Paramount+ has recently announced that Dennis Quaid will be the star of their upcoming drama series, Happy Face. Alongside Quaid, Annaleigh Ashford will also feature in the show, which is set to delve into the dark realm of a notorious serial killer.
In a surprising twist, Quaid will be playing against type as he takes on the role of a serial killer named Happy Face. The character earned this nickname due to his habit of drawing smiley faces on evidence, boasting about his heinous crimes. The series, based on the real-life story of Melissa Moore, the killer's daughter, will explore the aftermath of her father's actions and the impact it has on her life.
Happy Face, in prison for his crimes, manages to find a way to force himself back into Melissa's life after decades of no contact. The story follows Melissa as she is drawn back into her father's world and must confront the truth about his crimes. As she navigates through a web of deception and darkness, Melissa uncovers a devastating revelation - an innocent man might be put to death for a crime her father committed.
The show, created by executive producers Robert and Michelle King (known for their work on Evil and The Good Fight), draws inspiration from various sources, including the true-crime podcast Happy Face by iHeartPodcasts and Moore, as well as Moore's autobiography, Shattered Silence, co-authored with M. Bridget Cook. This multi-faceted approach ensures that the series will offer both a thrilling narrative and a deep exploration of Melissa's personal journey.
Dennis Quaid is no stranger to the screen, having received both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations throughout his career. His recent work includes projects such as Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Max's Full Circle, and feature films like Blue Miracle, Strange World, and Midway. In addition to all this, he has also just finished filming for the biopic Reagan, where he portrays the 40th president of the United States.
Happy Face is being produced by CBS Studios in association with King Size Productions, iHeartPodcasts, and Semi-Formal Productions. Showrunner Jennifer Cacicio, known for her work on Showtime's Your Honor, leads the production. Other notable executives and producers involved include Liz Glotzer, Melissa Moore herself, Conal Byrne, Will Pearson, Michael Showalter (who will be directing the first episode), and Jordana Mollick.
With an incredibly talented cast and production team, Happy Face promises to be a gripping and thought-provoking series that explores the psychological impact of a notorious killer's actions on his own daughter. Combining elements of true crime, personal identity, and morality, this Paramount+ drama is sure to captivate audiences when it finally makes its premiere.
