Is Charlie Hunnam in ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’? Discover His New Role

Fans eager to learn about Charlie Hunnam’s latest project can finally rejoice, as it involves an axe, a wealthy New England family, and one of America’s most infamous unsolved crimes. The actor has officially rejoined Ryan Murphy’s true crime universe, this time swapping Wisconsin farmland for the setting of 1892 Massachusetts.

Indeed, Charlie Hunnam is part of the cast in ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’, and his role places him directly in the heart of the tragedy rather than on the periphery. Here’s everything confirmed about his casting, character, and how this performance stacks up against his previous role in the franchise.

Charlie Hunnam plays Andrew Borden in Netflix’s ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story,’ which premiered on September 17, 2026. He joins a talented cast that features Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden, Billie Lourd as Emma Borden, and Sarah Paulson in another role within the anthology. This series marks the fourth installment of the anthology created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan.

Hunnam portrays Andrew Borden alongside Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden, with Ella Beatty taking on the role of Lizzie, the woman accused of wielding the infamous axe. Netflix has released first-look photos ahead of the premiere, showcasing Hunnam and Hall in character as the ill-fated parents.

This isn’t Hunnam’s first appearance in the ‘Monster’ franchise. He previously starred as the titular killer in ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story,’ and this new season sees him transition from the lead monster to the victim, marking a significant shift in his portrayal.

Ella Beatty plays Lizzie Borden, the anthology’s first female lead, portraying the accused ax murderer who was tried and acquitted for the brutal 1892 murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts. Vicky Krieps plays Bridget Sullivan, the Irish live-in maid known as Maggie, who became a crucial witness during the trial.

Hunnam’s character, Andrew Borden, was one of the two victims found in the family’s Fall River home in August 1892, with Hall’s Abby Borden being the second. Hunnam’s portrayal of Andrew depicts him as an abusive and manipulative figure within the household.

The season’s official synopsis describes a repressed daughter from a wealthy New England family and her rebellious maid, trapped in a house built on humiliation and cruelty, escaping into a fantasy of sex, power, and revenge. This framing positions Hunnam’s Andrew Borden as the source of the household’s oppressive atmosphere rather than a sympathetic character.

This adaptation is far from the first screen portrayal of the case, following earlier versions like the 1975 TV movie ‘The Legend of Lizzie Borden,’ Lifetime’s 2014 ‘Lizzie Borden Took an Ax,’ and the 2018 film ‘Lizzie’ starring Chloe Sevigny. What distinguishes Murphy’s version is its deeper exploration of the relationship dynamics within the Borden household.

Hunnam has openly discussed how he perceives his two ‘Monster’ characters differently. He described Ed Gein as a deeply disturbed individual who engaged in a prolonged period of genuine depravity, labeling those actions as truly heinous.

In contrast, Hunnam suggested that if Lizzie Borden was indeed responsible for the murders, which was never conclusively proven and for which she was acquitted, it would represent a more understandable crime of passion. He noted the oppressive environment created by a cold and distant father, coupled with a resentful stepmother.

Hunnam concluded that jealousy and resentment within the Borden home led to a crime of passion, where a seemingly gentle young woman ultimately snapped and brutally killed both of her parents. This perspective adds a striking layer of empathy for a man portraying the actual murder victim.

The series also delves into speculation regarding Lizzie’s relationship with Bridget Sullivan, adding depth to Lizzie’s narrative that previous adaptations have not explored as thoroughly. Hunnam’s Andrew is depicted as the central oppressive force against this backdrop.

The ‘Monster’ anthology began with ‘The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’ in September 2022, followed by ‘The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ in September 2024, ‘The Ed Gein Story’ in October 2025, and now ‘The Lizzie Borden Story’ in September 2026. Each season has tackled a different notorious figure from American criminal history under Murphy’s anthology format.

Netflix confirmed that the new season launched on the platform on September 17. The cast and creative team celebrated the release with a red carpet premiere in New York.

Ella Beatty, Vicky Krieps, Charlie Hunnam, Billie Lourd, Jessica Barden, Joey Pollari, and Oliver Spenceman all walked the carpet at the Paris Theatre for the series premiere, alongside franchise creator Ryan Murphy, showrunner Ian Brennan, and director Max Winkler. The event highlighted the continuity the franchise has established across its four seasons.

With his empathetic view of Lizzie’s alleged motives and his own role as her doomed father, Hunnam has made this season feel personal in a way that his previous ‘Monster’ arc did not quite achieve. What do you think about Charlie Hunnam’s transition from killer to victim within the same true crime universe, and does his interpretation of Andrew Borden’s household alter your perception of Lizzie’s story?