Monster Season 4: All About First Female Killer In Anthology Series, Cast And Returning Actors To Franchise

The

next season of Netflix's Monster anthology will tell the story of Lizzie Borden, the young woman who killed her parents in her home with an axe. Set in the 1800s, the period drama will be led by Ella Beatty, daughter of stars Annette Bening and Warren Beatty. Her aunt is veteran actress and Oscar winner Shirley Maclaine. Find out more about the cast and story of Ryan Murphy's Monster anthology.

Ryan Murphy’s Monster Season 4 will focus on Lizzie Borden

In July 2025, a few months ahead of the release of Monster: The Ed Gein Story on October 3, Netflix announced the next installment would focus on Lizzie Borden. On X (formerly Twitter), the streaming service posted, "Ella Beatty will star as Lizzie Borden, who will be the focus of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's fourth installment of MONSTER. Also starring Vicky Krieps and Rebecca Hall."

Who is Ella Beatty?

Beatty is the youngest child of actors Annette Bening and Warren Beatty. She studied drama at Juilliard and earlier worked with Ryan Murphy on the limited series Feud: Capote vs. The Swans. The young actress made her film debut in Mary Bronstein’s Sundance film If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, co-starring Rose Byrne. Earlier this year, she co-starred with Hugh Jackman in the Broadway play Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes.

Cast of Monster Season 4

There are two familiar faces from Season 3 in the upcoming instalment. Charlie Hunnam, who played Ed Gein, is playing Lizzie's father, Andrew Borden, while Vicky Krieps, who was Ilse Koch, is essaying the role of Borden's live-in maid, Bridget Sullivan. The remaining cast includes actress Rebecca Hall as Lizzie's stepmother Abby, Carrie Fisher's daughter Billie Lourd as Lizzie's older sister Emma, and Jessica Barden as Lizzie's actress friend Nance O’Neil. ALSO READ: Monster The Ed Gein Story Review: Charlie Hunnam's Eerie Performance Overshadowed By Indulgent, Disturbing Narrative

Who is Lizzie Borden?

Born in 1860 in Fall River, Massachusetts, Lizzie Borden lost her mother when she was only two years old. Her father, Andrew, remarried when she was five to a woman named Abby. The Borden household was wealthy, but the patriarch was known to be frugal and religious. Both sisters, Emma and Ella, did not get along with their parents.In August 1892, Andrew and Abby were found dead by Lizzie in their home, having been brutally attacked by an axe. The murder weapon was never found, but an axe was found in the basement of the Borden home. Lizzie was arrested and went on trial for both the murders in 1893; however, she was acquitted due to circumstantial evidence. She remained ostracised by society after she went back to Fall River to live with Emma. In 1905, the sisters had a falling out and never spoke to one another again.

Makers and filming information

Producer Ryan Murphy and writer Ian Brennan are collaborating once again for the Lizzie Borden season. Director Max Winkler, who worked on Seasons 2 and 3, is returning to direct the first episode. Production on the Lizzie Borden series reportedly began on October 7; it has yet to be confirmed by Netflix.