-Betts faced tragedy. Her 17-year-old brother, Michael Ensley, was shot and killed at his high school in California.Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story“My brother was murdered on his high school campus. And you never forget,” Nash-Betts says through tears. “You’re reminded if you pass a cemetery, by a favorite song, a smell, memory, photo.
Nash-Betts draws a comparison to the police’s handling of Dahmer’s heinous crimes: “If there were Black and brown people doing all of these mass shootings today, gun reform would happen in a heartbeat. Systematic racism and differential treatment are still alive and well.” Nash-Betts says she signed onto the series without knowing what the project was about. When Murphy called her, she said yes. Once she read the script, she asked why he chose her for the role. “He said, ‘Because I knew you were the one who could embody this character and make people feel what this woman felt.’”
Best-known for her comedic roles on “Reno 911,” “Soul Man” and “Getting On,” Nash-Betts was able to flex her dramatic muscles in “Monster.” She has been applauded by critics and fans for her heartfelt performance, tapping into the strength and grief of Cleveland with a raw honesty that steals scenes — even when she shares the screen with Evan Peters, whose impressively eerie portrayal of Dahmer has made him one of the buzziest actors of award season.