Netflix has announced the cast for its upcoming true crime series, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, which will premiere globally on October 3. The show, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, explores the life and crimes of American serial killer Ed Gein, also known as 'the Butcher of Plainfield' and 'the Plainfield Ghoul'. This is the third instalment in Netflix's Monster franchise, following the success of Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
British actor Charlie Hunnam, best known for Sons of Anarchy, will play the titular role. He is joined by an ensemble cast including Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock, Laurie Metcalf as Ed's mother Augusta Gein, and Vicky Krieps as Ilse Koch. Other cast members include Olivia Williams, Joey Pollari, and Lesley Manville. The series delves into Gein's disturbing relationship with his mother and his gruesome crimes, which inspired iconic horror films such as Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Ryan Murphy expressed his fascination with Gein, calling him 'one of the most influential people of the 20th century' despite his relative obscurity. Ian Brennan, who wrote the entire series, told Netflix's Tudum: 'I think this is the best season of the three, and I think it's going to blow people's socks off.' He acknowledged the challenge of telling the story of a little-known killer to a global audience.
All episodes of Monster: The Ed Gein Story will be available to stream on Netflix from October 3. The series promises to 'unmask the origins of modern horror' this autumn.
