Netflix is turning one of America’s most enduring murder mysteries into its latest psychological drama with Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story. Premiering September 17, 2026, the fourth installment of the Netflix anthology stars Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden and Charlie Hunnam as her father, Andrew Borden.
The casting is already generating attention because both performers are stepping into dramatically different territory. Beatty takes on the role of a young woman whose name became permanently associated with a notorious 1892 double murder, while Hunnam returns to the Monster universe in a completely different role after portraying Ed Gein in the previous season.
Ella Beatty Faces the Role of Lizzie Borden
Beatty’s transformation is central to the new season. Netflix describes Lizzie as a repressed daughter trapped inside a cruel Victorian-era household, whose relationship with the family maid Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan becomes an important part of the story.
The actress has said that she researched the historical case extensively before approaching the role. Netflix’s Tudum coverage describes this season as the franchise’s first story centered on a female “Monster,” with themes including female rage, repression and power.
That distinction makes the performance particularly intriguing. The real Lizzie Borden was arrested in August 1892 and later acquitted of murdering her father and stepmother. The Library of Congress documents her arrest and 1893 trial, while the Smithsonian notes how the case became one of the most famous criminal mysteries in American history.
Charlie Hunnam’s Remarkable Change
Hunnam’s involvement adds another layer of intrigue. After playing Ed Gein in Monster: The Ed Gein Story, he now portrays Andrew Borden, Lizzie’s father. Netflix lists Hunnam alongside Beatty, Vicky Krieps, Rebecca Hall, Billie Lourd and Sarah Paulson in the new ensemble.
The role reversal is especially notable because Hunnam is moving from the center of one disturbing true-crime story to the family at the center of another. His presence also gives longtime viewers of the anthology an immediate connection between its seasons.
A Famous Mystery Gets a New Interpretation
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is not simply recreating the historical record. Netflix’s official trailer coverage makes clear that the series uses the Borden case as the foundation for a highly stylized psychological interpretation.
The historical mystery remains compelling because Lizzie was acquitted, leaving generations to debate what actually happened. The Library of Congress confirms that she was found not guilty on June 20, 1893, and that questions surrounding the murders have persisted ever since.
Why September 2026 Could Belong to Monster
Netflix has positioned the series as one of its major September releases, alongside several returning franchises and new productions. The company’s September lineup confirms the September 17 premiere date.
With Beatty’s first major lead role in the anthology, Hunnam’s unexpected transformation, and a crime story that has fascinated Americans for more than a century, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story has the ingredients for a major television conversation.
Whether the series ultimately changes perceptions of Lizzie Borden or simply adds another provocative interpretation to the legend, its arrival gives true-crime audiences a new reason to revisit one of America’s most famous unsolved cultural mysteries.
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story premieres September 17, 2026, on Netflix.
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