Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is the fourth season of the American biographical crime drama anthology television series Monster, created by Ian Brennan for Netflix. The season centers on murder suspect Lizzie Borden (Ella Beatty) who was tried and acquitted of the 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts. It also stars Vicky Krieps, Charlie Hunnam, Rebecca Hall, Jessica Barden, Joey Pollari, Billie Lourd and Sarah Paulson. It is the first installment of the anthology to focus on an alleged female perpetrator.
All eight episodes were released worldwide on Netflix on September 17, 2026.
Contents
Premise
On August 4, 1892, the spouses Borden, Andrew and Abby, are found bludgeoned to death with a hatchet in their home in Fall River, Massachusetts. Their daughter/stepdaughter, Lizzie, becomes the prime suspect in the murders.
Cast and characters
Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden
Vicky Krieps as
Bridget Sullivan, the Borden family's housemaid
Elizabeth Báthory, an alleged serial killer accused of killing and torturing girls and women from 1590 to 1610.
Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden, Emma's and Lizzie's father
Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden, Andrew's second wife and Emma's and Lizzie's stepmother
Jessica Barden as Nance O'Neill, a stage actress who formed a close friendship with Lizzie
Joey Pollari as John Morse, Emma's and Lizzie's maternal uncle
Billie Lourd as Emma Borden, Lizzie's older sister
Sarah Paulson as Aileen Wuornos, a serial killer who committed seven murders between 1989 and 1990
Oliver Spenceman as Stephen
Production
The season was first announced to be in development on July 8, 2025. Ella Beatty was cast as Lizzie Borden later that month, alongside Rebecca Hall and Vicky Krieps, while Charlie Hunnam joined the cast in September. Principal photography began in Los Angeles in September 2025 and wrapped in March 2026.
According to creator Ian Brennan, the season explores misogyny, gender roles, and societal expectations placed on women in the Victorian era. It also examines class and sexuality themes through the relationship between Borden and Bridget Sullivan.
Release
The season was released on September 17, 2026, on Netflix.
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