Particle.news
Download on the App Store

‘Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy’ Debuts on Peacock With a Victims-First True-Crime Reframing

Early reviews call the series a victims-first corrective that omits on-screen killings.

Overview

  • All eight episodes are now streaming on Peacock following the Oct. 16 premiere.
  • The dramatization starts with the disappearance of Robert Piest and a 10-day investigation, using flashbacks to foreground victims and families rather than depicting murders.
  • Michael Chernus’s performance as Gacy is widely praised for its restraint, with several reviews noting some midseason pacing issues.
  • Creator Patrick Macmanus centers systemic failures and 1970s homophobia, with episodes titled for victims and closing tributes that include archival materials and resources.
  • Industry reporting indicates Peacock is exploring an anthology expansion reportedly focused on Richard Ramirez, a plan not yet officially confirmed.