The true-crime boom continues on streaming services, with Peacock entering the fray with a new series based on the serial Killer John Wayne Gacy. The series promises a different approach than past portrayals of notorious killers, with the focus shifting away from Gacy himself and towards his victims.
Actor Michael Chernus, known for supporting roles in dark projects like “Severance” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” will portray Gacy. Chernus acknowledges the gravity of the role.
I’m both excited and humbled by this opportunity. The direction that the writers are taking with this project is important, focusing on the victims and their families as well as those who finally brought John Wayne Gacy to justice. While Gacy was the perpetrator of these horrific crimes, I’m relieved that he won’t be the main focus of the series. It’s heartbreaking for me to think of what his victims (all young men and boys) could have done with their lives had the system not failed them so tragically. I believe in the power of storytelling and hope that by telling this story, in a thoughtful way, we can play some part in preventing this from ever happening again.
This approach is a clear response to criticisms faced by recent true-crime projects like Netflix’s “Dahmer.” Family members of victims expressed pain over the series, highlighting the potential for such portrayals to reopen old wounds and even inspire copycat crimes. “Baby Reindeer” also faced accusations of blurring the lines between reality and fiction, leading to lawsuits.
Peacock seems to be taking a more sensitive approach. This is a significant shift from their previous Gacy docuseries, which heavily featured interviews with the killer himself.
In the quiet suburban sprawl, a monster lurked in plain sight. Between 1972 and 1978, John Wayne Gacy transformed his seemingly idyllic life into a house of horrors. Over six years, thirty-three young men vanished, their fates sealed beneath the unassuming crawl space of Gacy’s own home. The most chilling aspect? No one suspected a thing. With his infectious charisma and friendly demeanor, Gacy embodied the picture of normalcy. He held a respectable job, actively participated in the community, and even brought cheer to sick children while masquerading as the clown Pogo.
While a release date and title haven’t been announced for the upcoming series, Peacock subscribers can revisit the John Wayne Gacy docuseries “Devil in Disguise” in the meantime.
