Crime series based on “sensational story” with a “unique spin” cancelled after one season

The crime drama titled “Happy Face,” which was inspired by an extraordinary tale, has unfortunately been terminated following its first season.

The Paramount+ series narrates the true account of Melissa Jesperson-Moore, portrayed by Annaleigh Ashford, who, when she was just 15 years old, uncovered the horrifying truth that her father, Keith (played by Dennis Quaid), was in fact the notorious serial killer, famously known as the Happy Face Killer.

According to Moore’s 2018 podcast titled the same and her 2009 autobiography “Shattered Silence”, the eight-episode series debuted in March and wrapped up in May, but it appears that this will be its sole appearance as it has been reported that the streaming service is not planning to produce a second season.

In the show crafted by Jennifer Cacicio, we follow Melissa’s journey towards rebuilding her life, as her incarcerated father tries to reach out. However, she finds herself confronting her past in order to make a fresh start.

Featuring James Wolk and Tamera Tomakili, this show received a mix of positive and negative responses from critics when it debuted, earning a 57% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 23 reviews.

The site’s critical consensus is: “In the series ‘Happy Face’, Annaleigh Ashford and Dennis Quaid deliver a captivating duo, yet the show falls short of meeting the exceptional standard set by Michelle and Robert King in their past productions due to its inconsistent tone.

Mashable highly commended it as the upcoming “obsession” for true crime enthusiasts, while The Independent admired Quaid’s “chilling” portrayal in a show that delivered an engaging narrative with great efficiency.

As a gamer immersed in the world of gaming, I can’t help but appreciate the unique twist that the series offers, a refreshing departure from the usual formula. Kudos to them for keeping things interesting! Furthermore, it’s impressive how they managed to maintain the momentum throughout all eight parts, making each one feel like a captivating episode in a compelling drama. Bravo, indeed!

In a somewhat less enthused manner, Variety expressed their viewpoint that the series seemed to be missing the lively, agile, and unpredictable style which characterized earlier creations by Michelle and Robert King.

As a devotee, I find myself grappling with an unsettling observation about “Happy Face”: the overall production seems to lack the necessary sense of urgency. This sentiment was echoed by The Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, The Guardian characterized it as having an oddly soap-operatic quality and feeling undercooked.

Happy Face is streaming on Paramount+.

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2025-07-22 21:49