Production for Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story has expanded from Los Angeles to Europe. Filming started in California and is now taking place in Rome for a significant part of the shoot. The series is the fourth chapter in Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s popular true crime anthology for Netflix. This season turns to the unsolved 1892 axe murders that made Lizzie Borden a permanent figure in American folklore. With a high-profile cast led by Ella Beatty and the return of Charlie Hunnam, the season is scheduled to finish filming in March 2026 and is expected to premiere on Netflix later that same year.
Core Story and Historical Background of the Lizzie Borden Case
This season dramatizes the story of Lizzie Borden, a woman from Fall River, Massachusetts, who was tried and acquitted for the brutal murders of her father, Andrew Borden, and her stepmother, Abby Borden. The crimes, which took place on August 4, 1892, remain officially unsolved and have sparked debate and fascination for over a century. The case captivated the nation, earning the title “the trial of the century” for its era.
The infamous nursery rhyme, “Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her mother forty whacks…,” cemented her notoriety in pop culture, despite her legal acquittal. The series will explore the complex circumstances of her life, the shocking events of that day, and the intense media spectacle that followed. As with previous seasons, creators Murphy and Brennan are expected to examine not just the crimes, but the lasting cultural impact and the reasons society remains obsessed with such stories.
Cinematographer Michael Bauman, speaking about the production, noted, “I didn’t know anything about her. Just all the side of the nursery rhymes that I’d heard over the years. But it’s really interesting, her whole story. There’s so much going on there that just … it parallels very much to things that are happening now.”
Key Production Update and Location Shift to Rome
A major update for the production is the shift in filming location. While principal photography began in Los Angeles in September 2025, the crew has since moved to Rome, Italy, for a scheduled five-week shoot. This European filming block began on January 22, 2026, and is set to wrap by February 25.
The reason for choosing Rome is practical and visual. Cinematographer Michael Bauman explained that the production needed castle settings, which are plentiful in Rome, to authentically recreate certain parts of the story. This location change highlights the scale and specific period requirements of this season. The entire production, spanning both Los Angeles and Rome, is on track to be completed by March 2026.
Star-Studded Cast and Returning Monster Actors
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story features a blend of new talent and familiar faces from the Monster anthology. Newcomer Ella Beatty, daughter of actors Annette Bening and Warren Beatty, takes on the central role of Lizzie Borden. This marks her second collaboration with Ryan Murphy after appearing in Feud: Capote vs. The Swans.
A notable aspect of this season is the return of actors from previous installments. Charlie Hunnam, who starred as Ed Gein in Season 3, returns to play Lizzie’s father, Andrew Borden. Vicky Krieps, who also appeared in the Ed Gein season, will play the Bordens’ live-in maid, Bridget Sullivan.
The full confirmed cast includes:
- Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden
- Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden
- Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden (Lizzie’s stepmother)
- Billie Lourd as Emma Borden (Lizzie’s older sister)
- Vicky Krieps as Bridget Sullivan (the maid)
- Jessica Barden as Nance O’Neill (a friend of Lizzie’s)
In a surprising casting development, reports indicate that Sarah Paulson is in final talks to play serial killer Aileen Wuornos. This suggests the season’s narrative may, like prior seasons, extend beyond the core story to explore the cultural ripple effects of Borden’s case. Wuornos was active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, decades after Borden’s death.
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Release Information and Series Track Record
Netflix has confirmed that Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is part of its 2026 slate of new shows. While an exact date is not yet set, the production schedule points to a likely premiere in the fall of 2026, similar to the late September/October releases of previous seasons. Filming is set to finish in March 2026, which allows time for post-production before a fall debut.
The Monster anthology has been a major success for Netflix. The first season, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, became one of the most-watched series in Netflix history. Subsequent seasons on the Menendez brothers and Ed Gein have consistently landed in the Netflix Top 10 and earned numerous award nominations, including 24 Emmy nominations for the first two seasons combined.
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