“Cast of ‘Devil in Disguise’ Honors Victims of John Wayne Gacy”

On October 15, 2023, the cast and creators of the new series Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy emphasized their commitment to honoring the victims of one of America’s most notorious serial killers. Set to premiere on Peacock, the show aims to shift the narrative focus from Gacy to the lives of those he tragically affected.

Cast Discusses Victim-Centric Approach

Actors Michael Chernus, who portrays Gacy, Marin Ireland, and Gabriel Luna, along with showrunner Patrick McManus, participated in a recent interview where they expressed their intention to center the stories of Gacy’s victims. Chernus highlighted the importance of recognizing the individuals lost to Gacy’s crimes, stating, “All of these young men and boys whose lives were lost became very real for me.” He noted that while Gacy’s name is often recognized, the names of his victims remain largely unknown.

Elizabeth Piest, the mother of Gacy’s final victim Rob Piest, passed away in 2021. Ireland reflected on the family’s privacy, stating, “We were thinking of this as telling our version of this story and allowing their family some privacy that I think is much deserved.” She emphasized the role of her character as a voice for victims’ families.

McManus Reflects on the Challenges of Telling the Story

McManus, known for creating other true crime series like Dr. Death, initially declined to take on Gacy’s story, feeling uncomfortable with the glorification of notorious criminals. His perspective changed when he decided to focus on the victims instead. “I wasn’t looking for a blessing when we reached out,” he explained about contacting families of victims. “In fact, I was opening myself up genuinely for them to hear it from me that we were doing this.”

Despite reaching out to 30 families, only five responded, which McManus attributed to outdated contact information. He emphasized the need for an honest dialogue, acknowledging that not every aspect of the portrayal would be perfect, but he felt they captured the spirit of those who were lost.

To maintain the essence of the victims, Ireland echoed Chernus’s sentiments. “The people themselves were people we kept at the front of our minds all the time,” she stated, underlining her commitment to honor their memories throughout production.

Confronting the Complexity of Gacy’s Character

Chernus faced a unique challenge in portraying Gacy, acknowledging that traditional drama school teachings about empathy did not apply in this case. “You don’t have to have empathy for your character to play them,” he noted. He characterized Gacy as a narcissist, whose manipulative charm made him particularly unsettling. “At the end of the day, I’m proud of what we made and there was a larger purpose,” Chernus added.

Luna, portraying real-life detective Rafael Tovar, described the tension in scenes where Tovar confronts Gacy. “He was so nonchalant with everything that I think it drove Detective Tovar mad,” Luna said, highlighting the stark contrast between Gacy’s demeanor and Tovar’s frustration.

The series recreates the unsettling environment of Gacy’s home, where detectives discovered victims’ remains. Luna commented on the attention to detail, noting elements like Gacy’s business cards and unusual décor that contributed to an eerie atmosphere. “It was a very weird, just so specific and accurate that it definitely gave me the creeps,” he said.

Ending with Remembrance

Each episode of Devil in Disguise concludes with photographs of Gacy’s victims, a decision credited to writer Yasmine Almanaseer. McManus expressed hope that these moments would leave a lasting impression on viewers, stating, “I hope that moment is cemented with them.” While the series cannot cover every victim, all are named in the finale.

In addition, the series includes links to the Regarding Youth ImpACT campaign to support at-risk youth, reflecting McManus’s desire for the show to inspire viewers to learn more about the lives of the victims rather than focusing solely on Gacy’s infamy. “My hope from this show is that people… begin to research these young boys and young men’s lives and learn a little bit more about them,” he concluded.