Ella Beatty to Portray Legendary Figure Lizzie Borden in 'Monster' Season 4

Ella Beatty to Portray Legendary Figure Lizzie Borden in 'Monster' Season 4

Ryan Murphy's acclaimed Netflix crime series 'Monster' is set to return for its fourth season, with production confirming rising actress Ella Beatty will star as Lizzie Borden. This 19th-century legendary figure became famous for being accused of murdering her father and stepmother, and despite eventually being acquitted, her story remains one of the most controversial cases in American criminal history.

Rising Star from Hollywood Royalty

Ella Beatty is the daughter of Hollywood power couple Annette Bening and Warren Beatty, and this will mark her first leading role in a major series. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Beatty previously made an impression in Murphy's other work 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans,' where she portrayed Truman Capote's young protégé Kerry O'Shea.

Industry insiders praise Beatty for having talent that transcends her family background:

"Ella isn't just getting attention because of her parents. She graduated from Juilliard, has put in the work, and comes prepared and impressive to every audition."

Powerful Ensemble Cast

In addition to Beatty, the production has announced two heavyweight actresses joining the cast:

• Rebecca Hall: Known for 'Godzilla vs. Kong,' will play Lizzie's stepmother Abby Borden
• Vicky Krieps: The European actress who rose to fame in 'Phantom Thread,' will portray the Borden family maid Bridget Sullivan

Notably, all three actresses have previously collaborated with Murphy. Hall is set to appear in Murphy's FX series 'The Beauty,' while Krieps has a role in 'Monster' Season 3, which will focus on serial killer Ed Gein's story, starring Charlie Hunnam.

Historical Case and LGBTQ+ Representation

The Sensational Axe Murder Case

The Lizzie Borden case occurred in 1892 when she was accused of using an axe to murder her father and stepmother, a case that garnered widespread attention across America. Despite seemingly conclusive evidence, Borden was ultimately acquitted by the jury. No one else was ever charged with the crime before her death from pneumonia in 1927.

Historical Exploration of Sexual Orientation

Over the years, historians and biographers have repeatedly suggested that Borden may have been a lesbian. The 2018 film 'Lizzie,' starring Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart, boldly explored the potential romantic relationship between Borden and the family's maid.

Murphy's work has always been known for exploring LGBTQ+ issues, and this time is no exception. According to sources, the new season will delve deeply into Borden's sexual orientation and its possible connection to the case.

Murphy's Crime Story Empire

The 'Monster' series has become one of Netflix's most popular original content, with the first season focusing on serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer's story, starring Evan Peters, which remains among Netflix's top five most-watched English-language series.

The second season told the story of the Lyle and Erik Menendez brothers who murdered their parents, sparking widespread discussion and even influencing real-world judicial processes. The Los Angeles District Attorney suggested reconsidering the Menendez brothers' sentences after the season aired, potentially bringing a new turn for the brothers who have been convicted for over 30 years.

Regarding potential controversies in the series, Murphy has responded:

"We are very careful in handling these stories. We give the characters an opportunity to speak in court, to discuss the case publicly. We present the facts from their perspective."

The Upcoming Third Season

Before the Borden story airs, viewers will first see 'Monster' Season 3, subtitled 'The Original Monster,' focusing on 1950s serial killer Ed Gein, starring 'Sons of Anarchy' lead Charlie Hunnam.

Gein is considered the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock's classic film 'Psycho' and 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.' Murphy describes Gein as a typical case of someone who "became an instant celebrity after being arrested."

Audience Anticipation

The first two seasons of 'Monster' are already available on Netflix, with the third season expected to be released later this year, while the Beatty-led fourth season is planned for release in 2026.

With the announcement of this casting news, social media has erupted with discussions, with many viewers expressing excitement to see how this emerging actress will interpret this complex historical figure, and how Murphy will handle the potential LGBTQ+ elements in this controversial historical case.

References

• The Hollywood Reporter. (2025). Ella Beatty to Star as Lizzie Borden in 'Monster' Season 4. Hollywood Reporter Media.
• Deadline. (2025). 'Monster': Ella Beatty To Star As Lizzie Borden, Rebecca Hall & Vicky Krieps Also Cast. Deadline Publications.
• Netflix. (2025). Monster Anthology Series Casting Announcement. Netflix Media Center.