High off his performance as a sleazy TV executive in “The Substance,” Dennis Quaid is taking on another chilling character, playing real-life serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson on Paramount+’s “Happy Face.” The series draws inspiration from Melissa Moore’s 2009 autobiography “Shattered Silence” and her 2018 podcast “Happy Face,” in which she details the crimes of Jesperson, her father, who became known as the Happy Face killer. The drama’s first two episodes drop via the streamer on March 20.
Starring Annaleigh Ashford as Moore, “Happy Face” is likely to be a hit amongst whodunit fans. Want to learn more about this upcoming series, like who helped cast the project? Let this be your go-to resource.
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At 15, Melissa discovered her father, Keith, was the Happy Face serial killer, defined by the smiley faces he drew on letters he sent to media outlets and the police. He’s now serving a life sentence in an Oregon penitentiary for murdering eight women. But as Keith attempts to work his way back into Melissa’s life, the distraught daughter must grapple with the fact that another man might be sentenced to death for a crime her father committed. Can she uncover the truth in time and bring the right man to justice?
Kara Eide and Kris Woznesensky of Kris & Kara Casting are the main CDs on “Happy Face.” Based in Vancouver, the longtime duo has cast a number of feature films and series during their partnership, including “Animal Control” (2025), “Joy Ride” (2023), and “Wonder” (2017).
Crime dramas can bring some intense emotions to the table whether you’re playing a serial killer or one of their victims. So you’ll need to dig deep to convince casting directors you have what it takes to portray these often real-life personalities onscreen. These guides can help you hone your approach:
While we can’t yet confirm if “Happy Face” will return for Season 2, there are plenty of opportunities you can sink your teeth into in the meantime. These roundups have what you need to get started:
We also recommend bookmarking these casting directory pages, which are regularly updated with the latest opportunities to expand your acting résumé:
Check out these guides for advice on how to ace the audition process: