‘Monster’ Season 3 casts Laurie Metcalf as Ed Gein's mother, Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock

Netflix’s Monster Season 3 has expanded its already impressive cast with the addition of acclaimed actors Laurie Metcalf, Tom Hollander, and Olivia Williams, promising an even more captivating storyline for fans of the anthology series.

Laurie Metcalf, celebrated for her Emmy-winning performances in Roseanne and her Oscar-nominated role in *Lady Bird*, will take on the powerful role of Augusta Gein, the controlling and deeply religious mother of infamous serial killer Ed Gein.

Charlie Hunnam, known for his work in Sons of Anarchy and Pacific Rim, will portray Ed Gein, whose horrifying crimes in the 1950s not only shocked the world but also inspired some of the most iconic horror characters in cinematic history.

Tom Hollander, who recently collaborated with *Monster* co-creator Ryan Murphy on *Feud*, will step into the shoes of legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock’s connection to the Gein story is profound, as Gein’s gruesome crimes served as one of the primary inspirations for *Psycho*, Hitchcock’s groundbreaking 1960 thriller. Olivia Williams, known for her roles in *The Crown* and *Rushmore*, will play Hitchcock’s wife and collaborator, Alma Reville, whose influence on her husband’s work was significant but often overshadowed. This dynamic will likely be explored in the season, adding depth to the exploration of how Gein’s crimes reverberated through both real life and cinema.

Season 3 of *Monster* is set to delve into not just the life and crimes of Ed Gein, but also how his actions influenced cultural touchstones such as Robert Bloch’s novel *Psycho*, which was later adapted into Hitchcock’s iconic film. Hitchcock’s adaptation remains one of the most enduring horror films of all time, and *Monster* will examine the intersection of true crime and Hollywood’s fascination with it.

Laurie Metcalf’s casting as Augusta Gein is particularly noteworthy given her extensive career in both television and theater. Her portrayal of a domineering and fanatically religious mother figure is expected to be chilling, and her collaboration with Ryan Murphy could bring a new dimension to the character’s role in shaping her son’s disturbing psychology. Meanwhile, Tom Hollander’s depiction of Alfred Hitchcock promises to offer insights into the famed director’s creative process, as well as the darker inspirations behind one of his most famous films.

*Monster*, which first debuted in 2022 with the story of Jeffrey Dahmer, has become one of Netflix’s most critically acclaimed anthology series, known for its deep dives into the lives of notorious criminals and the societal impact of their crimes. Season 2, focusing on Lyle and Erik Menendez, was met with high viewership and acclaim for its portrayal of the infamous brothers who murdered their parents. With the third season now focusing on Ed Gein and his indirect influence on Hitchcock’s *Psycho*, audiences can expect another gripping and thought-provoking narrative that blends true crime with the impact it had on pop culture.