Ryan Murphy has set his sights on one of America’s most notorious alleged killers for the next installment of his hit Netflix series.
Monster Season 4 will focus on Lizzie Borden, the Massachusetts woman who became infamous for the brutal axe murders of her father and stepmother in 1892, according to a new report.
The announcement comes as Murphy continues to expand his true crime anthology series. Each season tackles a different high-profile criminal case that captivated the public.
Borden was accused of killing her wealthy father Andrew and stepmother Abby with an axe at their Fall River, Massachusetts home on August 4, 1892.
She was acquitted after a highly publicized trial that gripped the nation. The case inspired the famous children’s rhyme: “Lizzie Borden took an axe, and gave her mother forty whacks.”
The murders shocked Victorian society. A well-educated woman from a prominent family had never been accused of such violence.
Netflix hasn’t officially confirmed the Borden season yet. The streaming service typically announces new Monster seasons closer to production dates.
The series has become one of Netflix’s most successful true crime offerings. Previous seasons covered Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers.
Murphy’s approach focuses on the psychological aspects of each case. He examines what drives people to commit heinous crimes.
“We want to tell stories that people think they know, but show them from angles they haven’t seen before,”
Murphy said in a previous interview about the series.
The Borden case offers plenty of material for that approach. Questions about her guilt or innocence persist more than 130 years later.
Historians and amateur sleuths continue debating whether Borden actually committed the murders. Some theories suggest other family members or strangers could have been responsible.
The case also highlights issues of gender and class in late 19th century America. Borden’s social status likely influenced her acquittal.
Production details for the Borden season haven’t been revealed. Casting announcements and filming schedules typically follow official confirmations.
Murphy usually works with a rotating cast of actors across his various Netflix projects. The Monster series has featured both established stars and newcomer performers.
The show’s success has helped Murphy secure a massive overall deal with Netflix worth hundreds of millions of dollars.