Netflix’s “Monster” series remains in the spotlight, and this time the focus extends beyond the eagerly awaited launch of its second season. In a stunning announcement just days ahead of the season two premiere centered on the Menendez brothers, series co-creator Ryan Murphy caught fans off guard with a significant revelation regarding the show’s future.
While the story of Erik and Lyle Menendez caught people’s interest, the surprise revelation regarding season three has everyone buzzing. And this update arrives with a significant casting achievement that guarantees to bring a spine-tingling new chapter to the anthology series.
Murphy, recognized for his talent in transforming true crime into captivating television, shared the news at a promotional event in Los Angeles. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd keen to learn more about the forthcoming season of “Monster”, Murphy made a surprising announcement: Charlie Hunnam, renowned for his portrayal of Jackson “Jax” Teller in “Sons of Anarchy”, will portray the notorious serial killer Ed Gein in the third chapter of “Monster”.
Hunnam’s casting as Gein has already generated significant interest, given the unsettling and creepy essence of the character he will portray. Gein committed a series of gruesome acts in the 1950s that have had a lasting impact on America’s cultural landscape, according to chilling monikers.
While Gein’s official victim count is low he admitted to killing two women his legacy of terror stems from his heinous deeds of grave-robbing and using human remains to create home items. His narrative has influenced a number of legendary figures in the horror genre, such as Norman Bates from “Psycho”, Buffalo Bill from “Silence of the Lambs”, and Leatherface from “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”.
The revelation of Hunnam joining “Monster” for its third season came as a surprise, and information regarding the production remains closely guarded. Murphy suggests that the completion of all agreements for the upcoming season is unlikely at this time.
Nonetheless, the announcement that the series will explore the narrative of Ed Gein indicates that Netflix is diving back into some of the most chilling aspects of American true crime. When it came to light in the late 1950s, Gein’s story sent shockwaves through society.
In a small Wisconsin town, Gein emerged as a chilling figure when authorities uncovered the unsettling secrets within his home. In a shocking turn of events, the local hardware store owner Bernice Worden has gone missing, prompting authorities to investigate Gein’s home. They made a grim discovery there: they found Worden’s decapitated body and a disturbing array of items.
Among the items were lampshades and garments crafted from human skin, skulls repurposed as bowls, and an assortment of body parts meticulously preserved in jars. The fact that numerous items in Gein’s possession came from graves he had disturbed in local cemeteries, rather than solely from his victims, amplified the chilling nature of his actions.
Despite Gein’s admission to the murders of Bernice Worden and Mary Hogan, it was his shocking acts of corpse desecration and unsettling behavior that transformed him into a figure of true crime infamy. His actions laid the groundwork for some of the most chilling figures in horror literature, and his existence and mind have captivated interest for many years.
Hunnam, known for his performances in significant films such as “Pacific Rim”, “The Gentlemen”, and “Rebel Moon”, along with the recent series adaptation of “Shantaram”, is set to tackle one of his most challenging roles to date. Known for his powerful performances, we anticipate Hunnam to infuse the role of Gein with profound depth, reflecting the disturbing essence of his actions and the complex psychological layers that characterized his existence.
This role represents a notable departure for Hunnam, contrasting sharply with his earlier portrayals, which often emphasized physicality and action as opposed to the complex, introspective struggles of a real-life individual such as Gein. Murphy’s “Monster” series has emerged as a significant triumph for Netflix, with its inaugural season centering on Jeffrey Dahmer amassing over one billion viewing hours in just the first 60 days.
The series’ remarkable achievements, enhanced by exceptional performances from talents such as Evan Peters and Niecy Nash, have raised expectations for upcoming seasons. As the second season, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”, approaches its premiere, viewers are eagerly anticipating the newest chapter in this gripping true crime anthology.
In the forthcoming season, Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch will take on the roles of Lyle and Erik Menendez, while Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny will portray their parents. The case of the Menendez brothers, who took the lives of their parents in 1989, drew significant attention during their trial, especially because of their assertions of enduring abuse.
Nonetheless, it was their extravagant expenditures following the homicides that initially raised eyebrows, ultimately culminating in their conviction. As true crime enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the unfolding narrative of the Menendez brothers in the upcoming season two, the announcement of season three centering on Ed Gein adds an additional wave of excitement to the series.
By selecting Hunnam to portray one of America’s most infamous characters, Murphy and Netflix are reinforcing their strategy of merging real-life stories with prominent actors. This approach has proven successful, with the series now standing as Netflix’s third most-viewed show, following only “Stranger Things” and “Squid Game”.
The portrayal of Ed Gein in “Monster” furthers the series’ examination of individuals whose heinous acts have indelibly impacted American culture. Charlie Hunnam’s portrayal of Ed Gein promises another intense and chilling chapter in a series that has revolutionized the portrayal of real-life crime narratives on screen.
Enthusiasts of the series will need to be patient for more information, but it’s evident that “Monster” is poised to maintain its status as one of Netflix’s most beloved and spine-tingling anthologies.
Feature Image Credit: (Instagram/@charliehunnam.usa) (Netflix) (Instagram/@nicholasalexanderchavez)
