Charlie Hunnam’s fearless commitment to embodying the twisted mind of Ed Gein in ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story‘ has become one of the most talked-about aspects of Ryan Murphy’s latest Netflix project. Known for his intense performances and transformative acting process, Hunnam has once again proven that he’s willing to go to unsettling lengths to inhabit his roles.
The third season of Murphy’s Monster anthology series takes audiences into the grim, grotesque world of Ed Gein. With the show’s brutal imagery, psychological horror, and uncomfortable realism, it doesn’t hold back. Yet, to Hunnam, even the show’s most shocking moments were just another day on set.
Charlie Hunnam Visited Ed Gein’s Grave To Pay Respect
In an interview with GQ, series creator Ryan Murphy revealed that one of the most graphic and disturbing scenes in the show, a moment depicting Gein playing the accordion before sexually assaulting a corpse, barely rattled the actor. “He has to play La Vie en Rose with a polka beat,” Murphy explained. “And that was the thing where Charlie was like, ‘Oh my God, this accordion.’” When Murphy asked Hunnam if he had any concerns or suggestions about the scene, the actor simply shrugged and replied, “No, piece of cake.”
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That nonchalant response stunned even Murphy, who has spent decades directing dark, psychologically complex stories. “Charlie was unflinching,” Murphy said. “He didn’t approach it with fear or hesitation; he approached it with curiosity. That’s what makes him so good at what he does.” Co-creator Ian Brennan echoed the same sentiment. “Out of the corner of my eye, I just saw this thing turn around the corner of this farmhouse that we built on stage, and I looked over, it was him. It was Ed Gein. It sort of took my breath away.”
Hunnam’s dedication to the role reportedly went far beyond what was required. He immersed himself in the psychology of Gein, studied police reports, and even tracked down long-lost audio recordings of the killer. After filming wrapped, the actor made a quiet visit to Gein’s grave in Plainfield, a decision that sparked debate among fans. “I knew people might condemn me for paying respect to someone who committed such atrocious crimes,” Hunnam said.
“But my job is to not judge my character at all. There’s every chance I’ll be criticized for showing too much empathy, but I had to follow my instincts.” That empathy, coupled with Hunnam’s physical transformation, creates a performance that’s both haunting and heartbreakingly human. Viewers see not just a monster, but a man twisted by isolation, obsession, and delusion. It’s a difficult balance, but one that Hunnam achieves with unnerving ease.
Who Was Ed Gein’s ‘Girlfriend’, Adeline Watkins?
While ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’ centers on Gein’s gruesome crimes, it also sheds light on one of the strangest and least-discussed figures in his life, Adeline Watkins, played by Suzanna Son. In the Netflix series, Adeline is portrayed as a woman caught in the orbit of Gein’s darkness, a partner who continues to stay by his side despite witnessing his horrifying acts. One particularly disturbing scene features Gein presenting Watkins with a mutilated body, one of his victims.
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Though initially shocked, the show later depicts her continuing to date him, blurring the line between fear, fascination, and denial. However, who was Adeline Watkins, really? The real-life Adeline Watkins lived in Plainfield, Wisconsin. After Gein’s arrest in 1957, she told the Minneapolis Tribune that she had been romantically involved with Gein for more than 20 years. She even claimed he had proposed to her two years before his capture.
“He was good and kind and sweet,” Watkins said, describing Gein in stark contrast to his monstrous public image. Her mother even backed up her claims. According to Watkins, she and Gein shared a love of books and often discussed crime stories in the news. “I guess we discussed every murder we ever heard about,” she recalled. “Eddie told me how the murderer did wrong, what mistakes he made. I thought it was interesting.” She added that their last meeting was on February 6, 1955, two years before Gein’s arrest, when he proposed to her.
“I turned him down, but not because there was anything wrong with him. There was something wrong with me. I guess I was afraid I wouldn’t live up to what he expected of me.” Her claims quickly became tabloid fodder, sparking fascination and disbelief across the country. However, just two weeks later, Watkins retracted her statements, telling the Stevens Point Journal that her story had been “blown out of proportion” and contained “untrue statements.”
