Netflix is returning to one of the most famous criminal cases in American history with Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, the fourth installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s Monster anthology.
The limited series stars Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden, the Massachusetts woman who was accused of killing her father and stepmother in 1892 and was later acquitted. The new season explores the family circumstances surrounding the case while dramatizing the events that turned Borden into one of the most recognizable figures in American true-crime history.
All eight episodes are scheduled to arrive on Netflix on September 17, 2026.
When Does Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story Come Out?
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story premieres on Netflix on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Unlike a weekly television release, Netflix is releasing all eight episodes together, allowing viewers to watch the limited series at their own pace.
The release is part of Netflix’s busy September schedule, which also includes new episodes of Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, The Fixers, The Doll and other new titles.
What Is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story About?
The series dramatizes the story of Lizzie Borden and the infamous 1892 murders of her father, Andrew Borden, and stepmother, Abby Borden.
According to historical records, both were killed at their home in Fall River, Massachusetts, in August 1892. Suspicion eventually focused on Lizzie, who was 32 at the time.
She was arrested, tried for the murders and ultimately acquitted in 1893. The case nevertheless remained a subject of public fascination for generations.
Netflix’s version is not presented simply as a courtroom recreation. The official description focuses on Lizzie’s restrictive family environment and her relationship with the family’s live-in maid, Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan. The series uses those relationships as part of its dramatic interpretation of the events surrounding the murders.
Because Lizzie Borden was acquitted, the series is dramatizing a historical case whose central questions remain part of its cultural legacy rather than presenting a new factual finding about who committed the murders.
Ella Beatty Leads the Cast as Lizzie Borden
Ella Beatty takes the central role of Lizzie Borden.
Beatty previously appeared in Ryan Murphy’s Feud: Capote vs. The Swans and in the film If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. Netflix selected her to portray the historical figure at the center of the fourth Monster season.
The role represents a major opportunity for Beatty, as much of the new series depends on her interpretation of a woman whose story has been repeatedly revisited in books, films, television and popular culture.
In Netflix’s behind-the-scenes material, Beatty described the project as an exploration of Lizzie’s complicated life and the questions surrounding the historical case.
Who Else Is in the Cast?
The series has assembled a notable ensemble around Beatty.
Vicky Krieps plays Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, the Borden family’s live-in maid. The character is important to the series because Netflix’s story places her relationship with Lizzie at the center of the drama.
Charlie Hunnam plays Andrew Borden, Lizzie’s father.
Hunnam previously appeared in the third season of Monster, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, where he played serial killer Ed Gein.
Rebecca Hall portrays Abby Borden, Lizzie’s stepmother.
Billie Lourd plays Emma, Lizzie’s older sister.
Jessica Barden appears as Nance O’Neil, an actor who becomes part of Lizzie’s world.
Sarah Paulson is also part of the cast. Netflix’s official cast information lists her as Aileen Wuornos.
The ensemble gives the new season a mixture of established performers and a new central lead.
Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan Return
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story comes from creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan.
The pair previously developed the anthology around real-life criminal cases, beginning with Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story in 2022.
The second installment focused on the Menendez brothers, while the third season examined Ed Gein.
The anthology format means each season tells a separate historical story with a new cast of characters.
For the fourth installment, the creators have moved from 20th-century cases to one of the most famous American murder trials of the 19th century.
Why Was Lizzie Borden Chosen?
The Lizzie Borden case has remained culturally recognizable for more than a century.
Part of its lasting interest comes from the combination of a wealthy Victorian household, two murders, a highly publicized trial and Lizzie’s eventual acquittal.
Netflix’s official description also emphasizes broader themes surrounding gender, repression, family relationships and social expectations.
That gives the series an opportunity to examine the historical case through a character-driven drama rather than simply recreating the investigation.
At the same time, viewers should remember that the series is a dramatic interpretation of historical events, not a documentary.
What Happened to Lizzie Borden in Real Life?
Lizzie Borden was accused of killing her father and stepmother in 1892.
The case attracted enormous public attention, and Borden was eventually put on trial.
She was acquitted of the murders in 1893.
Despite the verdict, the case became part of American popular culture. The famous rhyme associated with Borden helped keep the story alive long after the trial ended.
Borden died in 1927 at the age of 66.
More than a century later, her name remains associated with one of America’s most widely discussed unsolved historical murder cases.
How Is the New Series Different From a Documentary?
One important distinction for viewers is that Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is a scripted drama.
Netflix is using historical events as the foundation for a fictionalized television narrative. Characters, conversations and some circumstances are therefore presented through dramatic storytelling rather than as a complete historical record.
The show’s official synopsis specifically frames the story around Lizzie’s family life and her relationship with Bridget Sullivan.
For viewers interested in the real case, the series can serve as an introduction to the subject, but historical sources should be consulted separately for factual details.
How Many Episodes Are There?
The fourth season consists of eight episodes.
All eight episodes will be available on Netflix on September 17 rather than being released one at a time.
That format also means viewers will be able to follow the complete dramatic interpretation of the Borden story immediately after the premiere.
Is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story Based on a True Story?
Yes, the series is based on a real historical case.
Lizzie Borden, Andrew Borden and Abby Borden were real people, and the 1892 murders and 1893 trial are documented historical events.
However, the Netflix series is not a documentary. Its scenes, dialogue and character relationships are dramatized for television.
Netflix describes the season as an exploration of the story and its larger themes, while historical reporting confirms the basic facts of Borden’s accusation, trial and acquittal.
What to Expect From Season 4
The new season continues the approach that has defined the Monster anthology: taking a well-known criminal case and building a character-focused drama around it.
This time, the story moves into a Victorian-era Massachusetts household, with Ella Beatty’s Lizzie at its center.
The combination of Beatty, Vicky Krieps, Rebecca Hall and Charlie Hunnam gives the series a substantial ensemble, while Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan return with another historical case for the anthology.
The timing also puts Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story among Netflix’s notable September releases, arriving alongside several other major new series and films.
Final Thoughts
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story brings one of America’s most recognizable historical criminal cases to Netflix in a new eight-episode drama.
With Ella Beatty leading the cast as Lizzie Borden and performers including Vicky Krieps, Rebecca Hall, Charlie Hunnam and Billie Lourd joining her, the series has a strong ensemble at the center of its retelling.
The show premieres September 17, 2026, with all eight episodes arriving at once.
For viewers familiar with the Borden case, the main question will be how the series interprets the complicated family relationships and historical uncertainty surrounding the story. For new viewers, it offers a dramatized introduction to a case that has remained part of American popular culture for more than 130 years.
