Netflix’s Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story Cast Is Drawing Attention
The cast of Netflix’s Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is attracting renewed attention following the series premiere on September 17, 2026.
The fourth installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s Monster anthology puts Ella Beatty in the lead role of Lizzie Borden, the Massachusetts woman whose 1892 case became one of the most famous mysteries in American true crime history.
The series is now streaming on Netflix, giving viewers a reason to look up the actors behind the historical figures — and some characters who are connected to the story beyond the original Borden household.
Who Plays Lizzie Borden?
Ella Beatty plays Lizzie Borden, the central character of the series.
Beatty is known for Feud: Capote vs. The Swans and her Broadway work. Netflix describes her performance as a portrayal of Lizzie as a young woman constrained by her circumstances and increasingly consumed by anger and frustration.
The role also marks an important new television lead for Beatty. She is the daughter of actors Warren Beatty and Annette Bening.
Charlie Hunnam Plays Andrew Borden
Charlie Hunnam portrays Andrew Borden, Lizzie’s father.
Hunnam previously appeared in the Monster universe in Monster: The Ed Gein Story. He is also widely known for Sons of Anarchy and films including The Gentlemen.
In the new series, Andrew is part of the Borden family household at the center of the story. Netflix lists Hunnam among the principal cast.
Rebecca Hall Plays Abby Borden
Rebecca Hall plays Abby Borden, Lizzie’s stepmother.
Hall’s previous credits include Christine, Passing and The Prestige. Her character is portrayed within the tense Victorian-era Borden household that forms the foundation of the Netflix drama.
The series uses the family’s relationships and domestic tensions as part of its dramatic interpretation of the events surrounding the murders.
Vicky Krieps Plays Bridget Sullivan
Vicky Krieps portrays Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, the Borden family’s live-in maid.
Sullivan was a real historical figure who was working in the Borden household when Andrew and Abby Borden were killed in August 1892. Her testimony later became part of the case against Lizzie.
The Netflix series gives the character a particularly prominent role and places her relationship with Lizzie at the center of parts of the story. However, viewers should keep in mind that the show is a dramatization rather than a documentary.
Billie Lourd Plays Emma Borden
Billie Lourd plays Emma Borden, Lizzie’s older sister.
Lourd is known for roles in American Horror Story and The Last Showgirl. Netflix’s official cast information confirms her role as Emma.
Emma’s relationship with Lizzie is an important part of the broader Borden family story.
Jessica Barden Plays Nance O’Neil
Jessica Barden portrays Nance O’Neil, an actor and friend of Lizzie.
Barden is known for The End of the F**ing World* and Dune: Prophecy. Netflix lists O’Neil among the significant characters in the series.
The character becomes particularly relevant to the show’s depiction of Lizzie’s life after the infamous 1892 murders.
Sarah Paulson Plays Aileen Wuornos
One of the more unexpected names in the cast is Sarah Paulson, who plays notorious serial killer Aileen Wuornos.
Wuornos was not part of the historical Borden case. Instead, her appearance connects the Lizzie Borden story to the broader themes and later timeline explored by the Monster anthology.
Netflix explains that Wuornos appears in scenes set decades after the original Borden events, with Lizzie’s influence carried forward into another era of true crime.
Why Is the Lizzie Borden Cast Trending Now?
The immediate reason is the Netflix premiere.
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story began streaming on September 17, 2026, making the cast newly relevant to viewers searching for the actors behind the characters. Netflix’s official site lists Ella Beatty, Vicky Krieps, Charlie Hunnam, Rebecca Hall, Jessica Barden, Joey Pollari, Billie Lourd and Sarah Paulson among the cast.
The renewed interest also comes from the unusual combination of historical true crime and a contemporary television ensemble. The show isn’t simply recreating the 1892 case; it expands the story across different periods and incorporates other figures into its narrative.
The Real Lizzie Borden Case
Lizzie Borden was accused of killing her father, Andrew Borden, and stepmother, Abby Borden, in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1892.
She was later tried for the killings and acquitted in 1893. The case has remained the subject of books, documentaries, films and television productions for more than a century.
Netflix’s series dramatizes that history rather than presenting every element as established fact. Some relationships, conversations and character developments are presented for dramatic purposes, so viewers should distinguish the show’s storytelling from the historical record.
Who Is in Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story?
The principal cast includes:
- Ella Beatty — Lizzie Borden
- Vicky Krieps — Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan
- Charlie Hunnam — Andrew Borden
- Rebecca Hall — Abby Borden
- Billie Lourd — Emma Borden
- Jessica Barden — Nance O’Neil
- Sarah Paulson — Aileen Wuornos
- Joey Pollari — John Morse
With the series now available on Netflix, searches for the Lizzie Borden cast are likely to remain tied to viewers trying to identify the actors behind the historical figures and understand how the new Monster season connects its characters across different time periods.
FAQs
1. Who plays Lizzie Borden in Netflix’s Monster?
Ella Beatty plays Lizzie Borden in Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story.
2. Who plays Andrew Borden?
Charlie Hunnam plays Andrew Borden, Lizzie’s father.
3. Who plays Abby Borden?
Rebecca Hall portrays Abby Borden, Lizzie’s stepmother.
4. Who plays Bridget Sullivan?
Vicky Krieps plays Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, the Borden family’s maid.
5. Who does Sarah Paulson play in Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story?
Sarah Paulson plays Aileen Wuornos in the portions of the story set decades after the original Borden events.
