Sara Paxton certainly kept us glued to the screen throughout Based on a True Story season 2. As soon as she came in, we thought there must be more to the character. We didn’t see the story turning out the way it did, though.
Let’s be honest; for the longest time, we thought Drew was going to be the Copycat Killer. Of course, that was too obvious for a series like this, and there was always going to be another twist. That led to us finding out that Paige was the Copycat Killer instead.
We talked with Sara Paxton about the character, finding out about what she knew going into the role and when it meant for when it came to the twistier parts of the story.
Knowing nothing about Paige in Based on a True Story
Precinct TV: I loved all the twists and turns we got with Paige. How much of that did you know going into the show?
Sara Paxton: Initially, I knew very little. I did the audition, and all I knew what that she’s the sister of Chloe Lake, and they gave me one page of dialogue, a very short scene with Tom.
I thought it was one episode where I’m just this ceramist and we have this little conversation, and that’s all that happens. And then I got on set, I filmed my pottery scenes for the day, and when I was done, the producers, and the directors, and the showrunner all gathered around and said ‘Okay, we’re gonna tell you the secret we’ve been holding from you.’
They said I’d be the killer for this season, and I was so happy, because I’m a fan of the show. There was a small part of me on the inside that had my fingers crossed. I thought it would be so much fun, and I’m so happy that came true.
PTV: Usually, we see serial killers in shows die by the end of the season. Were you worried that would happen to Paige? What was it like when you found out there was a potential for season 3?
SP: Yeah! I would receive the scripts, but I didn’t really know anything. They didn’t tell me much, just that I was the Copycat Killer. I didn’t know what was going to happen. So, when I got that last script and I saw the twists at the end that Paige doesn’t die, I was really pumped.
As a fan, I would love to see season 3. As an actor, I want to act it out.
PTV: Now we have this opportunity for Paige and Tom to team up or to constantly catch each other out. Which way would you like to see it play out as a fan?
SP: Oh! I know as an actor, I would want to see them team up, because it reminds me of Pulp Fiction when they shoot up the diner. That’s kind of what comes into my mind. Like they’re crazy and they’re on this killing spree. But it would be interesting if they kept playing cat and mouse together.
How Sara Paxton prepped for the role of a serial killer
PTV: How did you prep for the role, especially once you knew Paige would be the serial killer?
SP: As an actor, you’re supposed to have empathy for your character. It’s the only way that you can get into their shoes and feel what they are going through. I needed to really get into the mindset of a serial killer.
I rewatched American Psycho, which I thought had some interesting parallels to Paige’s character and Christian Bale’s character. Then I also watched a lot of interviews of serial killers, specifically female serial killers, because they’re a little more unique. There’s not as many, so I watched a lot of interviews of Eileen Wuornos.
PTV: Oooo, yes, I can see Paige connecting to Eileen.
SP: Right? Also, I connected to the fact that this was all fueled by her sister being murdered so brutally in season 1. So, that’s kind of a big driving force for the character.
PTV: Were you nervous coming into the established cast?
SP: I was nervous at first, because it’s season 2, and I imagine everyone’s very close. I didn’t know where I would fit in, but everyone was so nice and really welcoming. Every single person on the crew was so pleasant, and everyone was laughing and cracking jokes. Kaley and Chris have this chemistry on screen, but also in person, you can tell they’re really good friends and they’re constantly cracking jokes, and it just made me feel really comfortable, welcomed, and included.
Based on a True Story season 2 is now available to stream on Peacock.
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