Netflix’s powerhouse crime anthology series “Monster” has officially been renewed for Season 4, and this time, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan are diving deep into one of America’s most notorious unsolved mysteries: the 1892 Lizzie Borden murders. This announcement comes while Season 3 is still in post-production, proving the series’ incredible staying power.
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Monster Season 4 Lizzie Borden Case: A Century-Old Mystery
The upcoming season will transport viewers back to Fall River, Massachusetts, in the late 1800s to explore one of the most captivating true crime cases in American history. On August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were found brutally hacked to death with a hatchet—Abby upstairs in a guest room and Andrew on the living room sofa.
Lizzie Andrew Borden (July 19, 1860 – June 1, 1927) was an American woman who was tried and acquitted of the August 4, 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts. Despite her acquittal, the case remains one of the most debated mysteries in criminal history.
Monster Season 4: Key Production Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Subject | Lizzie Borden murders of 1892 |
| Setting | Fall River, Massachusetts, late 1800s |
| Production Start | September 10, 2025 |
| Filming Location | Los Angeles |
| Casting Directors | Josh Einsohn and Tiffany Little Canfield |
| Creators | Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan |
| Status | Pre-production |
The Monster Anthology’s Phenomenal Success
The Monster series has become Netflix’s most successful Ryan Murphy project, with the first season about Jeffrey Dahmer spending seven weeks in the Netflix top 10. The former spent 7 weeks in the Netflix top 10, in addition to still ranking as Netflix’s fourth most-watched English-language series launch of all time.
The anthology format has proven incredibly effective, with each season focusing on different notorious criminals:
- Season 1: Jeffrey Dahmer (2022)
- Season 2: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (2024)
- Season 3: Ed Gein (Expected 2026)
- Season 4: Lizzie Borden (In development)
What Makes Lizzie Borden’s Story Compelling
The Lizzie Borden case fascinates audiences because it challenges societal expectations of the era. Suspicion quickly fell on Andrew’s 32-year-old daughter, Lizzie Borden, who lived in the house and had a tense relationship with her stepmother. Lizzie was arrested and tried for the murders in 1893 but was ultimately acquitted due to a lack of physical evidence and the belief at the time that a woman couldn’t commit such a violent crime.
The case embodies several compelling elements:
- Victorian-era gender dynamics and societal expectations
- Family tensions and inheritance disputes
- Legal proceedings that captivated the nation
- Media sensation that parallels modern true crime fascination
Previous Adaptations and Cultural Impact
This won’t be the first time the brutal murders have been brought to the screen. There were three adaptations throughout the 2010s, including a Lifetime TV movie with Christina Ricci called Lizzie Borden Took an Ax, alongside an 8-episode mini-series continuation a year later. Most recently, Chloë Sevigny played the role in the 2018 movie Lizzie.
The enduring fascination with Lizzie Borden demonstrates how historical true crime continues to captivate modern audiences, making it perfect material for the Monster anthology.
The Fall River Setting: A Character Itself
The Lizzie Borden House is notorious for being the home of Lizzie Borden and her family, and it is the location of the 1892 unsolved double murder of Lizzie’s father and stepmother Andrew and Abby Borden. It is located on 230 Second Street in the city of Fall River, Massachusetts.
Today, the house operates as a bed and breakfast and museum, allowing visitors to experience the location where these infamous events unfolded. This connection between historical events and modern tourism adds another layer to the story’s cultural significance.
Ryan Murphy’s Netflix Legacy
The anthology series has been far and away the most successful Ryan Murphy developed at Netflix during his tenure, and a lucrative overall deal aside from The Watcher, which did get a season 2 renewal order. While Murphy has since moved his overall deal back to Disney, the Monster series remains a Netflix powerhouse.
The success of Monster proves that audiences crave well-crafted true crime content that goes beyond sensationalism to explore the psychological and social aspects of infamous cases.
Gaming and Interactive Crime Content
The popularity of true crime content has influenced other entertainment mediums, including gaming experiences where players can solve mysteries and explore historical cases. This cross-media appeal demonstrates how stories like Lizzie Borden’s continue resonating across different platforms.
Streaming and Entertainment Evolution
For those interested in how streaming platforms are reshaping entertainment, our entertainment technology section explores how series like Monster represent the future of anthology storytelling and true crime content.
Production Timeline and Expectations
Production is set to commence as early as September 10th in Los Angeles, according to production listings. Casting is underway on the series, we’re told, with casting directors Josh Einsohn and Tiffany Little Canfield.
The late 1800s setting will require extensive period production design, from costumes to sets, creating an authentic Victorian-era atmosphere that transports viewers to 1892 Fall River.
The Future of True Crime Television
Monster Season 4’s focus on the Lizzie Borden case represents a shift toward exploring historical crimes that have shaped American legal and social history. This approach allows the series to examine not just the crimes themselves, but the societal context that made them possible.
As true crime content continues dominating streaming platforms, the Monster anthology’s success formula—combining meticulous research, compelling performances, and social commentary—sets the standard for future productions.
Conclusion
Netflix’s Monster Season 4 promises to deliver another gripping exploration of one of America’s most enduring mysteries. The Lizzie Borden case offers rich material for Ryan Murphy’s signature style, combining historical accuracy with psychological depth to create compelling television.
With production beginning in September 2025, fans of the Monster anthology can anticipate another season that challenges assumptions, explores complex human motivations, and brings historical events to vivid life. The series continues proving that true crime content, when handled with skill and sensitivity, can both entertain and educate audiences about the darker chapters of American history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will Monster Season 4 featuring Lizzie Borden be released on Netflix?
A: While production is scheduled to begin in September 2025 in Los Angeles, Netflix hasn’t announced an official release date for Monster Season 4. Given the typical production timeline for the series and the period setting requiring extensive costume and set design, the season will likely premiere in late 2026 or early 2027. This timing would follow the pattern established by previous seasons and allow adequate time for the detailed period production that the 1890s setting demands.
Q: How historically accurate will the Lizzie Borden portrayal be compared to previous adaptations?
A: Ryan Murphy’s Monster series has established a reputation for balancing historical accuracy with dramatic storytelling, as seen in previous seasons about Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers. The Lizzie Borden case offers unique challenges since she was acquitted and the murders remain officially unsolved. Unlike previous adaptations that focused primarily on the murders themselves, Monster Season 4 will likely explore the broader social context of 1890s Fall River, Victorian-era gender expectations, and the media sensation surrounding the trial. The series typically incorporates extensive research while taking creative liberties to create compelling television, so viewers can expect a more nuanced exploration of the case than previous adaptations have provided.
