Get ready for a chilling trip back in time as Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's hit Monster anthology officially begins filming its fourth season, focusing on the infamous Lizzie Borden case.
TL;DR- Monster Season 4, titled "The Lizzie Borden Story," is officially in production in Los Angeles.
- Ella Beatty leads as Lizzie Borden, with Charlie Hunnam returning to play her father, Andrew Borden.
- The season will delve into the controversial 1892 axe murders and Lizzie's subsequent acquittal, with a Fall 2026 premiere anticipated.
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Stepping Back in Time: A New "Monster" is Born
Netflix's gripping Monster anthology series is diving headfirst into another notorious true-crime saga, and this time, it's taking us way back to 1892. Just days after the third season, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, dropped and quickly climbed to the top of Netflix charts globally, the streamer confirmed that production for the fourth season is already underway in Los Angeles. This installment promises to be a captivating look at America's first female "monster," focusing on the enigmatic figure of Lizzie Borden.
The Lizzie Borden case remains one of history's most enduring mysteries, captivating the public imagination for over a century. If you’ve ever heard the chilling jump-rope rhyme, "Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her mother forty whacks; when she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one," you know a little about the legend. While the rhyme is a bit exaggerated – historical reports say her stepmother, Abby, was hit 18 times and her father, Andrew, 11 times – it perfectly captures the gruesome fascination with the murders and the woman accused.
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The Infamous Axe-ident: Lizzie Borden's Haunting Tale
The story unfolds in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1892, when Andrew Borden, a successful businessman, and his wife, Abby, were brutally murdered in their home. Lizzie, Andrew's daughter from his first marriage, was immediately named the prime suspect. Accounts from the time describe a tense relationship between Lizzie and her stepmother, and Lizzie was reportedly found outside by the barn before discovering her father's body. Adding to the suspicion, she allegedly burned a dress in the days following the murders, which prosecutors argued was an attempt to hide evidence.
Despite being formally charged in December 1892, Lizzie's trial the following summer became a media circus. The evidence against her was largely circumstantial, and much of it was deemed inadmissible, ultimately leading to her acquittal on June 20, 1893. The "not guilty" verdict was met with cheers, but Lizzie was ostracized by her community for the rest of her life. Even her sister, Emma, who initially stood by her, eventually became estranged due to Lizzie's lifestyle choices years later. Emma maintained Lizzie's innocence, pointing out that the murder weapon was never found.
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Meet the Cast: Familiar Faces and Fresh Blood Join the Mystery
The casting for "The Lizzie Borden Story" is stacked with talent, featuring some returning faces from previous Monster seasons and exciting new additions. Taking on the titular role of Lizzie Borden is Ella Beatty, the rising star and daughter of Hollywood legends Annette Bening and Warren Beatty. Ella made her screen debut in Ryan Murphy's Feud: Capote vs. The Swans and has been making waves on Broadway, so she's no stranger to complex characters.
Joining her in pivotal roles are:
- Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden
- Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden (Lizzie's father) – Hunnam returns to the Monster franchise after leading Season 3 as Ed Gein.
- Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden (Lizzie's stepmother) – Hall will portray the stepmother tragically murdered in the case.
- Billie Lourd as Emma Borden (Lizzie's older sister) – Another Ryan Murphy veteran, Lourd plays Lizzie's sister, who was out of town during the murders.
- Vicky Krieps as Bridget Sullivan (The Borden's live-in maid) – Krieps also appeared in Season 3 as Nazi war criminal Ilse Koch, making her another returning cast member.
- Jessica Barden as Nance O'Neill (Lizzie's actress friend) – Barden steps into the role of Lizzie's close friend, whose relationship with Borden sparked much speculation at the time.
Max Winkler, who directed an episode of Monster: The Ed Gein Story, is set to direct the first episode of this new season, promising a consistent directorial vision for the anthology.
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Behind the Scenes: What We Know About Filming and Production
Filming for Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story officially kicked off in Los Angeles around October 9, 2025. Early behind-the-scenes glimpses have already emerged, showing the cast in period attire, hinting at the visual style of the series. Charlie Hunnam has been spotted in a brown robe with curly hair and a full beard, taking on the role of Andrew Borden, while Ella Beatty has been seen in a pink dress, sometimes adorned with a flower wreath, embodying Lizzie.
Reports suggest that production will continue through the holidays and into early 2026, with a preliminary wrap date eyed for March 2026. This extensive filming schedule indicates the depth and detail the creators are pouring into this historical narrative.
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When Can You Watch It? Release Date & What to Expect
As of now, Netflix hasn't given us an official release date for Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story. However, based on the production timelines of previous seasons, a Fall 2026 premiere is a strong possibility. So, mark your calendars, but don't hold your breath just yet!
The Monster series is known for stirring up conversations, and "The Lizzie Borden Story" is unlikely to be an exception. While this season delves further back in history, potentially mitigating some of the controversies seen with more recent cases, the show’s approach to depicting "monstrous figures" and their crimes has often been a point of debate among critics.
"I never felt like we were sensationalizing it. I never felt on set that we did anything gratuitous or for shock impact. It was all in order to try to tell this story as honestly as we could. … What I would hope and feel really confident in is that it was a very sincere exploration of the human condition and why this boy did what he did."
— Charlie Hunnam, on his approach to Season 3's The Ed Gein Story
Charlie Hunnam's previous comments about the series' sincerity suggest that "The Lizzie Borden Story" will aim for an honest, albeit dark, exploration of the events, even amidst the show's reputation for being "unnecessarily grotesque and sensational" in the eyes of some critics.
The Legacy of Monster: A Look Back at the Anthology's Impact
The Monster anthology has become a true phenomenon for Netflix since its debut in 2022 with Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, starring Evan Peters. That season achieved massive viewership, becoming one of Netflix’s most popular English-language TV titles of all time and garnering numerous awards and nominations. Season 2, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, continued the series' critical success, with its cast also receiving Emmy nominations.
Most recently, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, starring Charlie Hunnam, quickly broke into Netflix’s Top 10, amassing 12.2 million views globally in its first three days. The series' ability to pull in viewers, despite – or perhaps because of – its controversial nature, highlights its unique place in the true-crime genre. With "The Lizzie Borden Story," Monster is set to continue its reign, offering viewers a deep dive into another infamous chapter of criminal history.
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