Summary:
- Charlie Hunnam has been cast as infamous serial killer Ed Gein in the third season of Netflix’s Monster series.
- Known for his gruesome murders and grave-robbing in the 1950s, Gein inspired iconic Hollywood villains like Norman Bates and Buffalo Bill.
Charlie Hunnam has been cast as Ed Gein, the notorious serial killer whose horrifying crimes in the 1950s shocked the world. Announced by Monster series co-creator Ryan Murphy during a promotional event for Season 2, Hunnam’s role marks a new chapter in the successful Netflix anthology series.
Known for his brutal murders and grave-robbing, Gein became infamous for using human remains to create grotesque household items, a crime that influenced several iconic villains, including Norman Bates in Psycho and Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs.
Hunnam, widely known for his role as Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy, adds this dark portrayal to his growing list of TV roles, including Shantaram and the upcoming Criminal on Amazon. Following the success of its first two seasons, which focused on serial killers Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers, Monster continues to delve into real-life figures that left a haunting mark on American history.
#1. Ed Gein: A Chilling Inspiration for Hollywood Villains
Ed Gein’s horrific acts in Wisconsin during the 1950s turned him into one of the most notorious figures in American crime history. Not only did he murder multiple victims, but he also exhumed bodies from local cemeteries, using human remains to create disturbing household items.
Gein’s terrifying actions deeply influenced Hollywood, inspiring iconic villains like Norman Bates in Psycho and Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs. With Charlie Hunnam now set to play Gein, Monster Season 3 promises a chilling exploration of the man behind the gruesome legend.
Hunnam’s casting as Ed Gein follows his already diverse and successful television career. Known for his breakout role as Jackson “Jax” Teller in the hit FX series Sons of Anarchy, Hunnam has consistently taken on complex and intense roles. His portrayal in Sons of Anarchy earned him critical acclaim across the show’s seven-season run.
Recently, Hunnam starred in the Apple TV+ series Shantaram, and in May, it was announced that he will headline Amazon’s upcoming series Criminal. He has also appeared in notable films, including Pacific Rim, The Gentlemen, True History of the Kelly Gang, and the highly anticipated Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire. With Monster Season 3, Hunnam continues to expand his repertoire by taking on one of the most unsettling figures in true crime history.
#2. Monster’s Continued Success on Netflix
Monster made its debut on Netflix in 2022, quickly becoming a massive hit. The first season, which centered on the horrific crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer, received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for the performances of Evan Peters as Dahmer and Niecey Nash as Glenda Cleveland, a neighbor who repeatedly tried to alert the authorities about Dahmer’s activities. Peters’ portrayal earned him a Golden Globe, while Nash won an Emmy for her role.
The show currently ranks as the third most-watched series in Netflix’s history, underscoring its popularity. Season 2, which is set to debut on Sept. 19, focuses on the Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, who were convicted of killing their parents in 1989. Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch portray the brothers, while Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny play their parents. The series continues to captivate audiences with its unsettling, real-life stories of some of the darkest figures in history.
Monster is co-created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, both of whom serve as executive producers alongside Bardem, Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, David McMillan, Louise Shore, and Carl Franklin. The series also features a strong lineup of directors, including Brennan, Franklin, Max Winkler, Paris Barclay, and Michael Uppendahl.
Writers for the series include Murphy, Brennan, David McMillan, Todd Kubrak, and Reilly Smith. Following the success of the first two seasons, Monster Season 3 is expected to maintain the gripping storytelling and compelling performances that have made the anthology series one of Netflix’s biggest hits.
