Paramount+ just dropped the trailer for its new original drama series, Happy Face, based on a shocking true story. The eight-episode series premieres on Thursday, March 20, with two episodes, and will stream exclusively on Paramount+.
Here’s the Lowdown: Happy Face is inspired by the real life of Melissa G. Moore, who discovered at 15 that her father was the “Happy Face” serial killer. The series stars Annaleigh Ashford as Melissa and Dennis Quaid as her imprisoned father. After years of silence, he re-enters her life, forcing her to confront his crimes and her own identity.
What This Means Now: The series is launching soon, with the first two episodes available on March 20. New episodes will follow weekly on Thursdays, culminating in the season finale on May 1. The show boasts a strong cast, including James Wolk, Tamera Tomakili, Khiyla Aynne, and Benjamin Mackey, in addition to Ashford and Quaid.
The Bigger Picture: The show draws from multiple sources: Melissa G. Moore’s life, the Happy Face podcast, and her autobiography, Shattered Silence. It explores the profound impact of a parent’s horrific actions on their child, and the struggle to reconcile a loved one with a monstrous truth. The story raises questions of guilt, responsibility, and the possibility of redemption. Happy Face is produced by CBS Studios and has a strong creative team, including showrunner Jennifer Cacicio and executive producers Robert and Michelle King.
