Monster: The John Wayne Gacy Story
| Monster: The John Wayne Gacy Story | |
|---|---|
| Genre |
|
| Based on | Crimes of John Wayne Gacy |
| Developed by | Jane Holloway |
| Written by | Jane Holloway |
| Directed by | Lena Ortega |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Production company | Horizon Television Studios |
| Original release | |
| Network | HBO |
| Release | February 8 – March 29, 2026 |
Monster: The John Wayne Gacey Story is an upcoming American crime drama television miniseries created by Jane Holloway for HBO. Initially announced under the working title Dark Pursuit, the project was revealed in September 2025 as part of the expanding Monster anthology series. The eight-episode miniseries is directed by Lena Ortega and dramatizes the life and crimes of John Wayne Gacy. It is scheduled to premiere on February 8, 2026, and conclude on March 29, 2026.
Premise
The series depicts the double life of John Wayne Gacy, exploring how he was able to present himself as a respected community figure while concealing the murders he committed. The dramatization combines psychological tension with an examination of how Gacy’s crimes remained undetected for years.
Episodes
The series will consist of eight episodes, airing weekly on HBO and streaming on Max.[1]
| No. | Title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Clown" | February 8, 2026 |
| 2 | "House of Secrets" | February 15, 2026 |
| 3 | "Missing Boys" | February 22, 2026 |
| 4 | "The Double Life" | March 1, 2026 |
| 5 | "Buried Beneath" | March 8, 2026 |
| 6 | "The Search Tightens" | March 15, 2026 |
| 7 | "Confessions" | March 22, 2026 |
| 8 | "The Crawl Space" | March 29, 2026 |
Production
The project was first announced by HBO in September 2025 under the title Dark Pursuit.[2] Jane Holloway was set as creator and writer, with Lena Ortega attached to direct all episodes.
Later that month, the project was retitled Monster: The John Wayne Gacey Story to align it with the Monster brand of dramatized true-crime anthology series.[3] The renaming was reported as a strategic shift to provide clearer marketing and thematic alignment with other entries in the franchise.
In September 2025, HBO confirmed the eight-episode count, episode titles, and release schedule.[1]
Reception
Following the announcement, online discussion highlighted both anticipation and concern. Some commentators praised the transparency of the new title, while others criticized the potential for sensationalism when dramatizing real-life crimes.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "HBO Reveals Episode Titles and Release Date for Monster: The John Wayne Gacey Story". Deadline. September 21, 2025. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ↑ "HBO Orders Limited Series 'Dark Pursuit' From Jane Holloway & Lena Ortega". Deadline. September 15, 2025. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Dark Pursuit Renamed: Monster: The John Wayne Gacey Story". Variety. September 20, 2025. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
External links
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- Upcoming drama television series
- HBO original programming
- American crime drama television series
- American biographical series
- Television series about serial killers
- Upcoming television series
- 2020s American television miniseries