Devil in Disguise Finds Its John Wayne Gacy Actor

Peacock has finally found the actor starring as the notorious serial killer in its upcoming limited drama series, titled Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy. The series is inspired by the streamer’s 2021 six-part documentary series, John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise. 

Other details about the drama remain close to the vest, including other stars involved, but the official synopsis states that the series will peel back “the twisted layers of 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 fueled his reign of terror.”

Who will play John Wayne Gacy in Devil in Disguise?

Michael Chernus will lead the upcoming limited drama series as serial killer Gacy. In a statement (via Variety), the actor revealed that the series won’t be heavily focused on the harrowing perpetrator but will instead focus on the victims as well as their families. Gacy, also referred to as the Killer Clown, brutally murdered a total of 33 young men between 1972 and 1978. 

“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,” said the actor. 

He added, “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.”

Chernus can currently be seen as Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale in the sci-fi thriller Severance. His other acting credits include Spider-Man: Homecoming, Werewolves Within, Manhattan, Patriot, Tommy, and Dead Ringers, among others.