Ryan Murphy has unquestionably created a highly lucrative new venture with his Netflix anthology series Monster.
The first season, entitled Jeffrey Dahmer – Monster, starred Evan Peters as the titular real-life serial killer. Greeted with critical acclaim, Peters would win a slew of awards for his work.
Now, we haven’t even reached the premiere of the second season yet… and already, a third season has been announced.
Ahead of the September 19th premiere of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, various reliable sources are reporting Netflix have greenlit a third batch of episodes, focusing on one of the most infamous serial killers to ever influence the horror genre.
Allegedly set to be titled Monster: The Ed Gein Story, the third season will see Sons of Anarchy actor Charlie Hunnam portray the highly disturbed “Butcher of Plainfield.”
Gein shocked the world in 1957, when it was discovered what horrors lay behind the door of his simple farmhouse. Following the death of his fanatical mother, Gein descended into a life of unspeakable crimes, including murder, grave robbing, cannibalism, and a quest to make a woman’s flesh suit to wear.
The Plainfield, Wisconsin crime spree first influenced the horror genre when author Robert Bloch used Gein as the inspiration for Norman Bates in his 1959 novel Psycho. Subsequently adapted by Alfred Hitchcock for the big screen, this opened the door for Gein’s crimes to inspire further iconic characters.
Leatherface of 1974’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is also based upon Gein, as is Buffalo Bill from 1991’s Academy Award Winning The Silence of the Lambs.
Far from just inspiring fictional killers, Gein has also been portrayed twice on film. Steve Railsback provided an uncanny performance in 2000’s Ed Gein, whereas Kane Hodder took a lot more creative license in 2007’s Ed Gein: Butcher of Plainfield.
How will Charlie Hunnam stack up against these previous portrayals? We’re undeniably curious to find out. Monster: The Ed Gein Story does not currently have a premiere date, but is expected in 2026.
