John Wayne Gacy series won’t make the same mistake as Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

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Hidden Predator is a fresh Peacock drama that delves into the life of serial killer John Wayne Gacy. Unlike the Netflix series, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, this show aspires to take a unique approach.

In the year 1978, John Wayne Gacy was apprehended in Illinois. After a thorough probe that lasted for some time, he was found guilty of killing at least 33 young males.

In 1980, the man famously recognized as the ‘Killer Clown’ because of his association with a local ‘Jolly Joker’ group received a death sentence. He was eventually executed by lethal injection in 1994.

Currently, the narrative being shared by Peacock unfolds over eight episodes within a True Crime series titled “Devil in Disguise.” This gripping production features Michael Chernus from “Severance” portraying the infamous character, Gacy.

How Devil in Disguise will differ to Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

One hit show on Netflix, “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” has garnered immense success, yet it’s faced criticism due to its focus being more on the killer, Dahmer, instead of his tragic victims.

In a conversation with Vanity Fair, Patrick Macmanus – writer and producer of ‘Devil in Disguise’, acknowledged the potential backlash, admitting: “To be honest, I didn’t want this to become another Dahmer. At the time, I wasn’t sure how to make it anything other than that.

He ultimately solved the problem by having the murders happen off-screen.

Initial Insight: ‘Masked Monster: The John Wayne Gacy Story’

Actor Michael Chernus portrayed his character as a “true psychopath” – a skilled manipulator, adaptable personality, and seemingly reliable neighbor who was actually hiding in the open. He had blended so well into society that he was practically invisible.

🔗: Masked Monster: The John Wayne Gacy Story

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) July 8, 2025

Macmanus clarifies that our intention was to explore the lives of the victims, revealing who they really were, without any association to John Wayne Gacy whatsoever.

Our aim was to make sure that when people finished watching our performance, they didn’t just remember a name or a number. Instead, they gained a deeper understanding of the person behind the tragedy and the man beyond the stereotype.

Macmanus reached out to the families of victims when feasible, expressing that he wanted to understand their worries in order to find ways to address them effectively. This approach proved successful as reported by VF, stating that “he earned blessings from every family he interacted with.

Michael Chernus on the pain of playing John Wayne Gacy

Michael Chernus opted not to follow the Method acting technique where he remained in character throughout Devil in Disguise, because he didn’t want others to interact with his character, John Gacy, any more than necessary.

Although it was challenging for the actor, they prioritized the well-being of the group, stating: “I opted for the collective mental health over perhaps my personal encounter… At the end of each day, I’d retreat to my trailer, shed my costume, and then the weight of it all would seemingly collapse on me.

Through his work on the show, Chernus admits that his perspective towards similar content has shifted significantly. He expresses, “Having gone through this process, I’m not certain if I’ll indulge in much more true crime from now on.

I’ve come to realize more deeply the potential impact when things aren’t done with great care, understanding the possible repercussions for the families of the victims. It also highlights how such content can influence us as a society, often without fully grasping the total implications of the loss involved.

On October 16, 2025, all eight episodes of Devil in Disguise become available on Peacock. For your true crime fix this month, visit here or click here for the most gripping Netflix documentaries and the spookiest YouTube documentaries to watch today.

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2025-07-08 18:20