Monster: The Legend of Lizzie Borden is officially gearing up for its Netflix premiere, bringing one of America’s most enduring true-crime mysteries to the screen in chilling detail. This upcoming season of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s acclaimed anthology series Monster dives deep into the infamous 1892 axe murders that shocked the nation and turned Lizzie Borden into a figure of legend.
The Infamous Case That Shocked the World
On August 4, 1892, in the quiet mill town of Fall River, Massachusetts, wealthy businessman Andrew Borden and his wife Abby were brutally hacked to death with an axe in their own home. Andrew suffered multiple blows to the head while resting on the sofa, and Abby was found in the upstairs bedroom, her skull similarly shattered. The crimes were gruesome and sudden, with no clear motive or intruder evidence, sparking immediate suspicion.
Lizzie Borden, Andrew’s 32-year-old daughter from his first marriage, quickly became the prime suspect. She was home at the time, gave conflicting accounts to police, and had a strained relationship with her stepmother Abby—fueled by family tensions over money, inheritance, and household dynamics. A hatchet with a broken handle was discovered in the basement, though evidence was circumstantial at best.
Lizzie was arrested, tried in a sensational 1893 courtroom spectacle dubbed the “trial of the century,” and ultimately acquitted after just an hour of jury deliberation. The case captivated the public, inspiring nursery rhymes (“Lizzie Borden took an axe…”), books, films, and endless speculation about her guilt or innocence. To this day, the murders remain unsolved, with theories ranging from Lizzie’s involvement to alternative suspects like a disgruntled employee or even the maid.
Netflix’s Take: Monster Season 4
Titled Monster: The Legend of Lizzie Borden (or variations like The Lizzie Borden Story), this fourth installment of the Monster anthology shifts focus to a historical figure after previous seasons tackled modern killers like Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez brothers, and Ed Gein. It’s the series’ first female-led season, exploring the psychological depths, family secrets, and societal pressures surrounding Lizzie and the events of that fateful summer.
Production began in Los Angeles in late 2025 and wrapped around March 2026. The season promises a dramatic, character-driven retelling that examines the brutality of the crimes, the media frenzy, and the enduring mystery.
Key cast highlights include:
Ella Beatty starring as Lizzie Borden (following her debut in Ryan Murphy’s Feud: Capote vs. The Swans)
Charlie Hunnam (returning from Season 3) as Andrew Borden
Rebecca Hall as stepmother Abby Borden
Vicky Krieps as the family maid, Bridget Sullivan
Other notable additions like Billie Lourd in a supporting role
Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, the series continues their signature blend of biographical drama and psychological tension.
When to Watch
While Netflix hasn’t announced an exact premiere date, sources point to a likely fall 2026 release—potentially September or October, aligning with the show’s traditional late-summer/early-fall window. With filming complete as of early 2026, expect trailers and more details soon.
This reimagining of the Lizzie Borden saga is set to captivate true-crime fans once again, shining a spotlight on the woman at the heart of one of history’s most haunting unsolved cases. Whether she was a murderer or a wrongly accused daughter, Monster: The Legend of Lizzie Borden will explore the darkness that still lingers over the name “