Evan Peters admits playing serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was one of ‘hardest’ things he’s ever done

Evan Peters has admitted that playing serial killer Jefferey Dahmer in his new Netflix series was “one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life.”

Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story tells the story of the shocking murders of 17 young men and boys at the hands of the Milwaukee killer between 1978 and 1991.

And in a interview with NetflixThe 35-year-old actor said he was “afraid” to take on the role because of Dahmer’s horrific past, adding that he had to go into “dark places” during filming to get into the killer’s mindset.

Netflix tells Dahmer’s story from the perspective of his victims – who were predominantly black – and examines the grave mistakes the Wisconsin police made in handling the investigation into the infamous mass murderer, who made national headlines for acts of cannibalism and crime. necrophilia.

In preparation for his portrayal of the infamous killer, Evan watched Stone Phillips’ interview with the real killer, while reading some biographies and the 1992 police report of Dahmer’s confession.

In addition, the star listened to audio of the killer speaking to a psychologist or detective who interviewed him, with Evan saying he was nervous about taking on the part, noting how important it was to have an “authentic” report. to respect the victims’ loved ones.

He explained, “It was so overwhelming that it all really happened that it was important to be respectful of the victims, the victims’ families, to try to tell the story as authentically as possible.”

Talking about how arduous the process was, he went on to say, “Honestly, I was really scared of all the stuff he was doing and diving into it, and trying to commit to that would definitely be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had. to do in my life because I wanted it to be very authentic.

“But to do that, I had to go to really dark places and stay there for long periods of time.”

Evan went on to credit the crew who were with him on set for keeping him steady while he delved into the dark subject matter for the series.

He said: ‘I have to say that the crew played an important role in keeping me on the guardrail, I can’t thank them enough and I couldn’t have played this role with them…

“It was a challenge to try this person, who was seemingly so normal, but underneath everything, had this whole world that he kept secret from everyone.”

The series debuted on September 21 to an audience of 196.2 million, giving the streaming service its best ratings since the fourth season of Stranger Things, amid Netflix’s move in viewing ratings since June 2021. Deadline reported.

It was not without backlash, however, as viewers lashed out at Netflix for adding an LGBTQ tag to the new Jeffrey Dahmer series.

Many shouted at the streaming platform – which has now removed the tag – saying they were “stunned” and “horrible” at the choice.

The series follows the notorious Milwaukee serial killer who murdered 17 people between 1978 and 1991, many of whom were young, gay African Americans.

Many responded to the tag, with one writing: “Netflix has added the Jeffrey Dahmer series to the LGBTQ+ tag. I’m stunned.’

Another wrote: They put the new Jeffrey Dahmer movie under the LGBTQ tag and I’m disgusted. IT’S NOT A LHBTQ STORY LIKE WTF.’

While someone else said “This is not the representation we’re looking for” after the issue was raised on TikTok.

The true crime series has also been at the center of criticism over the continued commercial success of the true crime genre and the traumatic impact it can have on survivors.

The sister of Dahmer victim Errol Lindsey, Rita Isbell, said in an interview with Insider Sunday that Netflix has never contacted her about the series, calling it harsh and careless.

“I feel like Netflix should have asked if we mind or what we thought about making it,” she said. “They haven’t asked me anything. They just did it. But I’m not hungry for money, and that’s what this show is about, Netflix trying to get paid.”

In addition to Evan, the show also features actors Niecy Nash, Penelope Ann Miller, Shaun J. Brown, Colin Ford and Richard Jenkins, with directors Paris Barclay, Carl Franklin and Janet Mock.

Miller and Jenkins will play the roles of Dahmer’s parents, while Nash will play Dahmer’s neighbor Glenda Cleveland, who unsuccessfully tried to report his bizarre behavior to authorities.

Peters has worked with creator Ryan Murphy on a number of projects in the past, including nine of the ten seasons of American Horror Story, as well as the series Pose.

Peters told in April Variety about the painstaking task he took to research Dahmer in depth for the part.

“I’ve read so much, I’ve seen so much, I’ve seen so much, and at some point you have to say, ‘Okay, that’s enough,'” he said. “There are beautifully written scripts. You can have all the backstory you want, but in the end we don’t make a documentary.

‘It’s more about keeping the idea and the continuous line of why you’re telling the story and always have that as a guideline.’

Dahmer was convicted in 1992 of 16 murders of which he was charged and sentenced to 16 life sentences.

He was beaten to death with a metal bar in November 1994 by Christopher Scarver, another inmate at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin.

Dahmer’s horrific story is chronicled in the past in the 2002 film Dahmer, in which Jeremy Renner played the title role; as well as 2017’s My Friend Dahmer, in which Ross Lynch played a teenage version of the budding serial killer.