Ella Beatty is stepping in as Lizzie Borden, one of history’s most notorious women, in the fourth season of Ryan Murphy’s Netflix anthology series Monster. Netflix announced the news today, on October 9, with a promotional image featuring Beatty and Charlie Hunnam. The caption to the post read,
You’ve met Ed Gein, now meet Lizzie Borden. Ella Beatty will play one of the history’s most notorious women in the fourth installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s MONSTER.
Beatty is now accepting the Monster torch in season 4 from her predecessor Hunnam, who portrayed Ed Gein in Season 3’s Monster: The Ed Gein Story. Hunnam will also join her, along with other talented cast members, in season 4.
Monster Season 4 Is in Production: All About Monster Season 4
In the same post, Netflix also announced that production for season 4 has begun in Los Angeles. Check out the post below:
You've met Ed Gein, now meet Lizzie Borden. Ella Beatty will play one of history’s most notorious women in the fourth installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s MONSTER.
Now in production in Los Angeles. Also starring Charlie Hunnam, Vicky Krieps, Rebecca Hall, Billie Lourd… pic.twitter.com/JAy40IYKa9
The new season will focus on Lizzie Borden, the woman accused of the 1892 axe murders of her father, Andrew Borden, and stepmother, Abby Borden, in Fall River, Massachusetts. Despite being acquitted of the crime, Lizzie’s name remains synonymous with one of the most infamous murder cases in U.S. history. This season will take a closer look at her life, the murders, and the public fascination for over a century.
Ella Beatty will portray Lizzie Borden in Monster season 4. She is best known for her roles in Murphy’s another work, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, and Mary Bronstein’s If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. The cast also includes Charlie Hunnam as Lizzie’s father, Andrew Borden, and Rebecca Hall as Lizzie’s stepmother, Abby Borden.
Joining the ensemble are Vicky Krieps as the Borden family’s maid, Bridget Sullivan, and Billie Lourd as Lizzie’s sister, Emma Borden. Jessica Barden as Lizzie’s actress friend, Nance O’Neill (via Netflix Tudum).
Max Winkler, who previously worked on Monster: The Ed Gein Story, will direct the first episode.
What Did Ryan Murphy Say About Monster Season 4?
In an interview with Variety, just before season 3’s release, Murphy and Brennan shared their thoughts on the fourth season and the decision to center it around the first female Monster season. Murphy went on to clarify that the show explores themes beyond Lizzie herself, stating,
It’s a female ‘Monster’ season. It talks not just about Lizzie, but other infamous women who were branded as monsters.
Murphy noted that the season will delve into other infamous female figures throughout history, such as Aileen Wuornos and Countess Elizabeth Báthory. Wuornos was executed for serial murder in 2002, and Báthory was a Hungarian noble accused of torture and murder at the turn of the 17th century (via Variety).
While a release date is yet to be confirmed, fans can expect the season to drop around late September or early October 2026, just like the previous seasons.
Are you ready to meet Lizzie Borden? Let us know if you’ll be tuning in for this next blood-soaked installment.
Monster is available to stream on Netflix (US).
