Ryan Murphy’s chilling anthology series Monster returns with its most notorious Victorian-era case yet. After exploring Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez brothers, and Ed Gein, Season 4 tackles Lizzie Borden—the Massachusetts woman accused of brutally axe-murdering her father and stepmother in 1892 before being acquitted in what became known as “the trial of the century.” With production underway in Los Angeles and a surprise cast addition linking past and future serial killers, here’s everything we know about Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story.
Table of Contents
Monster Season 4: What We Know So Far
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Focus | Lizzie Borden’s 1892 axe murders (acquitted in 1893 trial) |
| Production Status | Filming since September 2025; wraps March 2026 |
| Expected Release | Fall 2026 on Netflix |
| Showrunners | Ryan Murphy & Ian Brennan (returning) |
| Opening Director | Max Winkler (returning from previous seasons) |
| Filming Locations | Los Angeles (confirmed); Chicago (rumored) |
The Star-Studded Cast
Ella Beatty (daughter of Annette Bening and Warren Beatty) takes on the controversial title role. Charlie Hunnam, fresh off playing Ed Gein in Season 3, returns to the franchise as Lizzie’s father Andrew Borden—making him the first actor to play leads in consecutive Monster seasons.
Confirmed Cast:
- Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden
- Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden (father/victim)
- Rebecca Hall (The Night House) as Abby Borden (stepmother/victim)
- Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread) as Bridget Sullivan (live-in maid)
- Billie Lourd (American Horror Story) as Emma (Lizzie’s older sister)
- Jessica Barden (The End of the F**ing World*) as Nance O’Neill (Lizzie’s close friend)
The Shocking Sarah Paulson Twist
Here’s where it gets wild: according to Variety, Sarah Paulson is in final talks to play Aileen Wuornos—the Florida serial killer whose crimes occurred nearly a century after Lizzie Borden’s 1892 murders. Wuornos, who killed seven clients while working in street prostitution between 1989-1990, was executed in 2002.
This casting suggests Season 4 will explore how Borden’s acquittal and cultural legacy influenced later female killers—similar to how Season 3 examined Ed Gein’s impact on horror cinema (inspiring The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Psycho). The narrative structure would create fascinating thematic connections between Victorian-era and modern American violence.
The Lizzie Borden Mystery
The historical case remains one of America’s most debated unsolved mysteries. On August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were found brutally murdered with an axe in their Fall River, Massachusetts home. Lizzie, then 32, was accused, tried, and controversially acquitted despite circumstantial evidence and suspicious behavior.
According to the official logline from Netflix, the season will examine “the brutal nature of the murders that attracted nationwide attention and contributed to Borden’s place in popular culture.” The case spawned countless adaptations, true crime investigations, and even the infamous children’s rhyme about “forty whacks.”
Murphy and Brennan’s approach typically challenges viewers’ perceptions of notorious criminals. Previous seasons humanized killers while never excusing their actions, a delicate balance that’s earned both critical acclaim and controversy. Lizzie’s acquittal adds complexity—was she wrongfully accused, or did she literally get away with murder?
Production Insights
First-look behind-the-scenes footage emerged in mid-October showing the cast in period costumes on Los Angeles sets meticulously recreating 1890s Massachusetts. The production’s attention to Victorian-era detail suggests the same true crime authenticity that made previous Monster seasons compulsively watchable.
With filming wrapping March 10, 2026, post-production would position a Fall 2026 release—likely timed for awards consideration and spooky season viewing. Netflix hasn’t officially confirmed dates, but this timeline aligns with the franchise’s release patterns.
The series continues Murphy’s creative partnership with his go-to collaborators. Sarah Paulson’s potential involvement reunites her with Murphy after American Horror Story and Ratched, while the returning cast from Season 3 creates anthology continuity rarely seen in true crime series.
Whether Season 4 will spark the same cultural conversation as the Dahmer and Menendez seasons remains uncertain. Lizzie Borden’s historical distance may reduce controversy while increasing creative freedom—or it might face criticism for glamorizing Victorian violence. Either way, Murphy’s track record suggests Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story will be anything but forgettable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Lizzie Borden actually guilty of the murders?
Legally, no—Lizzie Borden was acquitted by jury in 1893 after a highly publicized trial. However, she remains the primary suspect, and the case is technically unsolved. Circumstantial evidence included her being home during the murders, burning a dress shortly after, and inconsistent testimony. Public opinion remains divided over 130 years later. The lack of definitive proof gives Ryan Murphy creative latitude to explore multiple theories about what really happened that August morning in 1892.
Why is Sarah Paulson playing Aileen Wuornos in a Lizzie Borden season?
This unexpected casting suggests Season 4 will employ a dual-timeline structure connecting Borden’s 1890s case to Wuornos’ 1989-1990 murders. The show likely explores how Lizzie’s acquittal and cultural legacy influenced perceptions of female killers nearly a century later. Season 3 used similar techniques, showing how Ed Gein inspired horror films. This approach allows Monster to examine both historical crime and its lasting cultural impact on American violence and true crime obsession.
