Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story

Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is a biographical crime drama anthology television series created by Ian Brennan and Ryan Murphy for Netflix. Functioning as part of the broader Monster true-crime anthology brand, the scripted period drama focuses on one of the most famous and enduring unsolved murder mysteries in American legal history. Set in the late nineteenth century in Fall River, Massachusetts, the narrative examines the brutal 1892 axe murders of Andrew Borden and his second wife, Abby Borden, a double homicide that gripped the United States and spawned endless public fascination, intense media scrutiny, and enduring cultural folklore. The series explores the claustrophobic dynamics of the Victorian-era Borden household, delving into motives of financial control, domestic repression, social isolation, and familial resentment that culminated in the deadly event.

The series stars Ella Beatty in the title role as Lizzie Borden, the younger daughter who was arrested, tried, and ultimately acquitted for the shocking murders of her father and stepmother. The expansive ensemble cast includes Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden, Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden, Vicky Krieps as Emma Borden, and Jessica Barden as Bridget Sullivan, the family housemaid. Additionally, the production features prominent supporting performances from Sarah Paulson, Billie Lourd, and Joey Pollari. Blending psychological horror, courtroom drama, and historical period piece aesthetics, the show presents a multi-perspective examination of the investigation, the sensationalized courtroom proceedings, and the psychological atmosphere surrounding the Borden estate before and after the slayings.

As a streaming original, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is distributed globally by Netflix. Produced by Ryan Murphy Productions alongside Ryan Murphy Television and 20th Television, the series continues the creative partnership responsible for prior entries in the biographical crime franchise. The production recreates late-nineteenth-century New England through meticulous costume design, atmospheric set construction, and period-accurate architectural staging. Beyond documenting the core trial and historical record, the storytelling framework delves into themes of female agency, societal expectations in Gilded Age America, and the sensationalism of early American tabloid journalism.

Aired Seasons

As of early September 2026, no full seasons of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story have officially aired on Netflix, as the complete premiering installment is scheduled to debut globally on September 17, 2026. Because no previous seasons exist under this specific title and the inaugural season has not yet reached broadcast, no historical season recaps or season-by-season episode breakdowns are yet available in the public record.

Even prior to its official release, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story generated substantial cultural interest, media discussion, and industry attention. Film scholars, crime historians, and television critics have noted the series as a major milestone for the Monster anthology brand, representing its first installment centered primarily on an alleged female perpetrator and a nineteenth-century historical murder case. The announcement of the cast, particularly Ella Beatty taking on the central role of Lizzie Borden and Sarah Paulson joining the ensemble, attracted significant coverage across major entertainment trade publications. While critical reviews and formal television industry awards remain pending until after the show's official premiere, the production has already sparked widespread public conversation regarding historical crime storytelling, the ethics of true-crime dramatizations, and the enduring mythological status of the Lizzie Borden case in modern popular culture.