Mushroom Murders: Melanie Lynskey named to play triple killer Erin Patterson
A Hollywood star has been cast as convicted triple murderer Erin Patterson in a new crime series.
A Hollywood star has been cast as convicted triple murderer Erin Patterson in a new crime series titled Mushroom Murders.
Known for her roles in Two and a Half Men, The Last of Us and Yellowjackets, Melanie Lynskey will portray the Australian woman whose deadly mushroom lunch shocked the world.
The New Zealand actress, 49, will take on the lead role in the new Paramount+ limited series, which will explore the 97 days between the fatal lunch in July 2023 and Patterson’s arrest.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.
Patterson was convicted of murdering three relatives after serving them beef Wellington containing poisonous death cap mushrooms at her home in Leongatha, Victoria.
Her former parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, died after eating the meal.
Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, survived after spending weeks in hospital.
Lynskey announced her involvement in the series at Paramount+’s 2027 programming launch in Melbourne on Wednesday.
“I’m very excited to be playing Erin Patterson in the new drama series Mushroom Murders,” she said.
“It offers a compelling and unique perspective on the events that made headlines around the world. Because behind all those headlines, there’s still so much to unearth.”
It won’t be the first time Lynskey has portrayed a real-life killer.
She made her film debut at just 17 in Peter Jackson’s 1994 film Heavenly Creatures, which was based on the notorious murder of a Christchurch woman by her teenage daughter and her friend.
The Emmy-nominated actress has since become a familiar face on television, appearing in Two and a Half Men, Yellowjackets and The Last of Us.
Lynskey will also serve as an executive producer on Mushroom Murders, which has been created by Anya Beyersdorf, Daina Reid and Deb Balderstone.
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle is making a surprise return to Australian television, with the Duchess of Sussex confirmed for a major role.
The former Suits actress will join fan favourite Poh Ling Yeow as a special guest when Junior MasterChef Australia returns to Channel 10 in 2027, six years after its last season.
Network 10 confirmed the news on Tuesday, revealing Meghan had agreed to return to the MasterChef kitchen after her guest judging appearance earlier in 2026 proved a ratings winner.
Her April appearance delivered the program’s biggest Sunday audience since 2023, excluding premieres and finales.
She says he her own children helped inspire her decision to sign on.
“I had an incredible time with the whole team at MasterChef this past April, so when they approached me to come back and work with this young group of talent, it was an easy yes,” Meghan said.
“I love cooking with my own kids, so seeing what these young stars create in the kitchen is going to be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see what they cook up!”
Before her Australian MasterChef debut, she appeared as a guest judge on the American series Chopped Junior in 2016.
She has also explored her passion for cooking through her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan.
