New true crime drama about serial killer John Wayne Gacy confirmed
Peacock has announced plans for a new true crime drama series about serial killer John Wayne Gacy.
The limited series, titled Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, was unveiled by the streaming service at the Television Critics Association winter press tour and is inspired by the platform's 2021 docuseries of the same name.
Netflix also released a documentary series about the case in 2022, titled Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes.
Related: Zara McDermott announces new BBC true crime documentary
Gacy allegedly killed 33 young boys and men during the 1970s and was convicted and sentenced to death for the murders in 1980.
The writer, showrunner and executive producer of the scripted series is Patrick Macmanus, who has experience adapting true crime for the small screen, having worked on Dr Death for Peacock, as well as The Girl from Plainville for Hulu – which starred Elle Fanning.
There have not yet been any casting announcements for Devil in Disguise, and it is not known when the series will arrive on the platform.
The show's synopsis reads: "From 1972-1978, thirty-three young men were kidnapped, murdered and buried in a crawl space beneath their killer's house. And no one was the wiser. Not for all those years. Why? He was charming and funny. Had a good, All-American job. Was a community leader. He even volunteered to entertain sick kids… while dressed as a clown.
Related: BBC developing crime drama about notorious British serial killer
"[The series] peels back the twisted layers of John Wayne Gacy's life while weaving in the heartrending stories of his mostly gay victims; exploring the grief, guilt, and trauma of their families and friends, and exposing the systemic failures, missed opportunities and societal prejudices that fuelled his reign of terror."
This new announcement continues Peacock's current interest in producing true crime drama. Last month it was revealed that Samuel L Jackson and Kevin Hart will star in limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.
The show, in which Hart also serves as executive producer, will tell the story of the armed robbery that took place on the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic comeback fight in 1970.
Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy and Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist will be available to stream on Peacock in the US, with release dates still to be announced.
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