Actress Sarah Paulson has been photographed in full character for the first time, showcasing a major physical transformation to play infamous serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the upcoming fourth season of Netflix’s “Monster.” The photos, taken on the Los Angeles set in mid-December 2025, show Paulson with bleached eyebrows and a light brown wig, bearing a strong resemblance to Wuornos, who was convicted of murdering seven men in Florida in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This casting marks the latest collaboration between Paulson and series creator Ryan Murphy, though the exact narrative role of the Wuornos character in a season centered on 19th-century accused murderer Lizzie Borden remains a central question.
The First Look at Paulson’s Transformation
Images from the set of “Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story,” first published on Dec. 17 and 18, 2025, provide a clear view of Sarah Paulson’s physical commitment to the role of Aileen Wuornos. In the photos, the actress is seen wearing a maroon robe over a white tank top and sweatpants, with slippers on her feet. The most striking changes are to her hair and features. Paulson sports a light brown, tapered wig with a shaggy cut, a significant departure from her recent styles, and has bleached her eyebrows to match the look of the real Wuornos.
The transformation has drawn immediate comparisons to previous screen portrayals of the serial killer, most notably Charlize Theron’s Oscar-winning performance in the 2003 film “Monster”. The on-set appearance confirms earlier industry reports from Variety in December 2025 that Paulson was in final talks to join the season for a specific, undisclosed role. When asked about the part earlier in December, Paulson hinted at her interest, telling Variety, “I’m coming on to do a particular thing that I can’t talk about… I’m always going to be interested in the why of human behavior”.
Understanding Aileen Wuornos and the “Monster” Legacy
Aileen Wuornos is one of America’s most notorious female serial killers. She was convicted of murdering seven men in Florida between 1989 and 1990 while working as a sex worker, shooting her victims at point-blank range. After a lengthy legal process, she was executed by lethal injection in 2002. Her life story entered popular culture through documentaries and the aforementioned 2003 film, which earned Charlize Theron an Academy Award for her transformative lead performance.
The “Monster” anthology series on Netflix, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, has built a reputation for dramatizing the lives of infamous criminals. The first season focused on Jeffrey Dahmer, the second on Erik and Lyle Menendez, and the most recent third season on Ed Gein. The series has been a major success for Netflix, with the Dahmer season reaching one billion view hours in its first 60 days and earning numerous Emmy nominations. Paulson’s casting continues Murphy’s long-standing practice of working with a frequent troupe of actors; she has starred in multiple seasons of his “American Horror Story” and other projects like “Ratched” and “American Crime Story”.
How Wuornos Fits Into the Lizzie Borden Story
The inclusion of Aileen Wuornos in a season titled “The Lizzie Borden Story” presents an intriguing narrative puzzle. The season’s main storyline follows Lizzie Borden, the Massachusetts woman famously accused (and later acquitted) of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe in 1892. The lead role of Lizzie is played by Ella Beatty, who is joined by a cast including Charlie Hunnam as Lizzie’s father Andrew, Rebecca Hall as stepmother Abby, and Billie Lourd as sister Emma.
Given that Wuornos’s crimes occurred nearly a century after the Borden case, her presence suggests the new season may explore thematic connections between different female criminals across history rather than a direct, chronological story. Industry analysis suggests Season 4 might examine “Borden’s impact on the perception of and connection to other female killers,” similar to how Season 3 explored Ed Gein’s cultural influence. This approach would allow the anthology to draw a through-line from the alleged crimes of a New England woman in the Victorian era to the confirmed murders committed by Wuornos in late-20th-century Florida.
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The Star-Studded Cast and Production Details
“Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story” boasts a significant ensemble cast. Newcomer Ella Beatty takes the titular role, having previously worked with Ryan Murphy on “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans”. She is joined by several returning “Monster” veterans. Charlie Hunnam, who portrayed Ed Gein in Season 3, returns to play a different character, Andrew Borden. Vicky Krieps, who also appeared in the Gein season, plays the Borden family maid, Bridget Sullivan.
Other key cast members include Rebecca Hall as stepmother Abby Borden and Jessica Barden as Lizzie’s actress friend Nance O’Neil. The first episode will be directed by Max Winkler. Filming began in Los Angeles in October 2025 and is scheduled to continue through the holidays into early 2026, with a wrap date currently set for March 2026. While Netflix has not announced an official release date, the production timeline suggests a potential premiere in Fall 2026.
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