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Actor Michael Chernus on Becoming Gacy—and Why It Wasn’t What You Think

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Manage episode 512816534 series 2648298
Content provided by Tony Brueski and Real Story Media. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Tony Brueski and Real Story Media or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
For decades, the story of John Wayne Gacy has been sensationalized, flattened into caricature, and spun into horror tropes. But in Peacock’s new limited series Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, that mask is coming off—and in this interview, we go behind the scenes with the team responsible for flipping the true crime genre on its head.
Joining us are series showrunner and executive producer Patrick McManus, actor Michael Chernus—who portrays Gacy with terrifying subtlety—and criminal defense attorney Bob Motta, whose father was on Gacy’s original legal team. Together, we dissect how the show avoids glorifying the killer and instead places the focus exactly where it belongs: on the victims, their families, and the systemic failures that allowed Gacy to operate in plain sight.
This isn’t a glorified biopic. There are no salacious murder scenes. No glamorizing evil. What you get is a chilling, grounded retelling that treats its subject matter—and its audience—with respect.
We also dig into what it takes to play a predator without slipping into caricature, what it’s like to listen to Gacy’s original defense tapes, and why true crime needs to evolve beyond its fascination with monsters and lean into the wreckage they leave behind.
If you care about accuracy, nuance, and storytelling with a conscience, this episode is essential.

#JohnWayneGacy #DevilInDisguise #PeacockOriginals #TrueCrimeSeries #MichaelChernus #BobMotta #HiddenKillersPodcast #TrueCrimeInterview #GacySeries #VictimCenteredStorytelling
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Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod
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Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Tik-Tok
https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod
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https://x.com/tonybpod
Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
  continue reading

11380 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 512816534 series 2648298
Content provided by Tony Brueski and Real Story Media. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Tony Brueski and Real Story Media or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
For decades, the story of John Wayne Gacy has been sensationalized, flattened into caricature, and spun into horror tropes. But in Peacock’s new limited series Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, that mask is coming off—and in this interview, we go behind the scenes with the team responsible for flipping the true crime genre on its head.
Joining us are series showrunner and executive producer Patrick McManus, actor Michael Chernus—who portrays Gacy with terrifying subtlety—and criminal defense attorney Bob Motta, whose father was on Gacy’s original legal team. Together, we dissect how the show avoids glorifying the killer and instead places the focus exactly where it belongs: on the victims, their families, and the systemic failures that allowed Gacy to operate in plain sight.
This isn’t a glorified biopic. There are no salacious murder scenes. No glamorizing evil. What you get is a chilling, grounded retelling that treats its subject matter—and its audience—with respect.
We also dig into what it takes to play a predator without slipping into caricature, what it’s like to listen to Gacy’s original defense tapes, and why true crime needs to evolve beyond its fascination with monsters and lean into the wreckage they leave behind.
If you care about accuracy, nuance, and storytelling with a conscience, this episode is essential.

#JohnWayneGacy #DevilInDisguise #PeacockOriginals #TrueCrimeSeries #MichaelChernus #BobMotta #HiddenKillersPodcast #TrueCrimeInterview #GacySeries #VictimCenteredStorytelling
Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video?

Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Tik-Tok
https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod
X Twitter
https://x.com/tonybpod
Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
  continue reading

11380 episodes

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