The actress brings thoughtful presence to Peacock’s true-crime series, which blends fact and dramatization to revisit real-life cases.
By Alex Thompson
Tullia Ferraro appears as Michelle Bazzetta in Buried in the Backyard, a true-crime documentary series streaming on Peacock and airing on Oxygen. Known for blending real interviews, archival footage, and dramatized reenactments, the show examines shocking murder cases in which victims are discovered in unsuspecting locations—often literally buried close to home. Ferraro’s role placed her in a production that demands a careful balance of factual storytelling and emotional authenticity.
Buried in the Backyard has become a staple in the true-crime genre, running for multiple seasons and maintaining a loyal audience through both streaming and cable platforms. Its episodes often revisit real criminal cases, combining investigative reporting with sensitive dramatizations. The series’ continued production and wide availability give its actors valuable exposure to viewers who follow documentary and crime programming closely.
One of the featured cases centers on Michelle Bazzetta, a figure involved in the 1983 murder of Helen Bazzetta in Michigan. Ferraro portrayed Michelle Bazzetta in reenactment scenes that illustrate key moments from the case, bringing physicality and subtle emotional beats to a real-life story that required a respectful, restrained approach.
Portraying real individuals in true-crime reenactments requires precision and a thoughtful tone. In her scenes, Ferraro focused on clarity and presence rather than dramatization, supporting the narrative without distracting from the real case at the heart of the episode. Her ability to step into this kind of role smoothly speaks to her adaptability and professionalism on set—qualities that are especially valuable in documentary-hybrid productions, which often operate on tight shooting schedules and require emotional sensitivity.
Ferraro’s work on Buried in the Backyard complements her appearances in scripted television, demonstrating her comfort moving between genres. True-crime reenactments may be brief, but they play an important role in grounding the story for viewers, giving them a sense of the human dynamics behind the facts. Ferraro’s contribution to the episode added texture to the storytelling while respecting the gravity of the real events being portrayed.
