Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this article:
- Sources say the hit Netflix crime anthology Monster has its Season 4 subject: Lizzie Borden.
- Borden stood trial for the 1892 hatchet murders of her parents but was acquitted.
- Series creator Ryan Murphy and the streaming service declined to comment.
As we await the third season of Monster, Ryan Murphy’s popular Netflix crime anthology, the series might already have its next infamous figure in mind.
Sources told Variety on Tuesday that Lizzie Borden, who was accused of and stood trial for the 1892 hatchet murders of her parents, will be the subject of the fourth installment. However, no official announcement has been made, and both Murphy and Netflix declined to comment.
Monster has been a massive hit for the streamer, with previous seasons about Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers quickly jumping to the top of its viewing charts. Actor Evan Peters won a Golden Globe and received an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Dahmer. And, renewed interest in the Menendez case likely helped the infamous siblings become parole eligible earlier this year. The third season, which currently has no release date, is set to feature killer Ed Gein.
While the Lizzie Borden case happened more than a century ago, the brutal nature of her alleged crimes still captures the attention of contemporary audiences. Here’s what you need to know about Borden and her latest onscreen portrayal.
Who is Lizzie Borden?
Lizzie Andrew Borden was an accused murderer at the heart of arguably the most infamous criminal trial of the 19th century.
On August 4, 1892, her father Andrew Borden and stepmother Abby Borden were found dead—both victims of a brutal hatchet attack—in their Fall River, Massachusetts, home. As Biography.com previously reported, police quickly suspected Lizzie, who burned a dress she claimed was stained with paint in the days following the killings.
Borden was indicted on December 2, 1892, and stood trial for the murders the following June. She didn’t take the stand in her own defense, and reportedly fainted when lawyers showed the skulls of her dead parents inside the courtroom.
Witness testimony in the case ultimately proved inconclusive, and a jury of 12 men acquitted Borden of the killings. No one else was ever charged in the case. Borden and her sister Emma inherited much of their father’s estate, and she continued living in Fall River until her death on June 1, 1927.
The case has been the subject of numerous big and small screen adaptations, including The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975) starring Elizabeth Montgomery as the accused killer and Lizzie Borden Took an Ax (2014) with Christina Ricci. The home where the killings occurred is now a popular tourist attraction, operating as a bed and breakfast and offering ghost tours for morbidly curious visitors.
Who will portray Lizzie Borden in Monster?
Because the fourth season hasn’t been officially announced, there is no public information about potential casting.
Interestingly, one actor who previously appeared in Murphy’s anthology series is already quite familiar with Borden’s story. Chloë Sevigny, who played slain mother Kitty Menendez in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, was cast as the accused killer in the 2018 movie Lizzie, also starring Kristen Stewart as Borden family maid Bridget Sullivan.
When will Monster season 4 release?
There is no release date set for the fourth season. According to Variety, the series could begin shooting this fall.
In fact, Netflix has yet to reveal a date for the upcoming third season. It stars Charlie Hunnam as Gein, the real “Butcher of Plainfield” who helped inspire fictional characters such as Norman Bates from Psycho (1960) and Leatherface from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974). Tom Hollander and Laurie Metcalf are also among the confirmed cast.
Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor and is now the News and Culture Editor. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor for a daily newspaper recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors. In his current role, he shares the true stories behind your favorite movies and TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes. When he's not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.
