Netflix’s popular true crime anthology is back with a new story. Monster: The Ed Gein Story shifts the focus to one of America’s most infamous killers, and it features a standout performance from Addison Rae. The social media star and actor takes on the role of Evelyn Hartley, a babysitter who meets a tragic end at the hands of Charlie Hunnam’s Ed Gein. Rae shares details about the intense and emotional experience of filming her character’s harrowing scenes.
Who Is Evelyn Hartley in the Story?
In Monster: The Ed Gein Story, Addison Rae plays Evelyn Hartley, a teenage babysitter. In the series, Evelyn’s character is introduced when Ed Gein’s girlfriend, Adeline Watkins, tries to help him become more comfortable around children. She gets him a babysitting job with a local family. The show creates a fictional backstory for Evelyn, including that she is recovering from polio and uses a leg brace.
The storyline takes a dark turn when Ed Gein is fired from his babysitting position after frightening the children. It is revealed that Evelyn has recovered and is taking the job back. Out of jealousy and frustration, Gein kidnaps Evelyn. Her character’s fate is sealed by the end of the third episode, titled “The Babysitter,” and the fourth episode opens with the grim sight of Ed Gein wrapping her body.
Behind the Scenes of a Dark Role
Filming such a dark character was a new challenge for Addison Rae. She described the production as incredibly detailed and intentional, from the hair and makeup to the elaborate sets. Her first day on set, however, was surprisingly fun.
“My first day on set, I got to roller-skate, which was really fun,” Rae told Netflix. “I did get into a [roller-skating] phase after I shot that day. I loved it for about a month.”
This lighthearted beginning was a stark contrast to the intense scenes that followed. Rae’s character endures a terrifying ordeal, culminating in a climactic scene where Evelyn is killed and her body is prepared by Gein. The actor had to be covered in a substance and wrapped in gauze for a long time to achieve the chilling “mummy” effect.
Despite the heavy material, Rae found the environment on set to be supportive. She specifically praised her co-star, Charlie Hunnam, who plays Ed Gein, for his professionalism and kindness during these difficult scenes.
“Charlie is such a professional. Working with him was a dream,” Rae said. “During those intense scenes, where it was just me and him, he was so amazing at checking in, and keeping the flow really positive.”
She recalled a moment that broke the tension during one of their most grueling scenes: “His stomach growled while we were doing that scene, and I just remember we both laughed, and we were just like, ‘That needed to happen,’ because it’s nice to have a little bit of a break.”
The True Story Behind the Character
While the series depicts Evelyn Hartley as a victim of Ed Gein, the real-life history is different. The case of the real Evelyn Hartley remains an unsolved mystery. In 1953, the 14-year-old disappeared while babysitting in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Her glasses were broken, her shoes were found in different rooms, and there were signs of a struggle, including blood and an open basement window. Despite a massive search, she was never found.
After his arrest in 1957, Ed Gein was questioned about Evelyn’s disappearance. He was in the area visiting family on the night she vanished. However, Gein passed two lie detector tests, and no evidence linking him to the crime was ever found at his property. The police officially cleared him of any involvement in November 1957.
The series takes creative license by directly linking Gein to Evelyn’s death, using her character to illustrate the fear and speculation that surrounded the killer, even for crimes he may not have committed.
Addison Rae’s Experience on Set
For Rae, taking on this role meant stepping into a story with minimal real-life information. “There’s actually not much about her. They don’t really know exactly what happened in real life. So it was really interesting for me as an actor to lean into something that there was minimal information about,” she explained.
Her final shot in the series was one of the most physically demanding. “I actually think the last shot I did was on the table when I was wrapped up in this gauze, and had a very soaking wet substance on me. So it was a really interesting way to end the time on the set,” Rae shared. Despite the discomfort, she expressed sadness at leaving the production, noting the “energy of comfort and safety and security” that the cast and crew created.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story, which premiered on October 3, 2025, is now streaming on Netflix. The season stars Charlie Hunnam as the titular killer, with a supporting cast that includes Laurie Metcalf, Suzanna Son, and Tom Hollander.
Credits: Netflix Tudum, Radio Times
