Peacock’s ‘Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy’ Turns America’s Most Chilling True Story Into a Riveting Crime Drama

Los Angeles — This October, Peacock dives into one of America’s darkest chapters with Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, an eight-episode dramatized series inspired by the real-life crimes of one of history’s most infamous serial killers. Set to premiere in full on October 16, 2025, the series has already become one of the year’s most anticipated — and unsettling — releases.

The project revisits the horrifying true story of John Wayne Gacy, a man who hid in plain sight for years as a trusted community figure while secretly committing a string of murders that shocked the world.

From Documentary to Drama

The scripted series, created by Patrick Macmanus, is inspired by Peacock’s own 2021 docuseries John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise, which featured rare archival footage and interviews with investigators, survivors, and even Gacy himself.

This new dramatization goes further — exploring not just the crimes but also the psychological double life that allowed Gacy to maintain his mask of normalcy.

Starring Michael Chernus (Orange Is the New Black) as Gacy, the series promises a chillingly human portrayal of the killer’s contradictions: his charm, his community involvement, and the horrifying depths of his crimes.

Peacock describes the series as “a descent into darkness, told from the perspectives of both Gacy’s victims and the people who thought they knew him.”

The Real Man Behind the Monster

Born in Chicago in 1942, John Wayne Gacy grew up in a working-class neighborhood and endured a turbulent childhood marked by an abusive father. In his early adulthood, he appeared to lead an ordinary life, working various jobs, marrying twice, and even running several successful businesses.

In the 1960s, Gacy managed Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in Iowa, a job that gave him local prominence and financial stability. But beneath the surface, he was already spiraling into criminal behavior.

He was first arrested in 1968 for the sexual assault of a teenage boy and served a short prison sentence. After his release, he returned to Illinois, remarried, and carefully rebuilt his reputation.

By the early 1970s, Gacy was a respected contractor, political volunteer, and local fixture in suburban Chicago. He was known for his charm, his hospitality, and his peculiar side job — performing at children’s parties as “Pogo the Clown.” To his neighbors, Gacy seemed like the embodiment of community spirit.

But behind the laughter and red nose was a horrifying secret.

The Hidden Horror Beneath the House

Between 1972 and 1978, Gacy committed a series of murders that would make him one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history.

Posing as a helpful employer or a friendly neighbor, he lured young men and teenage boys to his home under the guise of offering them work. Once there, he would trap, assault, and kill them — often burying the bodies in the crawl space beneath his modest suburban house.

Police later discovered the remains of 29 victims hidden under the floorboards of his property, with several more dumped in nearby rivers.

The revelation stunned America. The idea that a seemingly kindhearted family man — a man who entertained children as a clown — could commit such atrocities shattered the nation’s sense of safety.

Capturing Evil on Screen

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy aims to capture that same sense of disbelief — the chilling duality of a man who could be both beloved and monstrous.

According to creator Patrick Macmanus, the series focuses as much on the psychological manipulation surrounding Gacy’s crimes as on the violence itself.

“This isn’t just a story about murder,” Macmanus said in a recent interview. “It’s a story about how evil can hide in plain sight — how an entire community can look right at it and never see.”

Supporting cast members include Merritt Wever as the lead investigator who begins to suspect Gacy long before his arrest, and Domhnall Gleeson as a local journalist determined to expose the truth.

The show also incorporates dramatized perspectives of victims’ families, exploring how Gacy’s charm and authority shielded him from suspicion for years.

From True Crime to Cultural Reflection

In recent years, true-crime dramas have surged in popularity, but Devil in Disguise arrives with a specific goal: not to glorify the killer, but to understand the systems that allowed him to thrive.

The series examines the complacency of a society that overlooked red flags — a theme that feels disturbingly relevant in today’s conversations about trust, authority, and accountability.

Peacock executives describe the production as “a cautionary tale about the monsters we invite into our lives without realizing it.”

With its October release date, the series is expected to dominate both the Halloween season and the cultural conversation that follows.

A Legacy of Horror — and Warning

John Wayne Gacy was convicted of 33 murders in 1980 and executed by lethal injection in 1994. But his crimes continue to haunt popular culture, inspiring books, documentaries, and now a dramatization that brings his dual nature into sharp focus.

For audiences, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy is more than just a true-crime series — it’s a chilling reminder that evil doesn’t always wear a mask. Sometimes, it shakes your hand, smiles, and tells a joke.

Peacock’s Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy streams October 16. Viewer discretion is advised.