‘Monster’ Season 4 is in development at Netflix, will focus on Lizzie Borden, from Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan

Monster Season 4 Focuses on Lizzie Borden

Netflix has officially greenlit Season 4 of its hit true‑crime anthology Monster, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan. The upcoming installment will dramatize the infamous 1892 Lizzie Borden case in Fall River, Massachusetts.

This development arrives as Season 3, centered on Ed Gein, is gearing up for release. Audiences can expect the production to begin this autumn in Los Angeles, continuing the anthology’s pattern of delving into storied American crime history.

True Crime Anthology’s Proven Success

Monster debuted in 2022 with “Dahmer” and followed with Menendez Tales and Ed Gein. Its psychologically rich storytelling struck a chord: the Dahmer installment spent seven weeks in Netflix’s Top 10 and became one of the platform’s most‑watched English‑language launches.

Netflix responded with a two‑season renewal in 2022, underscoring the series’ strong performance.

Production Timeline for Season 4

According to Nexus Point News and What’s on Netflix, Season 4 is already in early development. Netflix plans to begin filming around September or Fall 2025 in Los Angeles, continuing production trends from prior seasons.

This timing aligns with overlapping schedules, as Season 3 enters its post‑production phase.

Lizzie Borden: Enduring American Mystery

Lizzie Borden allegedly murdered her father and stepmother with an axe on August 4, 1892. Despite her acquittal at trial, public fascination and suspicion persisted for over a century.

Her home in Fall River is now a tourist attraction famous for ghost tours and stays, showing how the case endures in cultural memory.

Strong Writing Team Attached

Ian Brennan returns as writer and executive producer, collaborating once again with Ryan Murphy to bring the Lizzie Borden saga to life. Their creative partnership, which powered previous Monster seasons, is known for blending real-life crime with compelling, emotionally driven storytelling that goes beyond surface-level shock value.

Sources like Gamerant, Nexus Point News, and SuperHeroHype Forums confirm the duo’s continued involvement. Their combined vision ensures that the show will likely maintain its signature tone, tense, haunting, and reflective.

Historic Context of the Borden Murders

On the morning of August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were found murdered in their Fall River home. The brutal hatchet attacks shocked late‑Victorian New England. Lizzie, 32, was arrested and tried in 1893.

She was ultimately acquitted, largely due to weak physical evidence and societal bias that doubted a woman could commit such violence.

Cultural Fascination with Lizzie Borden

Countless adaptations have revisited the case: a 2014 Lifetime film starred Christina Ricci, followed by a miniseries; Chloë Sevigny portrayed Lizzie in 2018.

Today, her home draws tourists for ghost‑story tours and themed B&B stays, some rooms reaching $300/night. The enduring interest proves that Lizzie Borden remains a compelling figure at the intersection of history, folklore, and pop culture.

Anthology’s Broader Scope Expands Timeline

While previous seasons of Monster focused on 20th-century cases like Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers, Season 4 will dive deeper into history, transporting audiences to 1890s Massachusetts.

This shift in timeline offers an opportunity to explore Victorian-era class tensions, limited forensic science, and the deeply ingrained gender norms of the time. By dramatizing a high-profile female-centered crime from the Gilded Age, Monster broadens its thematic reach beyond modern serial killers.

Ed Gein Season Sets the Stage

Season 3, titled Monster: The Original Monster, centers on Wisconsin killer Ed Gein, whose crimes inspired horror classics like Psycho and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Starring Charlie Hunnam, Laurie Metcalf, and Tom Hollander, the season has already wrapped filming and is currently in post-production.

Its tone reportedly leans more gothic and psychological, a possible setup for Season 4’s dive into Victorian tragedy.

Casting Speculation Builds Anticipation

While Netflix hasn’t released any casting details for Season 4, buzz is already building. Given the franchise’s track record, Evan Peters as Dahmer and Javier Bardem in the Menendez season, fans expect another powerful lead.

Casting directors Josh Einsohn and Tiffany Little Canfield are reportedly looking for a top-tier actress who can embody Lizzie’s mix of vulnerability, mystery, and strength.

Possible Narrative Angles Explored

The Lizzie Borden case provides fertile ground for layered storytelling. Murphy and Brennan may examine tensions between Lizzie and her strict, affluent father, as well as her strained relationship with stepmother Abby.

The role of Bridget Sullivan, the maid who was home during the murders, could offer another emotional perspective. Additionally, the trial itself, marked by gender biases and a lack of forensic tools, offers rich drama.

Period Aesthetics Will Enrich Storytelling

Recreating 1890s Fall River offers exciting visual possibilities. Expect ornate Victorian architecture, corseted silhouettes, parasols, and gas-lit interiors that echo the period’s repression and rigidity.

The production team is likely to employ atmospheric lighting, muted color palettes, and textured costumes to mirror Lizzie’s emotional claustrophobia and the town’s moral strictures. As seen in previous Monster entries, setting becomes a character itself. Historical authenticity, down to tea sets and wallpaper, can heighten tension.

Tourism Meets True Crime Legacy

The Borden house in Fall River has been transformed into a tourist destination, drawing thrill-seekers and true-crime fans alike. Guests can sleep in the room where Abby Borden was killed or tour the basement where police first questioned Lizzie.

With rooms going for over $300 a night, the house blurs the lines between history, spectacle, and commerce. Including this modern-day fascination in the series, perhaps through framing or flash-forward sequences, could add a rich meta layer.

Public Opinion Versus Legal Outcome

Although Lizzie Borden was acquitted of all charges in 1893, the court of public opinion never cleared her name. Many Americans still believe she committed the murders, despite the lack of direct evidence.

This dissonance between law and perception is a recurring Monster theme. Murphy and Brennan previously explored how society shapes narratives around guilt, often based on race, gender, or sensational media. In Lizzie’s case, her calm demeanor, family status, and spinster identity made her both suspicious and relatable.

Why Netflix Chose Borden Next

Lizzie Borden brings a fresh angle to the Monster anthology, a female suspect, a Victorian-era setting, and a case that still sparks debate. Unlike Dahmer or Gein, Lizzie was never convicted, which adds an unsettling legal gray area.

With public obsession around morally ambiguous true stories growing, especially on TikTok and streaming platforms, it’s no surprise Netflix jumped at the chance. It fits right in with Monster’s goal of reexamining cultural myths.

And if you love chilling stories rooted in real events, you might also enjoy these powerful movies based on true stories.

What’s Next for Fans Awaiting Season

Fans won’t have to wait long; Monster Season 3, centered on Ed Gein, is expected by late 2025. Season 4, focused on Lizzie Borden, will begin filming in L.A. soon after, likely premiering in 2026 or early 2027. Netflix may even drop behind-the-scenes previews to keep buzz alive.

While you wait, check out the best Ana de Armas movies to watch now. Which Monster season has been your favorite so far? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.