Netflix's 'Monsters' explores Lizzie Borden mystery in first female-focused season

American actress Ella Beatty is set to star as Lizzie Borden in the debut female-focused season of Netflix’s anthology TV series "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story." The production marks a new chapter for the crime drama, as creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan aim to explore the tale of a woman accused of murder. The series delves into notorious American homicide cases, with each season focusing on a different killer, such as Jeffrey Dahmer, Ed Gein, and Lyle and Erik Menendez.

"Lizzie Borden" follows the trial and acquittal of Borden for the 1892 ax-murders of her father, Andrew Borden, played by Charlie Hunnam, and her stepmother, Abby Borden, portrayed by Rebecca Hall. Despite her acquittal, the mystery surrounding the Borden case persists, with the famous nursery rhyme cementing her place in American folklore.

Rebecca Hall, who plays Abby Borden, expressed her fascination with Lizzie Borden's role as a "mythological figure" in American history, unaware that she was never convicted. Max Winkler, the show's director, explored the societal limitations placed on women during the 1890s, highlighting that Lizzie couldn't marry or find a suitable partner. This frustration and disappointment can be seen as a potential catalyst for female rage and violent acts.

Winkler emphasized that the show does not depict individuals as inherently evil, but rather examines the pressures that can lead people to commit violent acts. He stressed that anyone can snap and kill, and the show aims to showcase the diverse nature of killers.