Netflix Expands Ryan Murphy’s ‘Monster’ Franchise With Two More Installments After ‘Dahmer’ Success, Renews ‘The Watcher’ For Season 2

Ryan Murphy has another anthology after Netflix ordered two more installments of his Freak franchise following the success of Dahmer.

The streamer has also ordered a second season of his drama series The Observer.

None of these decisions come as a surprise given the success of both shows, especially the outsized ratings of Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Storywhich is on track to reach 1 billion hours viewed in the coming weeks.

Both Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and The Observer comes from american horror story co-creator Murphy and Joy co-creator Ian Brennan.

Netflix didn’t reveal what the two additional episodes of the Monster anthology franchise will cover, but said they “will tell the stories of other monstrous characters who have impacted society.”

Murphy is behind an incredible number of franchises, including American Horror Story, American Horror Stories, American Crime Story, American Love Story, Feud and 9-1-1.

The streamer has been keen to expand the franchise ever since it became clear that Dahmer would be a massive hit – becoming Netflix’s second biggest English-language series after Stranger Things.

The success of both shows silenced those who thought Murphy had failed to deliver hits for the streamer after signing a $300 million deal in 2018. Murphy’s contract is up for the coming months and there will be scrutiny over whether he extends his pact with Netflix, moves on to a rival, or teams up with close friend Dana Walden, who is now president of Disney General Entertainment Content.

But he recently told the New York Times, “I may not do anything,” he said. “I could retire and start a line of beeswax products. I wouldn’t be surprised if I moved to the East Coast and completely changed my life. I just bought a farm and have always wanted to be a farmer. I grew up in Indiana. My backyard was a cornfield.

Bela Bajaria, Head of Global TV, Netflix, said: “The audience cannot take their eyes off Freak and The Observer. The creative team of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan on Monster and Eric Newman on The Watcher are masterful storytellers who have captivated audiences around the world. The back-to-back strength of these two series is down to Ryan’s distinct original voice that has created cultural sensations and we’re excited to continue telling stories in the Freak and Observer universe”.

Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story stars Evan Peters as the notorious serial killer. The ten-part series is largely told from the perspective of Dahmer’s victims and delves deep into the police incompetence and apathy that allowed the Wisconsin native to embark on a years-long killing spree. The series dramatizes at least 10 instances where Dahmer was nearly apprehended but ultimately released.

Niecy Nash also stars in the series, alongside Richard Jenkins, Molly Ringwald and Michael Learned.

The series comes from Murphy and Ian Brennan, who created and produced it alongside Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, Evan Peters, Janet Mock and Carl Franklin.

The Observer, which launched on October 13, has now garnered 125 million hours of viewing in its first five days on the service. The series starring Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale entered the top 10 in 90 countries.

The series follows the Brannock family as they move into what is supposed to be their suburban dream home but quickly becomes a living hell. Disturbing letters from someone who calls himself “The Watcher” are just the beginning as the neighborhood’s sinister secrets spill out.

Inspired by the true story of New Jersey’s infamous “Watcher” house, the series also stars Mia Farrow, Terry Kinney, Jennifer Coolidge, Richard Kind, Margo Martindale, Joe Mantello, Noma Dumezweni, Christopher McDonald, Michael Nouri , Isabel Gravitt, Henry Hunter Hall and Luke David Blumm.

Created by Murphy and Ian Brennan, the duo also produces alongside Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, Bryan Unkeless, Eric Newman, Paris Barclay, Watts, Ariel Schulman, Henry Joost and Scoop Wasserstein.