EntertainmentControversy erupts over Charlie Hunnam's casting as Ed Gein in Netflix series

Controversy erupts over Charlie Hunnam's casting as Ed Gein in Netflix series

Netflix will tell the story of Ed Gein's crimes.
Netflix will tell the story of Ed Gein's crimes.
Images source: © Getty Images | JOHN CROFT

8:27 AM EDT, September 18, 2024

After Netflix showcased the series on Jeffrey Dahmer and now on the Menéndez brothers, a third season of the "Monster" series is being prepared. It will tell the story of serial killer Ed Gein. The choice of actor for this role has not pleased everyone.

The first season of the "Monster" series featured Jeffrey Dahmer, portrayed by Evan Peters. It was an undisputed hit in Netflix viewership, making a second season a given. Starting on September 19, "Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendez," who were convicted in 1989 for the brutal murder of their parents, will be available for viewing. According to the official press release, production of the third season will begin next month, although the premiere date has not yet been announced. This time, Ryan Murphy's team will focus on Ed Gein, who will be played by Charlie Hunnam, known from "Sons of Anarchy."

Charlie Hunnam as a serial killer in Netflix production

In the latest season of the "Monster" series on Netflix, Charlie Hunnam will play the infamous serial killer Ed Gein. This decision has met with mixed reactions from viewers. Many users believe that Hunnam is not the right choice for this role.

One comment reads: "Unpopular opinion: we need to stop romanticising serial killers. I love Charlie Hunnam and am willing to see this portrayal, but Ed Gein is not a person I’d ever want to meet in real life." Another user added: "Ed Gein was one of the worst serial killers to ever live, he inspired Psycho and Leatherface and he did not look like Charlie Hunnam. He should not be hot." It is worth noting that in 2015, Hunnam had a chance to obtain the title of "the sexiest man alive," which was awarded annually by People magazine based on internet users' votes.

Charlie Hunnam began his career in 1996 and has since starred in numerous productions, such as "Sons of Anarchy," "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword," "The Gentlemen," "Papillon," "Pacific Rim," and "Green Street Hooligans." The appearance of this actor in the "Monster" series will surely bring significant viewership to Netflix.

Charlie Hunnam
Charlie Hunnam© Getty Images | Dia Dipasupil

The story of Ed Gein, who will be the "hero" of the third season, has inspired many fictional characters in pop culture, such as Leatherface from "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," Norman Bates from "Psycho," and Buffalo Bill from "The Silence of the Lambs." Gein was responsible for the murder of at least two women in 1957 and numerous grave robberies, from which he used the remains to create macabre decorations in his home. On his farm, bowls made from human skulls were found. The rest is so horrifying that we won't mention it.

Specialists declared that Ed Gein was schizophrenic and insane and, therefore, could not be tried for first-degree murder and sentenced to death. The court decided to place the murderer in a psychiatric hospital. After 10 years, a retrial found him guilty of the murder of one of the women, declared him insane, and sent him back to the psychiatric hospital. He died there in July 1984.

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