Happy Face
Paramount+ has officially ordered *Happy Face*, a series adaptation of the podcast of the same name. If it moves forward to full series, it will likely stream on Paramount+ (which will be rebranded from CBS All Access next year). The show is being developed by *The Good Fight* creators Michelle and Robert King, in collaboration with *Your Honor* writer Jennifer Cacicio, who will lead the writers' room. The podcast tells the story of Melissa Moore, who, at the age of 15, discovered that her father, Keith Hunter Jesperson, was a serial killer. He was dubbed the “Happy Face Killer” because he drew smiley faces on letters he sent to the media and prosecutors. As an adult, Moore changed her last name and severed all contact with her incarcerated father. However, when he reaches out claiming there are more victims, she becomes entangled in an extraordinary investigation—one that delves into her father’s crimes, their impact on the victims’ families, and ultimately, forces her to confront her own identity. Moore previously wrote a memoir about her experience, titled *Shattered Silence*.
User Reviews
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Drama Viewing Notes
Story Summary:
Melissa, who appears to have a perfect life and successful career, is recruited by the police to help investigate a cold case. The twist? Her estranged father is none other than the notorious serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson—aka the Happy Face Killer. Keith wants to see his daughter again and offers previously undisclosed information about his crimes in exchange for a conversation with her. As long-buried family secrets resurface, Melissa’s home life begins to unravel.
Viewer Commentary:
This series breaks away from the typical true-crime formula that centers solely on the killer. Instead, it shifts the focus to the emotional and psychological aftermath experienced by the killer’s family. In one memorable scene, when the father and daughter reunite after fifteen years, viewers might expect a grim, suspenseful interrogation. Instead, it’s unexpectedly warm and humorous—like a dysfunctional family reunion, complete with dad lecturing his daughter and the daughter snapping back. It’s an unusual, yet refreshing, narrative choice for the genre.
Acting Highlights:
The performances are a major highlight. Annaleigh Ashford (gorgeously blonde and radiant!) brings Melissa to life with nuance and vulnerability. Her soft, high-pitched voice and expressive emotional delivery vividly convey Melissa’s internal turmoil, her shock upon hearing from her father, and her helplessness in the face of a crumbling family. Dennis Quaid, playing the killer dad Keith Jesperson, is equally compelling. With subtle shifts in tone and expression, he portrays a man who is manipulative, oddly charming, and chillingly evil—keeping viewers both fascinated and uneasy.
Production Quality:
The production is solid. Scenes involving forensic investigation and clue-tracing are handled with effective editing and camera work, maintaining suspense. The art direction thoughtfully complements the emotional tone: flashbacks are cast in dim, muted hues to reflect trauma and oppression, while present-day sequences are sharper and brighter, emphasizing tension and uncertainty.
Overall Impression:
This series is ideal for viewers who enjoy a blend of crime drama and emotional family narratives, and who appreciate deeper psychological exploration. It offers thoughtful commentary on the social ripple effects of real-life crimes and benefits from strong performances and stylistic coherence. However, those who favor tightly-paced plots and airtight storytelling may find it somewhat lacking in narrative rigor.