• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Auto Upholsterer Turns CA Serial Killer

November 19, 2015 By Nadeem Muaddi

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Wicked City

I always said that auto upholstery professionals were underrepresented on television, but I never meant for them to be profiled like this: ABC premiered new crime drama “Wicked City” last month, in which the main character is a “manager of an auto upholstery shop by day and a sadistic killer by night.”

The show, which is set in seedy West Hollywood in the 1980’s, follows Kent Grainger, played by actor Ed Westwick, as he goes “praying on naive young girls looking for their big break…being whoever his victims need him to be and promising to make their dreams come true.” But he’s not just a serial killer, he’s a necrophiliac too!

The show is dark and gritty, and of course doesn’t focus so much on auto upholstery. The fact that Grainger works in a shop is more of a happenstance than an essential element of the story. However, it’s a good thing he does — because he sometimes murders his victims in his car, and we all know how difficult it is to remove bloodstains.

Check out the trailer below:

I know, I know… you’re all rolling your eyes. Me too actually. But I’m also kind of amused that the main character is an auto upholsterer. Though I do wish it was more of a flattering role… right??

You can only watch “Wicked City” on ABC’s website, as it was pulled off television this month due to low ratings. ABC will broadcast a new episode online every Tuesday at 10|9c. Check it out… or not… whatever.

Filed Under: Archive, Odd News Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Wicked City

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. rocketkustom says

    November 20, 2015 at 1:47 am

    Sounds like they’ve borrowed a bit from the Hillside Strangler case.. Actual auto upholsterers turned serial killers in LA.

    • Nadeem Muaddi says

      November 20, 2015 at 6:05 am

      Yup. In fact, the police in the first episode liken the auto upholsterer to a copycat of the Hillside Strangler.

Primary Sidebar

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • Keyston Bros
  • MasterTech Expo 2026
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Hyde Leather
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Albright's Supply

THR Favorites

The Hog Ring - Trimmers are Rocking Our Design Studio

Trimmers are Rocking Our Design Studio

Auto trimmers all over the world are … [more] about Trimmers are Rocking Our Design Studio

The Hog Ring - Meet Aspiring Auto Trimmer Lauren Ralphie Marusic

Meet Aspiring Auto Trimmer Lauren ‘Ralphie’ Marusic

We interview a lot of master craftsmen, but … [more] about Meet Aspiring Auto Trimmer Lauren ‘Ralphie’ Marusic

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Cutters Custom Stitchin Inc

Shop Profile: Cutter’s Custom Stitchin’

There’s a three-man auto upholstery shop in … [more] about Shop Profile: Cutter’s Custom Stitchin’

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Tandy Super Skiver

The $20 Skiving Tool Every Trim Shop Needs

Unwilling to drop big bucks on a leather … [more] about The $20 Skiving Tool Every Trim Shop Needs

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Estimates 101

Estimating 101: What You Need to Know

Giving fair price estimates is one of the … [more] about Estimating 101: What You Need to Know

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - French Seam

Should You Reinforce French Seams?

To back or not to back? That is the question. … [more] about Should You Reinforce French Seams?

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Keyston Bros Drops 10 New Carbon Fiber Vinyl Colors and They Pop
  • Trimmer Michael Andrew Piccolo Dies at 67
  • 2026 SEMA Show Registration Opens May 4
  • Nexus Fastening Co. Introduces Solid Gold Hog Rings for Luxury Cars
  • Everything We Covered in March 2026

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2026 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in