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Netflix fans only just realising who plays Ed Gein’s mother in controversial Monster series

Home> Entertainment> Netflix

Published 16:38 7 Oct 2025 GMT+1

Netflix fans only just realising who plays Ed Gein’s mother in controversial Monster series

One fan said she disappeared so completely into the role of Augusta Gein they 'had no idea it was even her'

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

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Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: Ed Gein, Netflix, Social Media, TV And Film, True Crime, Celebrity

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

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Ryan Murphy's done it once again as the latest instalment of his Monster series seems to be pretty much all anyone can talk about at the moment.

This series, which only dropped on Netflix last Friday (3 October), centres all around the story of Ed Gein - AKA the Butcher of Plainfield - who was convicted of murdering two women in 1950s Wisconsin.

Gein, who later became the inspiration for a number of Hollywood horror cult classics, was also found to be a grave-robber, often making household items out of freshly-deceased human remains.

He's played by Sons of Anarchy actor Charlie Hunnam alongside a fellow star-studded cast including Addison Rae, Tom Hollander, Suzanna Son, Olivia Williams and Joey Pollari.

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However, it's the actress who plays Gein's domineering, extremely religious and hauntingly cruel mother, Augusta, who has really got true crime fans talking.

Check out the official trailer here:

None other than Ladybird star, Laurie Metcalf, plays Augusta in the TV series.

The 70-year-old award-winning actress, also famous for her roles as Jackie Harris in the Roseanne sitcom series and Mrs Loomis in Scream 2, was the only choice to play Augusta, with show co-creator Ian Brennan telling Tudum: "I grew up in Chicago doing theatre, so that’s as close to a theatre goddess as actually exists in real life.

"It makes your job so much easier when you get somebody like her."

Ladybird star Laurie Metcalf plays the role of Ed Gein's domineering mother, Augusta, in the new Monster series (Netflix)
Ladybird star Laurie Metcalf plays the role of Ed Gein's domineering mother, Augusta, in the new Monster series (Netflix)

Posting on the Netflix Bangers page on Facebook, one viewer praised: "Laurie Metcalf was absolutely amazing in her portrayal of Augusta Gein!

"She was almost unrecognisable! I’ve seen people say they had no idea it was even her until they’d heard someone else talking about it!

"What are your thoughts on how she did!? And what are your thoughts on the impact Augusta had on Ed and what he ended up becoming!"

A second chimed in: "Yes agree. The thing is Laurie is usually such a happy smiling person, whereas that character didn't smile at all, so it's hard to see unless you actually know it's her."

Netflix viewers praised Metcalf for her performance in the true-crime series (Kristina Bumphrey / Contributor / Getty Images)
Netflix viewers praised Metcalf for her performance in the true-crime series (Kristina Bumphrey / Contributor / Getty Images)

"She was great playing the part of a horrible mother. Every time I heard her say 'Only A Mother Can Love You' made my blood run cold, so cruel & just evil," penned a third.

Another gushed: "Laurie was amazing as a wicked, vile & depraved mother, she is a brilliant actor, always has been."

And a final Facebook user echoed: "Fabulous acting as his mother. A cruel one at that, but fantastically played!"

Monster: The Ed Gein Story is currently available to stream on Netflix.

  • People distracted after realising why Ed Gein’s voice sounds so familiar in disturbing Monster series
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