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Happy Face: Know Everything About the Father-Daughter Serial Killer Series
The latest Happy Face trailer has just dropped, giving fans a chilling glimpse into the intense drama of this true-crime-inspired series. Dennis Quaid steps into the unsettling role of Keith Hunter Jesperson, the notorious "Happy Face Killer," bringing a real-life terror to the screen.
This adaptation of the podcast by Melissa Moore dives deep into the psychological tension and haunting legacy of a man who terrorized his victims in the '90s. With gripping visuals and a haunting tone, this new trailer has left fans eager for more.
Expect a powerful exploration of one of the most twisted father-daughter relationships in criminal history. The Happy Face series is shaping up to be a must-watch for true crime enthusiasts and drama lovers alike. Stay tuned as we continue to update this page with all the latest developments, teasers, and exclusive insights into the upcoming show!
Release date & Where to Watch
Happy Face premieres globally on Paramount+ on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The first two episodes will drop on the same day. The remaining episodes will be released weekly on Thursdays, with the season finale on May 1, 2025.
What is the plot of Happy Face?
Happy Face follows Melissa G. Moore, who, at 15, discovered that her father, Keith Hunter Jesperson, was the infamous Happy Face Killer. Now an adult, she has worked hard to distance herself from his horrific legacy, changing her name and keeping her past a secret.
After years of no contact, Jesperson forces his way back into Melissa’s life from behind bars. As she struggles with the emotional fallout, she learns that an innocent man may be on death row for one of her father’s crimes. Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks on a desperate investigation that forces her to confront the impact of her father’s actions—not just on herself, but on the families of his victims.
As Melissa races against time, she must navigate the tension between her carefully built life, the manipulations of her father, and the weight of her own identity. With her husband growing increasingly concerned, Melissa is forced to ask herself: Can she ever truly escape her father’s shadow?
Who’s Starring in Happy Face?
- Dennis Quaid as Keith Hunter Jesperson, the notorious "Happy Face Killer”
- Annaleigh Ashford as Melissa Moore, the daughter of Keith Jesperson, who works as a makeup artist on The Dr. Greg Show.
- James Wolk as Ben Moore, Melissa’s husband
- David Harewood as Dr. Greg, the charismatic host of the popular daytime health and talk show, The Dr. Greg Show.
- Tamera Tomakili as Ivy, a producer on The Dr. Greg Show
- Khiyla Aynne as Hazel, the Moores' 15-year-old daughter
- Benjamin Mackey as Max, the Moores' 9-year-old son
- Damon Gupton as Elijah, a convict on death row in Texas for a 1995 murder.
- Momona Tamada as Eva, Hazel’s best friend and a true crime enthusiast.
- Carolyn Adair as Texas Waitress
- Connor Paton as Tyler
- River Codack as Josh
- Philip Granger as Chave
- Zara Nikou Sichani as Victoria
- Jennifer Spence as Renee
- Ava Telek as Summer
- Marci T. House as Joyce
- Kathleen Duborg as June
- Charles Zuckermann as Co. Bassett
- Patrick Gilmore as Cody
- Jenn Lyon as Gillian
- Teach Grant as Ashton McBride
Is There a Trailer for Happy Face?
The Happy Face trailer delivers a tense and emotional glimpse into Melissa G. Moore’s battle with her past. It opens with Melissa making a firm call to the Oregon Department of Corrections, leaving no room for misinterpretation: “I’m going to say this slowly so you understand: Stay out of my life and stay away from me and my kids.” She then crushes the phone under her foot—a powerful act of defiance.
But no matter how hard she tries to escape, her father, the infamous Happy Face Killer, pulls her back in. He refuses to speak with anyone but her, holding back a confession about an undisclosed victim. As she confronts him, the weight of their connection lingers. “He wasn’t always a monster. He became one. Before that, he was just… my dad,” she reflects.
The tension escalates as father and daughter come face-to-face in a chilling exchange. “You’re just like your old man,” he taunts. But Melissa stands her ground, defiantly responding, “I’m not like you at all.” With haunting visuals and a gripping score, the trailer teases a psychological battle that will leave audiences on edge.
Watch the previously released teaser trailer below.
Episode Guide
- Season 1 Episode 1: The Confession (Thursday, March 20, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 2: Killing Sham (Thursday, March 20, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 3: Was it Worth It? (Thursday, March 27, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 4: Controlled Burn (Thursday, April 3, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 5: Don't Dream (Thursday, April 10, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 6: Lorelai (Thursday, April 17, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 7: My Jesperson Girls (Thursday, April 24, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 8: The Star (Thursday, May 1, 2025)
Is Happy Face Based on a true Story?
Yes, Happy Face is based on the true story of Melissa G. Moore, who discovered at 15 that her father was the serial killer known as the "Happy Face Killer."
The show draws inspiration from Moore’s life, her autobiography Shattered Silence (co-written with M. Bridget Cook), and the Happy Face podcast from iHeartPodcasts. As an adult, Moore changed her name and kept her past a secret while her father served a life sentence in prison.
Who was the Happy Face Killer?
Keith Hunter Jesperson, known as the "Happy Face Killer," earned his nickname for drawing smiley faces on letters where he confessed to his crimes.
When & Where did Happy Face film?
Principal photography was conducted in Vancouver from March 19 to June 19, 2024. In May, some scenes were filmed at New Westminster City Hall, standing in for Texas.
Behind the Scenes
The series is written by Jennifer Cacicio and produced by CBS Studios in association with King Size Productions, iHeartPodcasts, and Semi-Formal Productions. Cacicio also serves as showrunner and executive producer alongside Robert and Michelle King, Liz Glotzer, Melissa G. Moore, Conal Byrne, Will Pearson, Michael Showalter, and Jordana Mollick. Showalter directed the first episode. Paramount Global Content Distribution handles the series' distribution.
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