like a very easy yes, and an exciting situation all around.
 
John Betancourt So you bring up a good point that we have to expand upon… the fact that you're a fan of the show. Because you’re one of many of us that love it so, and I’m curious why you think it resonates so well with audiences.
 
Melissa Fumero: Oh, man, I think. Well, I mean, it’s a stellar cast that is so fun and easy to watch. I think also the premise, the sort of comment, the satire about these, you know, intense fandoms that exist in these little niche genres, is a really interesting topic to explore and have fun with, and I think the show does it in a really clever and fun way. You know, they're making a lot of comments, but you never feel preached to. And you know, you never know where it's gonna go. You know, the violence and the gore comes out of left field. You never see it coming. So, it's just a fun thriller, exciting show to watch, and I think that's why it resonates with so many people.
 
John Betancourt: You are so right about the twists. I don't think I saw anything coming this year at all, and speaking of the twists, out of curiosity for your character, were you given advance knowledge of what was going to happen with Drew/Olivia?
 
Melissa Fumero: I was. Annie Weisman and Jaclyn Moore were really generous and told me all of the twists and turns before I started, which was so valuable and does not always happen as an actor. And it was just really fun to get to hold those secrets with me in every scene. And I think they really informed my approach and my choices. And so, I was just very grateful to know everything before I started.
 
John Betancourt: That does lead me to my next question, because there is a wonderful nuance to what you do this season in playing two characters really, and I'm curious how you, as an actor, built that incredible duality.
 
Melissa Fumero: Oh, thanks, yeah. I mean, again, I think it was, you know, having the knowledge of all the secrets, you know, and getting to play, to choose when to lean into those. I think there's a really specific way that she interacts with Ava because of those secrets, and the way she questions Ava, and the way she listens to certain things that she says. You know, it's all like, kind of there, and then when the big reveal happens, then that was just like, kind of fun to get to create, like, who is this person, really, without all the masks that she wears? So, it was like just a very fun, dreamy role to play as an actor.
 
John Betancourt: Speaking of that enjoyment in general, what was it that you enjoyed the most about playing Olivia and Drew?
 
Melissa Fumero: Yeah, I think, you know, I've been a fan of Kaley's from afar for a long time, and we fell into a really easy rapport and chemistry from day one, and so doing scenes with her, all those scenes in the restaurant were so fun to shoot, and we played a lot, and we ad libbed, and she's just a really fun person to act with. You kind of don't know what she's gonna like, toss at you, which is always fun and, and I think, you know, playing, getting to play with the whole cast in that, you know, in that final episode for my character, was also like, really fun. And all the little things that are revealed about her character and her history with Matt is, to me, was so interesting and fun. And, you know, letting all those kinds of nuggets out. So, it was a great way to spend my summer.
 
John Betancourt: I always find that we each kind of take something away from the experiences that we go through. And I'm curious with a show this intelligent and this deep, what did you take away from playing Olivia/Drew?
 
Melissa Fumero: So, I learned that there's a really specific way that you have to hold fake blood in your mouth in order to cough it up naturally, which I did not anticipate would be really tricky to do. It's like you gotta, like, hold it really, like in your throat. So, I left the show with some new tricks and techniques for playing death scenes, which it was my first time dying. And you know, I just love the different kind of the fun that this show has with tone and genre, it was really appealing to me, and I kind of hope to do more things like that.
 
John Betancourt: That’s interesting, I’ve talked to a lot of folks who’ve dealt with fake blood and horror elements, and you're the first one to bring up the art of throwing up blood.
 
Melissa Fumero: Yeah, it's, it's harder than it looks. Yeah. I was… after the first take. I was like, “Oh, I think I did it wrong.” It was really bad the first take. And I was just like, “Oh, wait, no. This is hard.” I was like, “Let me, give me a minute to figure this out.” There's some mechanics there. If you don't hold it in your cheek, it'll look real bad.
 
John Betancourt: Well, I just got my first acting lesson, and I very much appreciate it! I'd also love to know what you hope the audience takes away from this season of storytelling, from maybe a more messaging standpoint.
 
Melissa Fumero: Oh, hmm. I mean, there's so many comments that this show makes. I think… about fame, about fandom. I think about, you know, gosh, yeah, it's, you know, there is a sort of, like intense culture around fandom. I think that is happening right now. And I think this show is examining, like, one aspect of it, and in a fun, satirical way, kind of maybe warning people how out of control it can possibly get, and that, you know, maybe it's not so good to, like, hold anyone up on too high a pedestal.
 
John Betancourt: The last question that I have for you today, what are you most proud of when it comes to your work in season two here?
 
Melissa Fumero: Oh, um, you know, I think it's always really hard as an actor to kind of come into someone's house and just like, fold yourself in. And, you know, it's terrifying to do. And you know, when I was a younger actor, and I did guest stars, and you know, anything like that, it's a tricky dynamic. You want to honor the space that they've already created, and then you also, like, want to bring in your own thing. And I think this is the first time that, um, I think I did that from a really confident place. It also is because I was so, so welcomed by this show and this cast and this crew and everyone just made me feel really comfortable. So that made it easier. But yeah, I think that's probably the thing I'm most proud of, was just, um, yeah, not letting any nerves get the best of me, and just kind of having the confidence to just jump in with them and trust everyone around me and have fun. And I did.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.