Understanding our parents can sometimes feel impossible, staring across a generational divide and an ocean of shared memories that we see differently from each other. Now imagine how much harder coming to grips with the complexity of your parent would be if your dad was an infamous serial killer. That’s the premise of Happy Face, a new true crime drama from The Good Wife creators Robert King and Michelle King.
Annaleigh Ashford, who recently thrilled on Broadway as the murderous Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, stars as Melissa Reed. Melissa is a wife, a mother, and a professional make-up artist — and the haunted daughter of the Happy Face Killer, Keith Jesperson (The Substance‘s Dennis Quaid). During the decades since he was caught, they have been estranged. That is, until he claims there was a ninth victim the cops never tied to him. But he’ll only give details to his darling “Missy,” who just so happens to work for a talk show that’s equally eager for exclusive interviews with this serial killer.
This is a rich setup for a crime investigation thread. But what makes Happy Face a standout is how series showrunner Jennifer Cacicio balances the murder mystery with character-driven drama that is alarmingly relatable. Be warned: This show is ruthlessly gripping.
Happy Face is based on a true crime case and a survivor’s story.
Credit: Ed Araquel / Paramount+
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