Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy Cast Talk About Reclaiming the True Story From the Infamous Serial Killer

Peacock’s new drama, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, offers a deeply human look at one of America’s most notorious criminals. Instead of focusing on the shocking details of Gacy’s crimes, the series centers on the people he harmed, their loved ones, and the ways the system failed to stop him.

Before the October 16th release of the show, TopMob’s David Thompson interviewed Michael Chernus, who played John Wayne Gacy, along with Gabriel Luna, Marin Ireland, and showrunner Patrick Macmanus. They discussed the challenges and emotional weight of telling such a tragic true story.

The creators of the series were careful not to glorify John Wayne Gacy, emphasizing that he never committed crimes while in clown costume. They also prioritized honoring the lives of his victims, urging audiences to remember them as individuals, not just as statistics. The cast and crew discussed the importance of empathy, honesty, and the enduring effects of this tragic event.

Luna, who previously discussed a key death in Season 2 of *The Last of Us*, explained how his character represented the legal system of that era and the frustrations with it. He emphasized that the cast and crew were united in their understanding of the series’ message and how it would differentiate itself from other stories about John Wayne Gacy.

Star Michael Chernus on Giving the Power to the Victims With Devil In Disguise

“He Never Killed Anyone Dressed As A Clown….”

TopMob: “This story has been told many times through documentaries and other adaptations — what do you hope this series adds to the conversation, and what do you want audiences to take away from it?”

Michael Chernus believes it’s important to move away from the existing stories about the subject and to avoid celebrating him. He feels that past portrayals in movies and other media have often focused on sensationalism, like showing him as a menacing clown with a bloody knife, which is a mistake.

He was never a killer dressed as a clown. There’s no evidence he used a clown persona to attract victims to his home. The clown appearance was simply one of the disguises he used to fit in.

My goal in telling this story, or revisiting this moment in history, is to shift the attention away from John Gacy – who wasn’t a compelling figure – and instead focus on the victims, their families, the police officers who worked to solve the case, and the city of Chicago, which was deeply affected by these events. The entire community, and the nation, suffered. I want to redirect the focus to where it truly belongs: on those who were harmed and those who brought justice.

“We’re Not Demonizing The Police….”

Patrick Macmanus: That’s genuinely the point of the show. That’s why we made the show.

Much of my past work, and the show itself, focuses on the ways the system failed to prevent this from happening. Specifically, it highlights how the Chicago police repeatedly had the chance to identify and stop the perpetrator over several years, but didn’t connect the dots.

I want to be clear: we’re definitely not against the police as a whole. In fact, we really admire the officers who were working on this case for months, the ones who poured their hearts and lives into it. Many of them really sacrificed a lot to identify every victim and give them back their names. It’s important to acknowledge their dedication.

Adding a Voice to the Victims’ Families In New True Crime Peacock Series

“What’s This Woman’s Journey? Where Was She Before This?”

TopMob: “When exploring the different stages of grief in the series, what did you want to bring to your role beyond that emotional journey?”

I spent a lot of time wondering about the character’s life before the story began. Like the people investigating the victims, I wanted to understand her past, her journey, and what she learned about herself along the way.

She gained a stronger sense of independence, and her life diverged significantly from her husband’s. This led her to discover what truly mattered to her, particularly in how she connected with her children, and how each child responded to and supported her in unique ways.

I found myself really pondering the character’s backstory – where she came from, what her life was like before the events of the film. But even more fascinating was watching her inner life unfold. It was a journey of self-discovery, revealing hidden strengths and parts of herself she hadn’t even realized existed. It really made me think about who she was *before* and who she became because of everything that happened.

“Not Just As A Statistic…“

TopMob: “With the series about to reach a wide audience, what do you hope viewers take away from its exploration of grief, the justice system, and the lasting impact of these crimes?”

Marin Ireland hopes that after watching true crime content, people will start to consider the victims and their stories in a more thoughtful way.

It’s important that they remember the person as an individual, not just a number or how they died, and take a moment to consider their life and how they lived it.

Gabriel Luna on Representing the Police in Devil in Disguise

“He Had This Crusade…To Restore Their Humanity“

I got to sit in on a roundtable interview recently and even managed to ask Gabriel Luna, the star of *Devil In Disguise*, a question! It was pretty cool.

TopMob: “Your character faces the challenges and unfairness of the justice system—was that something that stood out to you in the script, and how did it shape your performance?”

Gabriel Luna believes Detective Tovar becomes increasingly frustrated as he uncovers how many people ignored obvious evidence. He feels Tovar’s frustration grows as he realizes how much was overlooked, mirroring what likely happened in real life.

The main issue was that all the boys were seen as the same, which created a lot of problems. People became hesitant to share information or help because they didn’t fully grasp what the young men were going through or the challenges they faced.

He was driven to help them regain who they were – to rediscover their identities and reclaim their humanity. Gacy’s crimes had taken so much from them, but they also lost pieces of themselves through how the media and the police treated them.

I believe Detective Tovar was driven by more than just a desire for justice – especially considering whether Casey’s execution truly delivered it. He seemed determined to uncover the truth and identify those responsible.

The full video interviews can be viewed here:

2025-10-16 22:37