Meet Ella Beatty, the Rising Actress Leading the Cast of 'Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story'
Our take
The arrival of Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden in Netflix’s *Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story* anthology series feels like a particularly resonant moment, not just for her career, but for the evolving landscape of true-crime adaptation. While the anthology format itself isn't new – see Ryan Murphy’s *American Crime Story* series, which has tackled cases like the OJ Simpson trial American Crime Story – the specific choice to focus on lesser-known or historically marginalized figures, like Lizzie Borden, alongside the increasing scrutiny of the genre’s sensationalism, positions *Monster* as something of a corrective. Beatty’s casting, her first major leading TV role, signals a shift towards performers who embody a quiet intensity and nuanced understanding of complex characters – a quality that aligns beautifully with the quiet luxury aesthetic we champion. The series' previous installment, exploring the Ed Gein case Monster: The Ed Gein Story, demonstrated a commitment to exploring the psychological depths of these stories, and Beatty’s portrayal promises to build on that foundation.
The true-crime genre has undeniably become saturated, often prioritizing shock value and explicit detail over thoughtful exploration of the human condition. This saturation has led to a growing backlash, with critics questioning the ethics of exploiting trauma for entertainment. *Monster’s* approach, seemingly prioritizing psychological complexity and atmosphere over graphic depictions, feels like a deliberate response to this criticism. Beatty, known for her work in independent films, possesses a natural subtlety that’s perfect for embodying a character shrouded in mystery and societal judgment. The Lizzie Borden case, inherently fascinating for its ambiguity and the enduring questions surrounding Lizzie's guilt, demands an actress capable of conveying both vulnerability and unsettling composure – qualities that suggest Beatty will excel. Furthermore, the series’ move to Netflix provides a wider audience reach, potentially broadening the conversation around true-crime storytelling and demanding a more sophisticated and nuanced approach.
What’s particularly compelling is the opportunity Beatty has to redefine the public perception of Lizzie Borden. The character has been romanticized, demonized, and endlessly debated, often through a lens of sensationalism. Beatty’s portrayal, within the context of *Monster’s* measured approach, could offer a more humanizing perspective – one that explores the societal pressures and personal complexities that might have contributed to the events of that fateful August day in 1892. It’s a challenge that requires more than just mimicking historical accounts; it requires a deep understanding of the character's potential motivations and the cultural context of the time. The series' previous adaptation of the Menendez brothers’ case Erik Menendez Responds provides a useful precedent for the thoughtful exploration of complex narratives.
Ultimately, Ella Beatty’s rise to prominence through this role highlights a broader trend: audiences are increasingly seeking authentic, emotionally resonant storytelling, even within genre spaces like true crime. The demand for nuanced performances and narratives that prioritize psychological depth over sensationalism is growing, and Beatty's casting feels like a sign of this shift. As *Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story* prepares to premiere, the question becomes: will this series, and Beatty’s performance within it, succeed in redefining the true-crime genre, moving beyond the spectacle to offer a more profound exploration of the human psyche and the complexities of historical narratives?
Monster, Netflix's anthology series that retells and dramatizes headline-grabbing murders, returns for a fourth season on September 18, 2026, and will center on a female killer for the first time. The tale of Lizzie Borden, who was accused—and acquitted—of killing her father and stepmother in 1892 in Massachusetts, has been referenced and recreated many times in history, from folk rhymes to radio shows and now television.
Relative newcomer Ella Beatty will step into Borden’s shoes in her second-ever TV role, after appearing in a supporting capacity on another Ryan Murphy-helmed series, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans. Beatty told The TODAY Show that she had “been a fan of the show before." She added, "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.” Ahead, get to know Beatty as you tune into Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story.
Everything to Know About 'Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story' Star Ella Beatty
Beatty grew up surrounded by Hollywood as the daughter of actors Annette Bening and Warren Beatty.
Ella Beatty was born in 2000, the youngest of the four children of iconic Hollywood couple Annette Bening and Warren Beatty, and the niece of actress Shirley MacLaine. She told The TODAY Show that her famous parents have given her a lot of acting advice over the years, but “listen” is the best tidbit yet. “What the other person is doing is always more interesting than what you could create,” she recounted to the daytime talk show hosts.
In an Interview Magazine interview, Beatty said she never considered changing her name, though she understands why others feel the pressure to do so. “I do feel a kind of responsibility towards an artistic legacy that I don’t feel ashamed of. I would hope that my work would be powerful enough to offer something specific. I’d hope that my work would be enough to make me separate, but I also understand why people do that,” she said.
She always wanted to be an actor.
Beatty reveals in Interview Magazine that she never acted professionally until after she graduated from school, but playing make-believe “was who I was before I knew it was going to be my profession.” She added, “Playing pretend, make-believe, that was the way that I contextualized the world. I think there was a part of me that thought everybody did that. When your friends come over, doesn’t everybody want to play make-believe?”
Beatty is best friends with her 'Monster' co-star Sarah Paulson.
Beatty attended The Juilliard School for drama and began her career on Broadway in 2024 in the play Appropriate. The star-studded ensemble also featured actors like Corey Stoll and Sarah Paulson—Beatty's future Monster co-star.
Beatty calls Paulson “one of my very best friends in the world” and says they “kind of fell in love immediately” after their experience together on Broadway. Paulson has reiterated that fact, mentioning in their Interview Magazine conversation that they fell in love “in a way that was incredibly real and powerful and magical.”
In that same interview, Paulson admitted that Beatty’s "nepo baby status" was not common knowledge when they met. “I had no idea who your parents were,” Paulson said to Beatty during their Zoom call. “My interest in you, my estimation of you as a performer, had nothing to do with that.” On The TODAY Show, Beatty also revealed that they call each other every 15 minutes and that she often goes to Paulson for advice.
She also starred opposite Hugh Jackman in a theater two-hander.
After wrapping her role on Appropriate, Beatty appeared in the play Ghosts before joining Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes, which starred Hugh Jackman and ran twice in 2025 and 2026. She told Interview Magazine in 2025, “The closer we get to each other and the more familiar we become, I have thought about how important it is to maintain a certain amount of that awe that I have for him as a performer, because it’s in the play.”
Next, she’ll co-star in the film adaptation of 'The Bell Jar.'
Helmed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Sarah Polley, Beatty will star as Joan in the adaptation of Sylvia Plath's seminal novel The Bell Jar opposite Billie Eilish, Carey Mulligan, and Connor Storrie. She told The TODAY Show hosts that she “loved the book growing up” and that being part of the cast is “a dream come true.”
Production wrapped on the film in September 2026, but it does not yet have a release date.
Read on the original site
Open the publisher's page for the full experience