Not all monsters hide in the shadows — some once lived next door. Netflix’s Monster: The Ed Gein Story drags viewers into the chilling mind of the infamous “Butcher of Plainfield,” the killer whose crimes inspired Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Silence of the Lambs.
In Ryan Murphy’s latest addition to his hit crime anthology, Charlie Hunnam delivers a hauntingly raw performance as Ed Gein — a man torn between grief, obsession, and madness. This season doesn’t just retell the horror; it digs deep into Gein’s psyche, exposing the trauma, delusions, and twisted devotion that birthed one of America’s darkest legends.
Supported by a powerhouse cast, the series promises more than fear — it’s a reflection on how thin the line between human and monster can truly be. Prepare for unease, empathy, and terror in equal measure.
This article contains discussions of kidnapping, abuse, and murder.
In the television landscape today, there’s no shortage of serialized true crime stories—many of them from creator and writer Ryan Murphy. Within his Netflix deal, Murphy has already covered the stories of Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers, and when his Monster franchise returns on October 3, it will explore the 1950s Wisconsin-based serial killer Ed Gein. Also known as the Butcher of Plainfield, the notorious “bodysnatcher” and murderer will be played by Charlie Hunnam.
Unlike previous Monster installments, the Ed Gein version will also explore the killer’s infamy and depiction in horror films, with fictionalized versions of filmmakers like Alfred Hitchcock and Tobe Hooper included in the series. Read on to find out who will be embodying these famous names and the other major characters in Gein’s life in the cast of Monster: The Ed Gein Story.
Given that Gein served as one of the inspirations for Norman Bates and Hitchcock’s film “Psycho,” it would appear Season 3 of the hit Netflix anthology will delve into how Gein’s crimes influenced the film and the novel upon which the film was based.
Hollander received an Emmy nomination for his work in “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans.” His other TV credits include “The White Lotus,” “Rev,” “Taboo,” and “The Night Manager.” He is also known for his work in films like “Gosford Park,” the 2005 version of “Pride & Prejudice,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. He received both a Tony and Olivier Award nomination for his work in the play “Travesties.”
Williams recently appeared in Seasons 5 and 6 of “The Crown” at Netflix in the role of Camilla Parker Bowles. She is also set to appear in the upcoming Max series “Dune: Prophecy,” which serves as a prequel to the “Dune” films. Her other television roles include “Manhattan,” “Counterpart,” “Dollhouse,” and “The Nevers.” Williams is known for her roles in films like “Rushmore,” “The Sixth Sense,” “Hanna” (which also starred Hollander), “An Education,” and “Hyde Park on Hudson.”
Metcalf is repped by CAA. Hollander is repped by CAA, United Agents, and Anonymous Content. Williams is repped by CAA, Independent Talent Group, and Schreck Rose.
“Monster” originally debuted on Netflix in 2022. The first season received widespread acclaim, particularly for the performances of Evan Peters as Dahmer and Niecey Nash as Glenda Cleveland. Peters won a Golden Globe for the show, while Nash won an Emmy. It currently ranks as the third most-watched season of English language television in Netflix history. Netflix renewed the show for a second and third season in 2022. Season 2 of the series, which tells the story of Lyle and Erik Menendez and the murder of their parents, was released on Sept. 19.