True crime fans will be delighted with this news. Dennis Quaid is set to helm the cast of the upcoming Paramount+ series, “happy face.’ This series, inspired by true events, delves into the dark narrative of a notorious serial killer and the profound impact on his family, especially his daughter.

“happy face” is rooted in the telling true-life story of Melissa Moore, who discovered as a teenager that her father was the infamous serial killer named “happy face” for the smiley faces he drew on letters boasting of his crimes. This revelation rocked Moore’s life, causing her to change her name and keep her father’s identity a secret while he serves a life sentence in prison.

The series aims to explore the complex relationship between “Happy Face” (played by Quaid) and his daughter, Melissa (played by Annaleigh Ashford). After years of silence, the serial killer finds a way to re-enter his daughter’s life, setting off a series of events that forces Melissa to confront her father’s legacy. She embarks on a quest to determine whether an innocent man is at risk of execution for one of her father’s crimes, all while grappling with the larger implications of her father’s actions on the families of his victims 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 iHeartMedia and Melissa Moore’s podcast of the same name and the book “Shattered silence,” co-written by Moore and M. Bridget Cook.

The eight-episode series is slated to begin production this spring in Vancouver, with a premiere date Paramount+ scheduled for 2025. Behind the scenes, Jennifer Cacicio takes the helm as writer, executive producer and showrunner. The project also boasts notable names executive producing, including Robert and Michelle King, Liz Glotzer, Moore herself and Michael Showalter, who is also directing the first episode.

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