Ryan Murphy Turns to the Infamous Lizzie Borden Case for Monster

Murphy, who co-created the series with Ian Brennan, describes a lifelong fascination with the Borden case dating back to his kindergarten years. He recalls winning a singing contest by reciting the grim rhyme detailing the deaths of Andrew and Abby Borden. While previous iterations of Monster focused on figures like Jeffrey Dahmer or the Menendez brothers, the new season tackles a subject who was famously acquitted by an all-male jury in 1893. Murphy intends to frame the narrative around the struggle of women against the legal system, questioning their motivations and the societal pressures of the era.

Beyond Borden, the production expands its scope to include other historical figures, specifically serial killer Aileen Wuornos and the 17th-century countess Elizabeth Báthory. Despite recurring criticism regarding the dramatization of real-life tragedies, Murphy maintains that his intent is not to glorify these individuals but to explore the complex circumstances surrounding their lives. The cast for this installment features Ella Beatty as Lizzie, with Charlie Hunnam, Rebecca Hall, and Vicky Krieps in supporting roles. The series is scheduled for a September 17 premiere on Netflix.