Peacock’s highly anticipated scripted drama, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, premiering October 16, 2025, promises a groundbreaking approach to true crime. Starring Michael Chernus as the notorious serial killer, this eight-episode series delves into the twisted layers of Gacy’s life while profoundly centering the heartrending stories of his victims, their families, and the systemic failures that enabled his reign of terror.
The name John Wayne Gacy evokes a chilling chapter in American criminal history, a period of terror that gripped Chicago between 1972 and 1978. Now, Peacock is revisiting this dark legacy with its new limited scripted drama series, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy. Unlike previous retellings that often fixate on the killer, this eight-episode series is set to offer a profoundly human-centered narrative, shining a crucial light on Gacy’s mostly gay victims, their grieving families, and the societal failings that contributed to his gruesome crimes.
The series, premiering on October 16, 2025, promises a unique exploration of the horrific events. It aims to peel back the twisted layers of Gacy’s deceptive life while meticulously weaving in the heartrending stories of those he victimized. This approach seeks to explore the grief, guilt, and trauma experienced by their families and friends, and expose the systemic prejudices and missed opportunities that allowed Gacy’s reign of terror to persist for so long.
The Monster in Plain Sight: Revisiting John Wayne Gacy’s Deception
John Wayne Gacy was a man who cultivated an image of respectability, famously known for his charm, community involvement, and even volunteering to entertain sick children dressed as a clown. Yet, beneath this carefully constructed facade lay a terrifying darkness. Between 1972 and 1978, Gacy kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and murdered 33 young men, burying many of his victims in the crawl space beneath his Chicago-area home. His crimes remained undetected for years, a horrifying testament to his ability to remain “in disguise.”
Gacy’s criminal history began even before his most notorious murders. He was arrested and convicted of sexual assault in the late 1960s and again in the early 1970s. According to an interview with NBC News, Gacy himself placed his first murder in 1972. The investigation into the disappearance of 15-year-old Robert Piest in 1978 ultimately led to Gacy’s arrest, a pivotal moment that unraveled his years of deception. He confessed to his crimes, was sentenced to death in 1980, and was executed on May 10, 1994, as reported by NBC News.
A Vision Focused on Humanity: Patrick Macmanus’s Approach
At the helm of this ambitious project is showrunner, writer, and executive producer Patrick Macmanus, known for his work on other critically acclaimed true-crime narratives like Dr. Death and The Girl from Plainville. Macmanus has emphasized the series’ commitment to ethical storytelling, ensuring that the focus remains on the victims and their profound impact, rather than sensationalizing Gacy’s brutality. Speaking at the New York premiere, Macmanus praised the exceptional team involved and the care that went into the series’ making, highlighting its nuanced approach to one of America’s most infamous crimes without glorifying the killer, as detailed by Peacock.
The series is inspired by Peacock’s 2021 six-part docuseries of the same name, which featured previously unreleased interviews with Gacy. This new scripted drama seeks to build upon that foundation by presenting a cinematic interpretation of true events, balancing horror with the deep humanity of those affected. The directorial vision of Larysa Kondracki, who helms episode 1 and 6, carefully balances tension and humanity as the story unfolds, ensuring a respectful yet gripping narrative.
The Faces of ‘Devil in Disguise’: Cast and Their Chilling Portrayals
The series boasts a talented ensemble cast tasked with bringing this complex and tragic story to life:
- Michael Chernus as John Wayne Gacy: Known for his roles in Orange Is the New Black and Severance, Chernus delivers an eerily convincing performance. He initially expressed hesitation about playing a serial killer but was reassured by Macmanus’s commitment to victim-centric storytelling. Chernus told Vanity Fair that he “absolutely in no way did I want to be a part of something that was glorifying John Gacy,” affirming the show’s ethical stance. His portrayal captures Gacy’s disturbing charisma and the dark humor he used to mask his evil.
- Gabriel Luna as Detective Rafael Tovar: The Last of Us and Terminator: Dark Fate star plays one of the tireless detectives on the case. Luna was intrigued by the opportunity to portray a real-life “mortal man and an ordinary person and an everyday hero” whose persistence brought justice, as he shared with Gold Derby.
- Michael Angarano as Sam Amirante: Gacy’s defense attorney.
- Chris Sullivan as prosecutor Bill Kunkle: The This Is Us alum takes on the role of the prosecuting attorney.
- Marin Ireland as Elizabeth Piest: Robert Piest’s mother. Ireland emphasized the cast’s commitment to honoring the victims’ families, stating to Gold Derby that there was “something very sacred about the experience, about honoring these people and the suffering they went through.”
- Greg Bryk as Harold Piest: Robert Piest’s father.
- James Badge Dale as Lt. Joe Kozenczak.
The Premiere Event: A Prelude to a Haunting Series
Peacock rolled out the red carpet at the Directors Guild of America Theater in New York City on October 9, 2025, for the premiere of Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy. The event, followed by an exclusive after-party at The Lobster Club, brought together the cast, producers, creators, and notable figures from film and television, including Christian Slater, Britt Lower, and Josh Radnor. The palpable energy and the unsettling, cliffhanging tension of the first episode made it clear that the series promises a hauntingly human look at a dark chapter in history, as reported by Peacock.
Why This Series Resonates with True Crime Fans
The true crime genre often walks a fine line between providing insight and veering into exploitation. Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy aims to redefine this boundary by prioritizing respect for the victims and exploring the broader societal context that allowed Gacy to operate. This approach aligns with a growing desire among true crime enthusiasts for more thoughtful, analytical content that examines the “why” and “how” of such atrocities, rather than merely the “what.”
By exposing systemic failures, missed opportunities, and the societal prejudices—particularly against young gay men, many of whom were Gacy’s victims—the series offers a critical examination that extends beyond the individual killer. It seeks to provoke deeper reflection on how communities and institutions can better protect vulnerable populations and bring perpetrators to justice more swiftly.
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The infamous police photo of John Wayne Gacy.
How to Watch ‘Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy’
All eight episodes of Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy will be available to stream exclusively on Peacock starting Thursday, October 16, 2025. Prepare for a gripping and emotionally resonant true-crime experience that challenges conventional storytelling and honors the memory of those whose lives were tragically cut short.
