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Fans of true crime will be excited about this news. Dennis Quaid is set to lead the cast of the upcoming Paramount+ series, ‘Happy Face.’ This series, inspired by real events, delves into the dark narrative of a notorious serial killer and the profound impact on his family, particularly his daughter.
“Happy Face” is rooted in the harrowing true-life story of Melissa Moore, who discovered as a teenager that her father was the infamous serial killer dubbed “Happy Face” for the smiley faces he drew on letters that boasted of his crimes. This revelation shattered Moore’s life, leading her to change her name and keep her father’s identity a secret while he served a life sentence in prison.
The series aims to explore the complex relationship between “Happy Face” (played by Quaid) and his daughter, Melissa (portrayed by Annaleigh Ashford). After years of silence, the serial killer finds a way to re-enter his daughter’s life, sparking a series of events that force Melissa to confront her father’s legacy. She embarks on a quest to determine whether an innocent man is at risk of being executed for one of her father’s crimes, all while grappling with the broader implications of her father’s actions on his victims’ families and her own sense of identity.
“Happy Face” promises to be a deep dive into the psyche of a serial killer and the ripple effects of crime on family and society. The series is inspired by the podcast of the same name by iHeartMedia and Melissa Moore, and the book “Shattered Silence,” co-written by Moore and M. Bridget Cook.
The production of this eight-episode series is set to commence this spring in Vancouver, with a premiere date on Paramount+ slated for 2025. Behind the scenes, Jennifer Cacicio takes the helm as the writer, executive producer, and showrunner. The project also boasts executive production by notable names including Robert and Michelle King, Liz Glotzer, Moore herself, and Michael Showalter, who is also directing the first episode.