Playing a truly dark character can take a toll, and Charlie Hunnam knows this firsthand. After pouring his energy into portraying notorious killer Ed Gein for the show Monster, Hunnam felt a deep need to find closure. This led him to a most unusual place: Gein’s unmarked grave.
Hunnam, 45, spoke about his experience on the Today show before Season 3 premiered on Friday, October 3. He recalled a conversation with his girlfriend, Morgana McNelis. She had wisely told him, "Take some time when you finish. Because when you get home, you should be ready to see me." He had been filming in Chicago. So, he decided to stay an extra week to unwind. His plan was to be refreshed for Morgana when he finally got home. This led to an eight-hour car trip from Chicago to Wisconsin, where Gein grew up and is buried.
For Hunnam, visiting the gravesite was a "good conclusion" to the intense role. Gein’s tombstone was stolen in 2000. Since then, his burial spot has been repeatedly damaged and remains without any marker.
Hunnam shared what he felt compelled to say at the grave. He told Gein he hoped the story had been told honestly. He also made it clear he wasn’t inviting Gein’s dark influence to follow him. "I was ready to say goodbye to him and for that to be the end," Hunnam explained.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story shines a light on the "Butcher of Plainfield." Gein was found guilty of one first-degree murder. He also admitted to a second killing back in the 1950s. While many suspected Gein of more crimes, he only confessed to digging up several graves. He then made disturbing keepsakes from the bodies.
Earlier this month, Hunnam told Variety about his acting method for Gein. He believes an actor must feel a lot of love and understanding for a character to truly become them. Even for someone as terrible as Ed, Hunnam wanted to find the human side. He admitted that some people might think he was too forgiving or gentle with the character. But his goal was to bring Gein to life as truthfully and humanly as possible.
Ryan Murphy created Monster, but Gein’s crimes have inspired many works before. Classic horror films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Psycho used his story as a starting point. This season of Monster also explores how Gein’s crimes helped true crime become such a huge part of pop culture.
Showrunner Ian Brennan spoke to Tudum in October. He noted that the series turns the camera back on us, the audience. He explained that what we choose to watch and the stories we take in truly matter. They stay with us and have a real impact.
Hunnam also shared his take on Monster‘s main message with Tudum. He asked a big question: "Who really was the monster?" Was it Gein, a lonely man who suffered abuse his whole life and had undiagnosed mental illness? Or was it the many people who sensationalized his life for entertainment? Did they, in doing so, darken the American mind, and minds around the world?
You can stream Monster right now on Netflix.