Netflix’s Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story cast and what they look like in real life
Netflix’s Monster anthology returns with The Lizzie Borden Story, the fourth instalment in the acclaimed true-crime series.
All eight episodes are now available to watch on the streaming platform, and this time viewers get to delve into the notorious case of Lizzie Borden and the events surrounding her family’s brutal deaths.
One of the most striking aspects of the new series is just how different some of its cast members look.
Historic period costumes, elaborate wigs, facial hair, and carefully applied make-up transform several familiar faces, making some actors almost unrecognisable from their previous roles.
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With such impressively dramatic transformations, it can be difficult to keep track of who is playing what character, so here’s a guide to the actors and what they actually look like, whether you’re watching for the chilling story or the star-studded cast in the latest Ryan Murphy project.
Who is in the cast of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story?
The cast of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story includes:
- Ella Beatty – Lizzie Borden
- Vicky Krieps – Bridget ‘Maggie’ Sullivan and Countess Elizabeth Báthory
- Charlie Hunnam – Andrew Borden
- Rebecca Hall – Abby Borden
- Billie Lourd – Emma Borden
- Jessica Barden – Nance O’Neil
- Joey Pollari – John Morse
- Sarah Paulson – Aileen Wuornos
Krieps’ dual role is particularly impressive, with the actress playing Lizzie’s maid Bridget ‘Maggie’ Sullivan as well as the infamous Hungarian countess Elizabeth Báthory in fantasy flashbacks.
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story cast in character and real life
We’re going through the main cast of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, looking at how the actors appear in real life and the roles they take on in the series, alongside short biographies covering their previous work and where you might recognise them from.
This is the first time the Monster series has centred on a female serial killer.
Ella Beatty plays Lizzie Borden
Ella Beatty takes the lead as the terrifying Lizzie Borden in Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, marking her first major television leading role.
The period styling plays a big part in the 26-year-old's transformation, with elaborate Victorian clothing, carefully arranged hair and period make-up helping Beatty disappear into the role and making her look completely different. Beatty previously appeared in Ryan Murphy’s Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, as well as the film If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.
She has also been treading the boards, including for Broadway’s Appropriate.
Beatty is the daughter of actors Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, although she is now establishing a career of her own. The star told The TODAY Show about her excitement for the role as a fan of the show: "I knew that Ryan [Murphy] and Ian Brennan were interested in exploring female rage and repression, so I just felt really excited to take on the part.”
Vicky Krieps plays Bridget 'Maggie' Sullivan and Elizabeth Bathory
Taking on the challenge of the show’s unusual dual role is Vicky Krieps.
The 42-year-old Luxembourgish actor is perhaps best known for starring opposite Daniel Day-Lewis in Phantom Thread.
Other notable credits include Old, Corsage and The Girl in the Spider’s Web.
Ian Brennan said: "We knew that that would be at the end of the schedule anyway, and we just couldn’t think of who would do it or who seemed right.
"It was Ryan’s idea. He pitched it to her and she loved it. Now it seems like such an obvious choice, but it actually came very late in the process.”
Charlie Hunnam plays Andrew Borden
It's a return to Monster for Charlie Hunnam.
He plays Lizzie’s father, Andrew Borden, and was previously familiar to viewers for playing Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy, as well as roles in films including Pacific Rim, The Gentlemen and Crimson Peak.
However, many will recognise him for starring in the previous Monster instalment, The Ed Gein Story, playing the notorious killer Ed Gein.
Rebecca Hall plays Abby Borden
Rebecca Hall plays Abby Borden, Andrew Borden’s second wife and Lizzie and Emma’s stepmother.
Hall is known for a wide range of film roles, including The Prestige, The Town, Iron Man 3, Christine, The Night House and Passing.
She has also starred in Godzilla vs. Kong, making her a familiar face across both independent films and major Hollywood productions
Sarah Paulson plays Aileen Wuornos
One of the most terrifying characters is Aileen Wuornos, the convicted serial killer who appears in the series decades after Lizzie Borden’s story.
Paulson is a long-time Ryan Murphy collaborator, and is no stranger to a scary role.
She's best known for American Horror Story, Ratched and American Crime Story: The People v. O. J. Simpson, for which she won an Emmy for playing Marcia Clark.
Billie Lourd as Emma Borden
Billie Lourd plays Emma Borden, Lizzie’s older sister, who finds it easier to fit into her parents’ world than Lizzie does. Lourd is particularly recognisable from American Horror Story and Scream Queens, as well as the Star Wars sequel trilogy and Booksmart. She has also worked with Monster creator Ryan Murphy on several projects.
Jessica Barden as Nance O’Neil
Nance O’Neil is the touring stage actress who becomes a close friend and confidante of Lizzie’s ahead of her trial.
Barden is best known for The End of the F*ing World, and has also appeared in The Lobster, Tamara Drewe, Far from the Madding Crowd and Dune: Prophecy.
Joey Pollari as John Morse
Joey Pollari plays John Morse who was Lizzie’s uncle and the brother of her late mother.
He becomes a suspect in the murders after he moved into the Borden home, hoping to make some easy money.
Pollari is perhaps best known for playing Lyle in Love, Simon, with other credits including American Crime, SEAL Team and The Beauty.
Which cast members previously appeared in Netflix’s Monster?
Charlie Hunnan and Vicky Krieps both appeared in previous Monster roles.
Hunnam played Ed Gein in Monster: The Ed Gein Story, and Vicky Krieps played Ilse Koch in the series.
Koch, a Nazi war criminal, appears in Ed Gein’s fantasies and is portrayed as an influence on his fascination with human skin and bodies.
Topics: Netflix, TV, Celebrity, Entertainment
Jen Thomas