While Netflix has enjoyed an impressive 2024 and is set to release many more hits, few will rival the viewership and buzz generated by “Monsters” since its premiere on September 21. What began as an adaptation of a well-known crime story evolved into a controversial topic, even involving the real-life murderers.
Two years ago, Ryan Murphy sensed that his 2022 adaptation of the Jeffrey Dahmer story featuring Evan Peters still had potential to be explored. So, he renewed the series for a second season to depict the crimes of the Menendez brothers, which have become a hot discussion.
Despite facing ongoing controversies—including criticism from Eric Menendez and his family—Murphy continues to promote the title without directly addressing these concerns. Recently, he has shared insights into how he chose Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez to portray the criminals.
Ryan Murphy talks about casting Koch and Chavez in ‘Monsters’
Murphy often finds himself in the spotlight, receiving both praise for his series and criticism for their controversial themes. However, one aspect that everyone acknowledges—whether they’ve worked with him or simply admire his creations—is his talent for casting newcomers who quickly rise to A-list status.
Emma Roberts, Evan Peters, and Lea Michele are just a few celebrities who gained recognition through titles like “American Horror Story” and “Glee”. Now, all eyes are on Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez, who portray the Menendez brothers in “Monsters” and are poised for bright futures.
Murphy explained that finding the right actors was quite a challenge. He shared with Tudum, “When we were casting, it was like the search for Scarlett O’Hara. I think we saw like 500 guys. We did an international search — people in Australia and London and Spain. It was a really, really long search.”
After reviewing Koch and Chavez’s audition tapes, Murphy and co-creator Brennan knew they were the perfect fit, though they didn’t inform the performers right away. Instead, they brought the young stars together to Murphy’s office for a reading of some scenes, and the results were impressive.
During a particularly intense reading of some sequences, Koch and Chavez displayed an undeniable chemistry, resembling real brothers. Chavez even broke some furniture while fully immersing himself in his character. This only reaffirmed Murphy’s instinct for talent, and Netflix immediately backed his decision.
