On Monday, March 10, Happy Face, the upcoming drama series from Paramount+, made its world premiere at the Alamo Drafthouse during SXSW. The special event gave attendees an advanced screening of the series, which is set to debut on March 20 with two episodes, streaming exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and international markets where the service is available.
The premiere brought together key cast and creatives, including Annaleigh Ashford, Dennis Quaid, James Wolk, Tamera Tomakili, showrunner Jennifer Cacicio, and executive producers Melissa G. Moore, Robert King, Michelle King, and Liz Glotzer. Ahead of the screening, the cast and team also stopped by Paramount+’s The Lodge, an interactive SXSW activation that allowed guests to engage with content from the streaming platform, including a dedicated Happy Face experience.
Happy Face is inspired by the real-life story of Melissa G. Moore and the Happy Face podcast from iHeartPodcasts, as well as Moore’s autobiography Shattered Silence. The series follows Melissa Reed (Annaleigh Ashford), a woman who, at 15, learned that her father, Keith Jesperson (Dennis Quaid), was the serial killer known as “Happy Face.” Decades later, after years of avoiding contact, he re-emerges in her life from prison, setting off a chain of events that forces Melissa to confront her past while also investigating whether an innocent man is being held responsible for one of his crimes.
With themes of identity, justice, and the long-lasting impact of crime, Happy Face explores the complexities of Melissa’s journey as she navigates the weight of her father’s legacy.
Happy Face will premiere on March 20, 2025, on Paramount+ with the first two episodes, followed by weekly releases.
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