Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is the fourth installment in Netflix’s Monster anthology, bringing one of America’s most infamous murder cases to the screen.
Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, the new season stars Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden, alongside Vicky Krieps, Charlie Hunnam, Rebecca Hall, Billie Lourd, Jessica Barden and Sarah Paulson.
Set against the backdrop of the 1892 Borden murders, the limited series explores Lizzie’s troubled family life, her relationship with the household maid Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, and the events that eventually turned her into one of America’s most notorious historical figures.
Here’s everything to know about Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, including its release date, cast, plot, trailer, and connection to the wider Monster anthology.
When Does Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story Come Out?
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story premieres on Netflix on September 17, 2026.
The series is the fourth installment of Netflix’s Monster anthology, following seasons centered on Jeffrey Dahmer, Lyle and Erik Menendez, and Ed Gein.
Unlike a traditional continuing series, each installment of Monster focuses on a different real-life criminal case. Netflix describes the Lizzie Borden story as the anthology’s fourth installment.
Netflix Tudum — Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story
What Is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story About?
The series follows Lizzie Borden, the repressed daughter of a wealthy New England family, and Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, the family’s rebellious live-in maid.
According to Netflix’s official synopsis, the two women find themselves trapped inside a household shaped by humiliation and cruelty. They eventually escape into a world of fantasy, sex, power, and revenge.
The story then moves toward the gruesome murders of Lizzie’s father, Andrew Borden, and her stepmother, Abby Borden.
Rather than simply retelling the murders, the series explores the circumstances surrounding Lizzie’s life and the psychological forces that helped turn the case into one of America’s most enduring true-crime mysteries.
Who Was Lizzie Borden?
Lizzie Borden was a Massachusetts woman who became infamous after her father, Andrew Borden, and stepmother, Abby Borden, were murdered in their Fall River home in 1892.
Lizzie was accused of killing them and eventually stood trial for the murders.
She was acquitted, and the case has remained one of America’s most famous historical murder mysteries.
That uncertainty is a major part of the appeal behind Netflix’s new interpretation of the story.
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story Cast
Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden
Ella Beatty leads the series as Lizzie Borden.
Beatty previously appeared in Ryan Murphy’s Feud: Capote vs. The Swans and now takes on the central role in the latest Monster story.
Netflix describes Lizzie as the anthology’s first female “Monster,” with the season exploring themes of female rage, repression, and power.
Vicky Krieps as Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan
Vicky Krieps plays Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, the Bordens’ live-in maid.
Maggie’s relationship with Lizzie is a major part of the season’s story, with Netflix presenting the two women as central figures in the events leading up to the murders.
Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden
Charlie Hunnam plays Andrew Borden, Lizzie’s father.
Hunnam is already familiar to Monster viewers after portraying Ed Gein in the previous installment of the anthology.
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Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden
Rebecca Hall plays Abby Borden, Lizzie’s stepmother.
Her character is part of the tense family environment surrounding Lizzie before the murders.
Netflix’s official trailer gives viewers a first look at Hall alongside Charlie Hunnam as the Borden parents.
Billie Lourd as Emma Borden
Billie Lourd plays Emma Borden, Lizzie’s older sister.
Lourd is also well known to Ryan Murphy fans for her appearances in American Horror Story.
FilmRadar previously covered the upcoming American Horror Story Season 13, another major Ryan Murphy-related title.
Jessica Barden as Nance O’Neil
Jessica Barden plays Nance O’Neil, an actor and friend of Lizzie.
Her character gives the story another connection to Lizzie’s life outside the Borden family home.
Sarah Paulson as Aileen Wuornos
One of the season’s most surprising casting choices is Sarah Paulson as Aileen Wuornos.
Paulson is a longtime Ryan Murphy collaborator, and her appearance creates an unusual connection between the Lizzie Borden story and the wider themes of the Monster anthology.
Netflix has confirmed Paulson’s role as Wuornos.
For viewers wondering why Aileen Wuornos appears in a story about Lizzie Borden, Netflix has also published a dedicated feature about Paulson’s role.
Netflix Tudum — Sarah Paulson in Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story
Is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story Based on a True Story?
Yes.
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is based on the real-life case involving the 1892 murders of Andrew and Abby Borden.
Lizzie Borden was accused of killing her father and stepmother and later stood trial. She was acquitted.
However, the Netflix series is a scripted drama rather than a documentary. Some relationships, dialogue, and events are therefore dramatized for television.
The real case remains a mystery, which gives the series room to explore different interpretations of what may have happened inside the Borden household.
Is There a Trailer for Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story?
Yes. Netflix has released the official trailer.
The trailer introduces Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden and gives viewers a darker look at the Borden family, the relationship between Lizzie and Maggie, and the violence surrounding the infamous case.
It also features Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden and Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden.
The full trailer was released ahead of the September 17 Netflix premiere.
Official trailer: Watch the Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story trailer on Netflix Tudum
How Many Episodes Is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story?
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is an eight-episode limited series.
All eight episodes are scheduled to arrive on Netflix on September 17, 2026, allowing viewers to watch the complete season rather than waiting for weekly releases.
Is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story Connected to the Other Seasons?
Yes, but not through a continuing storyline.
The Monster anthology uses a new real-life criminal case for each installment.
The previous seasons focused on:
- Jeffrey Dahmer
- Erik and Lyle Menendez
- Ed Gein
The fourth season shifts the focus to Lizzie Borden.
The main connection is the anthology itself, along with Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s approach to exploring infamous criminal cases through scripted drama.
Where Can You Watch Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story?
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story premieres exclusively on Netflix on September 17, 2026.
The official Netflix page lists the series as a 2026 TV-MA title and describes its story as taking place inside a cruel Victorian-era household.
Official Netflix page: Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story on Netflix
Why Is Netflix Making a Lizzie Borden Series?
Lizzie Borden remains one of the most recognizable names in American true crime more than a century after the murders.
The combination of a wealthy New England family, a notorious double murder, an accused daughter, and an unresolved case makes the story a natural fit for the Monster anthology.
But Netflix’s version is not simply interested in the crime itself.
The official synopsis emphasizes humiliation, cruelty, power, revenge, and repression, suggesting that the season will spend considerable time exploring the environment surrounding Lizzie before the murders.
Final Thoughts
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story gives Netflix’s popular true-crime anthology a very different subject.
With Ella Beatty leading the cast and actors including Charlie Hunnam, Rebecca Hall, Vicky Krieps, Billie Lourd, Jessica Barden and Sarah Paulson joining her, the season has a strong ensemble and a story that has fascinated audiences for generations.
The biggest question is how much of Lizzie Borden’s real story the series will stick to — and how much it will reshape for television.
For now, Netflix is bringing one of America’s most famous historical murder cases to the screen as the fourth chapter of its Monster anthology.