Monster Season 3 Cast: Where Have You Seen The Stars Of The Ed Gein Story Before?
After seasons dedicated to Jeffrey Dahmer and The Menéndez Brothers proved to be big (though divisive) hits for Netflix, the third instalment of the true crime anthology series Monster follows one of the most infamous serial killers in history, Ed Gein.
The latest iteration of Ryan Murphy’s show already has viewers gripped, appalled and terrified in equal amounts, featuring Charlie Hunnam as Gein, the 1950s murderer who killed and desecrated the bodies of multiple women in rural Wisconsin.
Like previous outings of Monster, The Ed Gein Story breaks down its central figure’s personality and what led to him becoming one of history’s most notorious killers.
But Charlie Hunnam isn’t the only big name in the new season Monster. If you thought one or two members of the cast looked familiar, here is where you have likely seen them before…
Charlie Hunnam
Before he was cast as the new lead in Monster, you may have known Charlie Hunnam better as Jax Teller in biker drama Sons Of Anarchy, or for his groundbreaking performance as Nathan in Russell T Davies’ original Queer As Folk in 1999
The Newcastle-born actor’s screen career has led to him playing the lead in Guillermo Del Toro’s monster blockbuster Pacific Rim, and working again with the director in gothic romance Crimson Peak.
His other film roles include The Lost City of Z and Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur: Legend of The Sword and The Gentlemen. His most recent film role was in Zack Snyder’s poorly-received sci-fi epic Rebel Moon.
Around a decade ago, Charlie was also cast as the lead in Fifty Shades Of Grey, but backed out at before filming began, with the part later going to Jamie Dornan. In a recent interview with Variety, Charlie insisted he has no regrets in leaving the role, and hasn’t “looked back” since.
Suzanna Son
Suzanna Son stars as Adeline Watkins, a woman who was romantically involved with the murderer Ed Gein.
The American actor first found fame playing Strawberry in Sean Baker’s 2021 film, Red Rocket, and she’s also no stranger to Netflix horror, having played Megan in Fear Street: Prom Queen.
She later had a role in The Weeknd’s ill-fated drama The Idol, playing Chloe, a member of Tedros’ cult.
Outside of her acting career, Suzanna is also a musician, with her version of NSYNC’s Bye Bye Bye even appearing on the soundtrack to Red Rocket.
Tom Hollander
Prolific English actor Tom Hollander plays Alfred Hitchcock in the third season of Monster. He became an international name after his portrayal of Lord Beckett in the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise and Mr Collins in the 2005 Joe Wright adaptation of Pride & Prejudice.
Tom is often associated with period dramas thanks to his roles in Gosford Park, Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Valkyrie, but in recent years, he has also acted in Hollywood blockbusters, including as the British prime minister in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and George V in the prequel The King’s Man.
More recently, you may have also seen him in action as Truman Capote in the latest season of Feud, which marked his first collaboration with Ryan Murphy, or as the wealthy British expat Quentin in the second season of The White Lotus.
Laurie Metcalf
Laurie Metcalf, who plays Ed Gein’s mother Augusta, has been a mainstay of the big and small screen for four decades, first rising to prominence thanks to her Emmy-winning role as Jackie in the sitcom Roseanne (as well as its short-lived spinoff, The Conners).
She has also guest starred on The Big Bang Theory as Sheldon’s mother, and recently won yet another Emmy for her guest appearance in Hacks.
On the big screen, she starred as Marion in Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird, earning an Oscar nomination for her role as a frustrated mother to Saoirse Ronan’s title character. Her other film roles include voicing Andy’s mum in the Toy Story films and a memorable appearance in the second Scream movie.
Vicky Krieps
Luxembourgish-German performer Vicky Krieps plays Ilse Koch in Monster: The Ed Gein Story.
Although she has years of experience working in German and French-language productions, Vicky found fame internationally through her role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread.
Since her breakout role in 2017, Vicky has starred in the historical drama Corsage, played Anne of Austria in the 2023 The Three Musketeers films and appeared alongside Viggo Mortensen in The Dead Don’t Die.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story is Vicky’s first English-language TV role, although she appeared in the 2018 Das Boot adaptation as Dr. Kim Koch.
Olivia Williams
Olivia Williams appears in the horror anthology as Alma Reville, the wife of Alfred Hitchcock.
The British star is best known to Netflix viewers for playing another real-life figure, Camilla Parker Bowles, in the last two seasons of the Netflix drama, The Crown.
She has appeared in numerous TV roles over her three-decade career, most recently playing shrewd politician Morgase Trakand in The Wheel of Time, Reverend Mother Tula Harkonnen in Dune: Prophecy and benefactress Lavinia Bidlow in The Nevers.
Olivia has an expansive film career, too. You may have seen her in The Father, alongside Anthony Hopkins’ Oscar-winning turn as a man with dementia, An Education and the action-thriller Hanna.
Despite all these well-known roles, there’s every chance you might also recognise her for her brief role in Friends, in which she played Emily’s bridesmaid in the season four finale, which was famously set in London.
Lesley Manville
Lesley Manville, who plays Ed’s final victim, is one of the UK’s most celebrated actors working right now.
Much like Olivia Williams, she starred in the last two series of The Crown, playing Princess Margaret. Lesley made her Ryan Murphy-verse debut in last year’s mind-bending Grotesquerie, while her other TV roles include Prime’s underwhelming Citadel, cosy comedy Mum and recent BBC drama Sherwood.
On the big screen, Lesley was Oscar-nominated for her role as Reynolds Woodcock’s sister in Phantom Thread.
Lesley is on a real roll at the moment, starring in a variety of wide-ranging roles including Dr Cotter in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, Amy Winehouse’s beloved grandmother in the biopic Back To Black and the lead in Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe.
Joey Pollari
In Monster, Joey Pollari plays Anthony Perkins, the actor most famous for originating the character of Norman Bates (a character who was directly inspired by Ed Gein).
Joey is best known for playing Eric Tanner on the second season of American Crime, and also appeared in the film Love, Simon as Lyle, one of Simon’s potential love interests.
His most recent TV role was a two-episode guest role in the sixth season of the military drama SEAL Team, and you may have also seen him in the romantic comedy Things Like This, written and starring Max Talisman.
Tyler Jacob Moore
Tyler Jacob Moore, who stars as Sheriff Schley in the new Netflix show, is best known for playing another authority figure, Tony Markovich, the police officer in the American version of Shameless.
His other notable TV roles include playing Prince Hans in Once Upon A Time and 10 episodes of the neo-Western show Ride.
Like Monster co-star Joey Pollari, Tyler has appeared in SEAL Team, as well as playing minor roles in Barry, Paradise, Revenge and Grey’s Anatomy.
Charlie Hall
Charlie Hall, who appears as the police deputy in Monster: The Ed Gein Story, most recently appeared in The Sex Lives Of College Girls.
You may also recognise him from his role in series two of the Disney+ series Big Shot, Amy Schumer’s comedy Life & Beth and the Fresh Prince reboot Bel-Air.
It’s well-documented that Ryan Murphy loves casting nepo babies, and Charlie certainly fits this criteria, too, as he is the son of Seinfeld and Veep actor Julia Lois Dreyfus and Saturday Night Live alum Brad Hall.
He and Ryan previously worked together on the second season of Monster, focussing on the Menéndez brothers, in a rare case of the anthology series reusing actors.
Will Brill
Will Brill plays real-life director Tobe Hooper in Monster, whose film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was inspired by Gein’s monstrosities.
You may know Will from Netflix’s underrated The OA or for playing Noah in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Monster is also not Will’s first time playing a real person, as he previously played Roy Cohn in Fellow Travelers.
His other TV credits include minor roles in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, The Time Travelers Wife, and Lisey’s Story.
You may also recognise Will from his most recent film appearance in Darren Arononofsky’s crime thriller, Caught Stealing, in which he played the homeless man outside the apartment building who interacts with Austin Butler’s character throughout the movie.
Mimi Kennedy
Mimi Kennedy appears in Monster: The Ed Gein Story as Dr. Mildred Newman, the controversial psychologist who famously used conversion therapy on actor Anthony Perkins.
The American actor is better known for her comedy performances in shows like Dharma & Greg and Mom, as well as guest roles in Veep, The Goldbergs and Grace And Frankie.
Although less known for her big-screen work, Mimi has appeared in films like Erin Brockovich, In The Loop and Midnight In Paris.
Addison Rae
Addison Rae’s appearance as Evelyn in the trailer for Monster: The Ed Gein Story went viral a few weeks back.
Until recently, the US star was best known as a social media personality, racking up almost 90 million followers on TikTok, before dipping her toes into music, film and now TV.
She made her acting debut in 2021, starring in the Netflix remake He’s All That, and later joined the cast of the Eli Roth horror Thanksgiving.
Earlier this year, Addison’s music career took off when she released her self-titled debut album, leading to her opening for Lana Del Rey on tour, having also appeared on the official remix of Charli XCX’s hit Von Dutch.
Addison looks set to continue juggling her music and acting career, and will next be seen in Animal Friends, alongside Ryan Reynolds and Aubrey Plaza.
Robin Weigert
Robin Weigert, who plays Enid Watkins, is best known for starring in Deadwood as Calamity Jane.
A mainstay of American television for three decades, Robin’s biggest roles include Sons Of Anarchy (alongside Monster: The Ed Gein Story lead Charlie Hunnam), Big Little Lies and, more recently, We Were The Lucky Ones.
She also has a long history working with Ryan Murphy, collaborating with him on The Politician and the American Horror Story seasons Roanoke and Double Feature.
Her film roles include 2013’s Concussion, for which she was nominated for a Gotham Independent Film Award, Bombshell and the 2022 horror Smile.