‘Monster’ Season 4 Begins Filming: Ella Beatty to Play Lizzie Borden, Charlie Hunnam Returns

‘Monster’ Season 4 has officially started filming in Los Angeles, with Ella Beatty stepping into the role of infamous 19th-century figure Lizzie Borden. Charlie Hunnam, who starred in Season 3 as serial killer Ed Gein, is also returning for the next installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s hit Netflix true-crime anthology.

The announcement comes just days after Monster: The Ed Gein Story debuted on Netflix, where it quickly rose to the platform’s Top 10 with over 12 million views in its first three days. The new season will mark a significant shift for the franchise, introducing its first female “monster.”

Netflix’s ‘Monster’ Season 4 Storyline and Cast

Season 4 of Monster will retell the chilling real-life case of Lizzie Borden, the woman famously accused and acquitted of the 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts. The case, one of the most sensational trials in U.S. history, has inspired countless adaptations on screen, including Lifetime’s Lizzie Borden Took an Ax and 2018’s Lizzie starring Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart.

Ella Beatty, known for Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, takes on the title role of Lizzie Borden. Charlie Hunnam will portray Andrew Borden, Lizzie’s father. The supporting cast includes Vicky Krieps as Bridget Sullivan, Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden, Billie Lourd as Emma Borden, and Jessica Barden as Nance O’Neill. Max Winkler, who also directed episodes of Monster: The Ed Gein Story, will helm the season’s premiere episode.

According to early production reports, filming began in early October 2025 and will continue through the end of the year in and around Los Angeles. The new season continues Netflix’s commitment to high-profile, prestige-level true-crime storytelling.

Ryan Murphy Expands the Monster Anthology Legacy

Ryan Murphy’s Monster anthology has become one of Netflix’s most-watched and controversial series. The franchise began with Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story in 2022, followed by Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and Monster: The Ed Gein Story in 2025.

While the earlier seasons drew both praise and criticism for dramatizing the lives of notorious criminals, Murphy and co-creator Ian Brennan have emphasized that the series aims to explore the psychological and societal conditions behind each case, not glorify the crimes.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Hunnam said, “I never felt like we were sensationalizing it. It was about understanding how and why these people did what they did. The intent has always been honesty, not exploitation.”

What Fans Can Expect From ‘Monster’ Season 4

Netflix has not yet announced a release date for Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, but production insiders suggest it could premiere in late 2026. Fans can expect the show to follow the same intense, psychologically driven narrative style as previous installments.

Season 4’s focus on a female “monster” marks a major turning point for the anthology. Lizzie Borden’s case not only captured 19th-century America’s fascination with murder but also challenged gender norms, media bias, and justice in an era that rarely saw women tried for such crimes.

With Ella Beatty’s rising star power and Charlie Hunnam’s return, ‘Monster’ Season 4 is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s most anticipated releases yet.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who plays Lizzie Borden in ‘Monster’ Season 4?

Ella Beatty stars as Lizzie Borden in Netflix’s upcoming season of Monster.

Q2: Is Charlie Hunnam returning to ‘Monster’?

Yes, Charlie Hunnam returns to the series after playing Ed Gein in Season 3.

Q3: When will ‘Monster’ Season 4 be released on Netflix?

Netflix has not confirmed a release date, but it’s expected in late 2026.

Q4: Who created the ‘Monster’ anthology series?

The series was created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, known for their work on Glee and American Horror Story.

Q5: What was the focus of ‘Monster’ Season 3?

Season 3 focused on Ed Gein, a murderer infamous for his gruesome crimes in the 1950s.