Ryker Baloun Takes on a Chilling Role in Peacock’s Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy
- Brandon West
- 28 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Rising star and teen heartthrob Ryker Baloun is stepping into dark territory with his latest project, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, now streaming on Peacock.
The new drama, which premiered October 16 on Peacock, revisits one of America’s most infamous true crime stories, but with a fresh, more human perspective. Instead of glorifying Gacy’s horrific crimes, the series focuses on the lives lost and the societal failures that allowed his killing spree to continue for so long. The series picks up at the disappearance of teenager Rob Piest (Ryker Baloun) in 1978, which in real life was the investigation that led to Gacy's arrest. Critics have praised the show for its restraint and emotional weight, calling it one of the most thoughtful true-crime adaptations in years.
The cast, led by Michael Chernus as Gacy, includes standout performances from Gabriel Luna, Marin Ireland, and James Badge Dale. Baloun joins the ensemble in a pivotal supporting role that underscores his growing versatility as an actor. Known for his charm and screen presence, Ryker takes a creative risk by diving into darker material — and it’s paying off. His performance adds a layer of youthful intensity to the project, showing audiences he’s capable of much more than his past lighthearted work.
Outside of his dramatic turn in Devil in Disguise, Ryker can also be seen in ABC's The Connors, Teens React, a regular in Teen Vibes Magazine, and Brandon TV’s mini reality series Snowbound, which gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at a group of friends tackling the cold, chaos, and unexpected tension of a winter getaway. The contrast between Snowbound’s unscripted fun and Devil in Disguise’s haunting realism highlights just how wide Baloun’s range truly is.
As his star continues to rise, one thing’s clear; Ryker Baloun isn’t afraid to take chances. Whether he’s confronting darkness in Devil in Disguise or bringing real-life charm to Snowbound, he’s proving to be one of the most dynamic young talents to watch.