Ella Beatty’s fierce new role as Lizzie Borden shocks Netflix fans.

Ella Beatty, the youngest child of Academy Award winners Annette Bening and Warren Beatty, will play the infamous 19th‑century murder suspect in Netflix’s upcoming season of *Monster*. The series, titled *Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story*, is set to stream on Thursday, September 17.

Beatty’s debut as the title character marks her first major solo role after a career that began with stage work and supporting television parts.

The show revisits the 1892 hatchet‑attack that left the Borden family dead and the subsequent trial in which Lizzie was acquitted by an all‑male jury. By stepping into this historic role, Beatty joins a lineage of actors who have tackled true‑crime dramas, but she is the first in her family to headline a Netflix original.

The narrative follows Lizzie’s early life, the accusations against her, and the lasting myth that has surrounded the case for over a century.

Beatty was born in April 2000 in Los Angeles, growing up amid Hollywood’s golden age. She is also the niece of actress Shirley MacLaine, adding another layer of star power to her lineage.

Despite her privileged background, she has said she “totally acknowledge[s] that there is an inherent privilege and exposure that comes from having well‑known actors as parents,” expressing a desire to bring something meaningful to the screen.

## Background & Context

Raised on film sets and dressing rooms, Beatty felt the pull of acting from a very early age. “I have no other context for the world,” she told an interview in 2024, reflecting on how her parents shaped her view of art and life.

She spent time in community theater, performing in productions of *Annie*, *The Lion King*, and *The Little Mermaid*. Her formal training led her to The Juilliard School in New York, where she studied under instructors such as Moni Yakim.

Beatty graduated in 2022 and quickly secured a television role as Kerry O’Shea in FX’s anthology *Feud: Capote v The Swans*. She described the series’ themes—kindness, friendship, loyalty, and chosen family—as resonant with her personal values.

On Broadway, she debuted in Brandon Jacobs‑Jenkins’ play *Appropriate*, stepping in for  Fanning.

It was there that she met Sarah Paulson; Paulson later told Beatty in a Zoom interview that her interest in the young actress “had nothing to do with that.” The friendship continued when Beatty returned to theater in 2025 to play Regina Engstrom in Ibsen’s *Ghosts* and appeared on screen in the A24 comedy‑drama *If I Had Legs I'd Kick You*, starring Rose Byrne.

## The Story of Lizzie Borden – From Fact to Film

The 1892 Borden murder case has become an enduring part of American folklore, partly because of the sensational media coverage and the striking absence of a clear culprit. The story has inspired countless books, films, and even stage productions that examine themes of domestic violence, female agency, and societal paranoia.

Early portrayals in the 1970s and 80s leaned heavily into melodrama, while more recent adaptations—such as the 2015 feature *Borden* starring Shailene Woodley—have attempted to humanize the woman at its center.

Netflix’s *Monster* franchise has built a reputation for blending gritty realism with deep psychological exploration, and *The Lizzie Borden Story* promises to follow that formula.

By situating the narrative in the 1890s, the series will need to navigate period-specific fashion, dialect, and social mores while also confronting contemporary viewers’ sensibilities about gender roles and justice.

## Fan Reaction: A New Generation of Curiosity

When Netflix teased Beatty’s casting on its Tudum platform, fan forums erupted with speculation. On Reddit’s r/TrueCrime subreddit, comments ranged from “Can’t wait to see how she pulls the role!” to “She’s got the right look—tiny, dark eyes.” Twitter users used the hashtag #LizzieBeatty, quickly trending for several hours.

Many fans praised Beatty for her “fresh face” and her promise of authenticity over star‑powered gimmicks.

social media buzz has highlighted a broader trend: younger audiences are seeking more nuanced portrayals of historical figures rather than one‑dimensional villains or heroes. Beatty’s background in method acting and her public statements about wanting to “the psychology of a complicated person” resonate with this audience desire.

## Industry Impact: A Strategic Expansion for Netflix

Netflix’s *Monster* series has already proven to be a commercial juggernaut. Its first season, *The Jeffrey Dahmer Story*, pulled in 196.2 million hours watched in the first five days, becoming the most‑watched English‑language series on the platform.

Subsequent seasons—*The Mendez Brothers* and *The Ed Gein Story*—continued to draw strong viewership numbers, with the latter debuting at No 1 on weekly charts. Beatty’s participation adds another high‑profile name to the franchise’s roster of celebrated performers.

From a strategic standpoint, casting an emerging star from a Hollywood legacy family signals Netflix’s willingness to blend fresh talent with established pedigree. It also positions the series to capture both traditional true‑crime aficionados and fans of contemporary indie drama.

The platform’s data analytics team has reportedly flagged *Monster* as a “growth engine” for subscriber retention, especially in markets where period dramas have historically underperformed.

Beatty’s move into a lead role aligns with industry shifts toward more inclusive casting and nuanced gender representation. By portraying a woman who defies the expectations of her era, Beatty and the creative team are contributing to a broader conversation about female agency in historical narratives.

## What People Are Saying

Beatty expressed excitement about portraying Lizzie Borden, saying on Netflix’s Tudum platform in August: “I am so excited for viewers to experience our exploration of Lizzie Borden’s story and the questions that her life animates to this day.” She added that investigating the psychology of a “complicated person” and examining an American crime “feels almost mythic in proportion.”

When asked about working with Paulson again, Beatty called her “one of my very best friends in the world” and described the reunion as “very special.” The co‑creator, Ian Brennan, echoed Beatty’s enthusiasm, stating that she “can have a real blank slate of a face” and that her “innocence” matched the scarce photographic evidence of Lizzie Borden.

Brennan noted that Beatty’s inscrutability was what made her an ideal fit for the role.

Beatty’s talent has already attracted industry attention. In late July, she was named one of 10 Rising Stars to Watch, a recognition that underscores her rapid ascent from stage to screen.

Critics who previewed the series’ pilot episode praised her performance as “captivating” and “unsettling,” noting that she brings a “subtle intensity” that keeps audiences guessing.

## What Happens Next

The new season will stream on September 17, following the release schedule that has kept audiences engaged throughout 2024. Beatty’s next professional commitment is a role in the film adaptation of *The Bell Jar*, directed by Sarah Polley and starring Billie Eilish.

The project signals her continued transition from television to feature films, further expanding her artistic reach.

As Beatty steps into the spotlight as Lizzie Borden, industry observers will be watching closely to see how she navigates a complex historical figure and whether her performance will live up to the legacy of the series’ prior acclaimed portrayals.

The coming weeks will reveal both her impact on the Netflix platform and her evolving career trajectory within Hollywood’s evolving landscape.