How Peacock’s Devil in Disguise Addresses Misinformation About John Wayne Gacy
Devil in Disguise has been commended for its thoughtful approach in focusing on the victims of John Wayne Gacy while also addressing the myths surrounding the infamous serial killer.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Michael Chernus detailed his research process for portraying Gacy, stating, “The research was as thorough as you might expect for a subject like this. There was an abundance of material — from literature to documentaries, podcasts, and YouTube clips. I aimed to gain a deep understanding of the cultural and public perceptions of John Wayne Gacy, as one of our goals with this show is to reshape that perception and debunk some myths surrounding him and this narrative.”
Additionally, it was crucial to “rectify some of the misinformation” regarding Gacy.
“For instance, many films and projects focus on his clown persona. Numerous books are titled The Killer Clown, but the clowning aspect was merely a minor part of his identity,” Chernus, 48, explained. “As far as we know, he did not murder any victims while dressed as a clown. He didn’t use his clown character to lure boys to his home. In fact — in a way — it’s even more disturbing than that. It represented one of many facades he adopted and one of several personas he created to blend into society and appear harmless or non-threatening.”
The actor further expressed: “I was intrigued by understanding why some individuals are so fascinated by him and what the attraction was, and how we could tackle the story in a different fashion to emphasize that this isn’t really how all of it unfolded. He wasn’t the figure the culture painted him to be. In a way, the clown served to dehumanize him, transforming him into a larger-than-life boogeyman and this killer clown, when, in reality, the truth is far more terrifying than fiction.”
Gacy was a serial killer and sex offender who raped, tortured, and murdered numerous young men and boys. After being convicted of 32 murders in 1980, he was sentenced to death and executed by lethal injection in 1994.
Devil in Disguise, which debuted earlier this month, shifts the narrative from Gacy to the trauma experienced by the families of the victims. Each episode of the Peacock series is named after one of Gacy’s victims and scrutinizes the investigative errors and systemic failures that allowed Gacy to evade justice for so long.
“Initially, I was reluctant to engage with this role. I didn’t want to partake in anything that could, in any sense, glorify John Wayne Gacy,” Chernus revealed to Us. “[Showrunner] Patrick Macmanus shared his vision of concentrating on the victims and telling their stories, and shining a light on their experiences.”
Bureau of Prisons/Getty Images Peacock’s Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy is the latest scripted series focusing on a notorious serial killer. The show’s synopsis indicates that the limited series “unveils the complex layers of John Wayne Gacy’s life while intertwining the poignant stories of his predominantly gay victims.”
Chernus expressed satisfaction that the series “would not depict graphic violence or murder” visually.
“John Wayne Gacy is certainly a part of the narrative because he must be,” Chernus noted. “However, I want audiences to learn about him only to the extent that it aids in understanding psychopathy; perhaps, in a minor way, this TV show could help prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.”
Devil in Disguise aims to ensure that viewers do not leave with feelings of empathy or sympathy for the subject. Chernus added, “While there’s often a sentiment that actors must find a way to love their characters, to empathize with them, I don’t believe that’s applicable in this instance. I haven’t been able to connect with real empathy for him at any point.”
Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy is currently available for streaming on Peacock.
