Dateline NBC Preview: “Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy”
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Oct 20, 2025 
Patrick McManus, the showrunner and writer, emphasizes a fresh perspective by centering the victims and detectives in the series about John Wayne Gacy. Michael Chernus, who plays Gacy, shares insights on the creative choices around the notorious clown imagery, focusing on restraint to avoid glamorizing evil. They discuss the systemic failures of the Chicago PD, the human stories of the victims, and the detectives' dedication. The conversation reveals how personal narratives drive our fascination with true crime while aiming to honor those who suffered.
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Victim-Centered Narrative Shift
- Devil in Disguise reframes the Gacy story to focus on victims, families, and detectives rather than the killer.
- Showrunner Patrick McManus insisted the series highlight the ripple effects and systemic failures that allowed the crimes.
From Whodunit To Who Were They
- The series opens with knowledge of Gacy's crimes and asks 'who were they' instead of 'who did it'.
- Gabriel Luna and writers built vignettes to restore identities and stories to the victims.
Actor's Boundaries With a Dark Role
- Michael Chernus took the role knowing he wouldn't appear constantly and that murders wouldn't be shown on camera.
- He welcomed the limited presence due to the emotional toll of embodying Gacy.