Dennis Quaid and Khiyla Aynne’s Tense Encounter in ‘Happy Face’ Revealed!

EXCLUSIVE: Tonight on the Paramount+ series Happy Face, Khiyla Aynne, portraying Hazel Reed, steps into a challenging role as her character embarks on a controversial path.

Hazel is depicted as the granddaughter of the infamous Happy Face killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson. The characters are inspired by real individuals. Aynne shared with Deadline her insights on portraying a real-life figure and the efforts by the production team to ensure her first scene with Dennis Quaid, who plays her incarcerated grandfather, felt genuinely authentic.

You can view a snippet from their first meeting in the video link above.

The series, produced by CBS Studios, is based on Melissa Moore’s real-life experiences, her Happy Face podcast in collaboration with iHeartPodcasts, and her autobiography Shattered Silence, co-written with M. Bridget Cook.

The plot centers around Melissa (played by Annaleigh Ashford) and her father, the Happy Face Killer (Quaid). After years of silence, her father finds a way to reintegrate into her life. Melissa faces a ticking clock to prove an innocent man’s innocence in a crime her father committed, learning about her father’s effects on the victims’ families, and confronting her own identity.

Moore’s children, Hazel and Max Reed, are portrayed by Aynne and Benjamin Mackey, respectively.

DEADLINE: How did it feel to work on a series revolving around such intense real-life events?

KHIYLA AYNNE: The subject matter is undeniably intense, but we managed to maintain a light and positive atmosphere off-camera. We played games like Uno and shared jokes during breaks. The crew and cast were absolutely fantastic to work with.

DEADLINE: In episode 5, Hazel secretly connects with her grandfather, despite her mother’s efforts to keep them apart. Could you discuss the importance of this encounter?

KA: Indeed, episode 5 is crucial for Hazel as she defies her mother to speak with her grandfather. Viewers might find themselves yelling at the screen, urging her to end the call. Hazel is conflicted, feeling validated by her grandfather who encourages her to form her own opinions, a stark contrast to her mother’s protective guidance.

DEADLINE: But at 15, isn’t there a risk in thinking you know better than your parents?

KA: Absolutely. From the very beginning, we see Hazel’s curiosity about her origins, especially after overhearing that her father is the Happy Face killer. This discovery propels her on a journey of self-exploration, digging into her family’s dark past. The evolving relationship with her grandfather could have unforeseen consequences, especially as he maintains some outside contacts despite being incarcerated.

DEADLINE: Could you share your approach to getting into character?

KA: It was challenging to mentally prepare for a role where I’d be interacting with a serial killer. Our director, Ramaa Mosley, made some pivotal decisions, including keeping Dennis and me from meeting until the show’s premiere, to add authenticity to our initial on-screen interaction.

DEADLINE: So, you didn’t meet each other while filming?

KA: Correct. We only crossed paths briefly during a lunch break, but our proper introduction happened much later. This was a deliberate choice by Ramaa to enhance the realism of our characters’ first conversation.

DEADLINE: Was there additional pressure in portraying a real person?

KA: There’s certainly a unique kind of pressure when you’re representing someone real. It’s about respecting their story and hoping to make them proud with your portrayal.

DEADLINE: Did you have an opportunity to meet Melissa or Hazel?

KA: I met them after filming concluded. They were incredibly gracious and supportive. We had communicated through social media before meeting, and Hazel expressed appreciation for how I represented her on screen. We spent quite some time together in Austin.

DEADLINE: Before we conclude, can you hint at what’s next for Hazel? She seems to be making some risky choices.

KA: Hazel’s journey includes dealing with bullying and the complexities of new social dynamics as she gains attention for her actions. It’s clear she’s navigating through significant challenges, and viewers will have to stay tuned to see how her decisions unfold throughout the season.