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 documentary series of the same name.
Netflix also released a documentary series about the case in 2022 called “Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes.”
Related: Zara McDermott announces new BBC true crime documentary
Gacy is said to have killed 33 boys and men in the 1970s and was sentenced to death for these murders in 1980.
The scripted series is written, shownrunner and executive produced by Patrick Macmanus, who has experience adapting true crime stories for the small screen and has worked on “Dr. Death” for Peacock and “The Girl from Plainville” for Hulu – starring Elle Fanning.
There are no casting announcements for “Devil in Disguise” yet and it is not known when the series will appear on the platform.
The synopsis of the show reads: “From 1972 to 1978, 33 young men were kidnapped, murdered and buried in a basement beneath their killer’s house. And no one noticed. Not in 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 children… dressed as a clown.”
Related: BBC developing crime drama about notorious British serial killer
“(The series) uncovers the tangled layers of John Wayne Gacy’s life, weaving together the heartbreaking stories of his mostly gay victims. It explores the grief, guilt and trauma of their families and friends and exposes the systemic failures, missed opportunities and societal prejudices that fueled his reign of terror.”
This new announcement continues Peacock’s recent interest in producing true crime dramas. Last month, it was announced that Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Hart will star in the miniseries Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.
The show, which Hart also serves as executive producer, tells the story of the armed robbery that took place on the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic comeback fight in 1970.
The devil in disguise: John Wayne Gacy and Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist will be available to stream in the US on Peacock, with release dates to be announced.
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