Happy Face is a disturbing true-crime drama set to premiere on Paramount+ in March 2025. The series will be inspired by the real-life story of Melissa G. Moore, the daughter of Keith Hunter Jesperson, known as the “Happy Face Killer.”
The story will focus more on Melissa G. Moore as she has to endure the trauma of her father’s evil crimes and help find justice for his victims. This series will explore her journey for self-discovery and her father’s impact on her identity.
Melissa G. Moore, the inspiration behind the series, has a compelling story to tell. She has appeared on various TV shows and specials, including Dr. Phil, Evil Lives Here, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. She has also served as a correspondent on Crime Watch Daily, mainly to discuss her father. Her book, ‘Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer’s Daughter, ‘is a gripping account of her horrifying experiences growing up with her father and the home she lived in.
Cast and Characters
Here is the main cast and character list for Happy Face:
- Annaleigh Ashford (as seen in Welcome to Chippendales) as Melissa G. Moore
- Dennis Quaid (as seen in Midway; On a Wing and a Prayer; Lawmen: Bass Reeves; Blue Miracle) as Keith Hunter Jesperson
- James Wolk as Ben Moore, Melissa’s husband
- David Harewood (as seen in The Night Manager) as Dr. Greg, host of “The Dr. Greg Show”
- Tamera Tomakili as Ivy, a producer on the show
- Khiyla Aynne as Hazel, the Moores’ 15-year-old daughter
- Benjamin Mackey as Max, the Moores’ 9-year-old son
Happy Face is produced by CBS Studios in association with King Size Productions, iHeartPodcasts, and Semi-Formal Productions. Jennifer Cacico is the showrunner and executive producer.
What to Expect from the Show
Based on the trailer, it appears to focus on Keith Hunter Jespersen’s daughter, Melissa G. Moore. The tone and mood conveyed in the trailer are haunting. As depicted in the real-life story, it’s as if Melissa feels haunted and traumatized by her father. Expect disturbing scenes and a fractured, unprecedented father-daughter relationship.
The premise does not reveal how much of Keith Hunter Jesperson’s crimes will be explored, but it hints that many flashbacks and contexts will exist.
The principal photograph happened on March 19, 2024, in Vancouver, and some scenes were shot in New Westminster City Hall, replacing Texas.
It will be interesting to see Dennis Quaid in a villainous role; he looks almost unrecognizable as a serial killer. Witnessing the chemistry between him and his counterpart, Annaleigh Ashford, will be interesting. They both have storied and experienced careers, so there’s plenty of experience here.
How and When to Watch
Happy Face will premiere on the streaming platform Paramount+ on March 20, 2025, with the first two episodes. Subsequent episodes will be released weekly. There will be eight episodes, with the series finale airing on May 1, 2025.
