Netflix’s Monster anthology series continues to explore some of the most disturbing true-crime stories in American history. Following the success of Dahmer, The Menendez Brothers Story, and The Ed Gein Story, the upcoming Monster Season 4: The Lizzie Borden Murders will take viewers back to 1892 Massachusetts, where the shocking case of Lizzie Borden captivated the nation.
Produced by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, this fourth installment promises to dive deep into the psychological, social, and cultural impact of Borden’s story while introducing new layers of horror and historical intrigue.
Introduction to Monster Season 4
In Monster Season 4, viewers will revisit the chilling events surrounding Lizzie Borden, a woman accused — and later acquitted — of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe. The case became one of the first true media sensations in America, spawning nursery rhymes, plays, and generations of speculation.
This season aims to portray both the brutality of the crimes and the era’s social and gender dynamics, exploring how privilege, hysteria, and early journalism shaped Borden’s public image.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Monster Season 4: The Lizzie Borden Murders |
| Showrunners | Ryan Murphy & Ian Brennan |
| Director (Episode 1) | Max Winkler |
| Production Start | September 2025 |
| Production End (Tentative) | March 2026 |
| Filming Locations | Los Angeles, rumored scenes in Chicago |
| Expected Netflix Release | Fall 2026 |
| Episodes | TBD |
| Genre | Crime, Psychological Thriller, Period Drama |
Cast and Characters
Netflix has confirmed an all-star ensemble for Monster Season 4, including returning and new faces.
- Ella Beatty (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans) as Lizzie Borden, the central figure accused of patricide.
- Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy) as Andrew Borden, Lizzie’s stern father.
- Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread) as Bridget Sullivan, the Bordens’ live-in maid.
- Rebecca Hall (The Prestige) as Abby Borden, Lizzie’s stepmother.
- Billie Lourd (American Horror Story) as Emma Borden, Lizzie’s older sister.
- Jessica Barden (The End of the F**ing World*) as Nance O’Neill, Lizzie’s close friend.
Adding intrigue, Sarah Paulson is reportedly in final talks to portray Aileen Wuornos, the notorious Florida serial killer executed in 2002 — suggesting the series will use multiple timelines to connect female killers across history.
Ryan Murphy offered a statement about the direction of the new season:
“Lizzie Borden’s story is more than just a murder case. It’s about a woman’s defiance, a society’s fear of change, and the beginning of America’s obsession with crime as entertainment. This season will explore that collision between history and hysteria.”
Filming and Production Update
Production began in Los Angeles in September 2025 and is expected to conclude by March 10, 2026. Crew sightings, period sets, and vintage costume designs have been spotted, recreating the streets of Fall River, Massachusetts.
There are rumors of additional filming in Chicago, though this has yet to be officially confirmed. Once production wraps, post-production will take several months, setting up for a Fall 2026 Netflix premiere.
The Timeline of Lizzie Borden’s Story
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1892 | The murders of Andrew and Abby Borden take place in Fall River, Massachusetts. |
| 1893 | Lizzie Borden is tried and acquitted of both murders. |
| 1894–1905 | Borden lives a reclusive life amid public fascination and ostracism. |
| 2026 (Show Setting) | The show dramatizes the events through Borden’s trial, media coverage, and legacy. |
How Aileen Wuornos Fits In?
Sarah Paulson’s reported casting as Aileen Wuornos — a killer who operated a century after Borden — implies Monster Season 4 will once again explore the ripple effects of one case influencing another.
This thematic link mirrors how Monster: The Ed Gein Story connected real-life horror with Hollywood’s obsession with killers. Murphy’s approach often blends timelines to highlight how fame, trauma, and infamy transcend generations.
Series co-creator Ian Brennan also emphasized the thematic shift:
“Each Monster season examines how society creates monsters as much as it punishes them. Lizzie’s case was one of the earliest examples of gendered crime coverage — where her image became a product of her time.”
Thematic Focus: Crime, Gender, and Media
Monster Season 4 isn’t just a retelling of murder; it’s a commentary on societal double standards. Lizzie’s trial became one of America’s first media circuses, where public fascination with a “respectable woman turned killer” transformed the event into a cultural spectacle.
The show will reportedly analyze how gender influenced public sympathy, how journalism sensationalized tragedy, and how public opinion often became more powerful than the law itself.
Film critic Dana Reeves recently commented:
“By combining Lizzie Borden’s 19th-century trial with Aileen Wuornos’ late 20th-century crimes, the show exposes how women accused of violence are treated as both victims and villains — a pattern that continues today.”
Netflix Release Window
Given the current filming schedule, Netflix is expected to release Monster Season 4 sometime between October and December 2026.
Ryan Murphy’s previous Netflix projects, such as Dahmer and The Watcher, also followed similar release strategies — debuting in the fall to align with Halloween viewership trends.
Why It Matters?
The Monster anthology remains one of Netflix’s most-watched and controversial true-crime series. With Dahmer topping viewership charts and Ed Gein continuing that momentum, the platform aims to blend history, horror, and cultural reflection in this next installment.
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Murders offers a chance to re-examine America’s fascination with crime and gender — while introducing a fresh narrative style that connects past and present through storytelling innovation.
FAQs
Ella Beatty will play Lizzie Borden in her breakout leading role.
Filming wraps in March 2026, so the show will likely premiere in Fall 2026.
Yes, she is reportedly cast as Aileen Wuornos, adding a multi-era narrative thread.
Mainly in Los Angeles, with possible additional scenes in Chicago.
Yes — Lizzie Borden was a real figure tried for her father and stepmother’s murders in 1893.
Yes, several actors from The Ed Gein Story will appear in different roles.
