The Next Chapter Of Horror: Everything We Know About Monster TV Show Seasons 3 And 4 (Ed Gein And Lizzie Borden)

The "Monster" TV show, the true-crime anthology series from creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, has become one of the most talked-about and controversial hits on Netflix. As of December 2025, the series is not only moving past the recent, highly debated Season 2, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, but is already deep into production and planning for two future installments: Season 3, focusing on the infamous serial killer Ed Gein, and Season 4, which will tackle the historical murder case of Lizzie Borden. This is your definitive, up-to-the-minute guide on the casting, release dates, and shocking new directions for the next two seasons of the streaming giant's biggest true-crime franchise.

Following the massive global success of the first season, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Netflix greenlit two more installments to continue the exploration of notorious figures who have fundamentally shaped American horror and true-crime culture. The series aims to delve into the lives of these "monsters" from the perspective of their victims and the systemic failures that allowed them to operate, though this approach has not been without significant controversy.

The Monster Anthology Series: A Complete Profile and Timeline

The "Monster" TV show is officially titled the Monster anthology series, with each season focusing on a different notorious figure or case in American history. The creators, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, have been criticized for their sensationalist approach, but the show’s undeniable popularity has secured its place as a cornerstone of Netflix’s original content slate. The following is a breakdown of the key seasons and their respective timelines:

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• Season 1: Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022)
  • Subject: Jeffrey Dahmer, the "Milwaukee Cannibal."
  • Starring: Evan Peters (as Jeffrey Dahmer), Niecy Nash (as Glenda Cleveland).
  • Reception: Broke Netflix viewing records but faced backlash from victims' families and critics over its graphic content and perceived exploitation.
• Season 2: Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (2024)
  • Subject: Lyle and Erik Menendez, who murdered their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in 1989.
  • Starring: Nicholas Alexander Chavez (as Lyle Menendez) and Cooper Koch (as Erik Menendez).
  • Reception: Premiered on September 19, 2024, and was met with immediate controversy. Critics and audiences debated its sympathetic portrayal of the brothers, with some arguing it inaccurately minimized their culpability and amplified the narrative of parental abuse.
• Season 3: Monster: The Ed Gein Story (2025)
  • Subject: Ed Gein, the "Butcher of Plainfield," a Wisconsin murderer and body snatcher whose crimes inspired Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
  • Release Date: Confirmed for October 3, 2025.
  • Starring: Charlie Hunnam (as Ed Gein).
• Season 4: Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story (Expected 2026)
  • Subject: Lizzie Borden, accused and acquitted of the 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother.
  • Starring: Ella Beatty (as Lizzie Borden).
  • Status: Production is underway as of late 2025.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story – The 2025 Season Details

The highly anticipated third installment shifts focus from the controversial Menendez brothers to one of America's most chilling and influential true-crime figures: Ed Gein. Gein’s crimes in the 1950s were so bizarre and grotesque that they formed the foundation for the modern horror genre. This season is titled Monster: The Ed Gein Story and is scheduled for an October 3, 2025 release, perfectly timed for the spooky season.

Charlie Hunnam Leads an All-Star Cast

The casting for the Ed Gein season is already generating significant buzz, particularly the choice of actor Charlie Hunnam for the titular role. Hunnam, known for his work in Sons of Anarchy and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, is set to portray the Wisconsin killer who was arrested in 1957 for the murder of local hardware store owner Bernice Worden.

The full cast list reveals a deep bench of talent, suggesting a strong focus on the supporting characters and Gein’s disturbing family life:

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• Charlie Hunnam as Ed Gein (The serial killer and body snatcher).
• Laurie Metcalf as Augusta Gein (Ed's fanatically religious and controlling mother).
• Suzanna Son as Adeline Watkins (A key character likely based on a local figure or victim).
• Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock (A fascinating addition, referencing the director whose film Psycho was heavily inspired by Gein's case).
• Addison Rae in an unconfirmed role (The social media star's involvement marks another notable casting choice by Murphy).

The plot is expected to explore Gein’s isolated upbringing, his obsession with his deceased mother, Augusta Gein, and the horrific discovery of his farmhouse, which contained macabre artifacts made from human remains. Given the source material, this season is poised to be the darkest and most psychologically disturbing entry in the Monster anthology yet, focusing on the pathology of a man who blurred the lines between murder, grave robbing, and cannibalism.

Controversy and Critical Response to the Menendez Story

The second season, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, premiered in September 2024 and reignited the decades-old public debate surrounding the Menendez case. While the first season focused on the victim perspective (Glenda Cleveland), the second season pivoted to a more sympathetic portrayal of the brothers, Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were convicted of the 1989 parricide of their wealthy parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.

The show’s narrative emphasized the brothers’ claims of long-term sexual and emotional abuse by their father, Jose, a key element of their defense that ultimately failed to sway the jury in their second trial. This narrative choice drew a sharp, critical response.

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• The Backlash: Critics argued the show was an "inaccurate portrayal" and generated undue sympathy for the killers, particularly given that the Menendez family and the brothers themselves did not consent to the production.
• The Narrative Debate: The series fueled a social media trend that re-examined the case through a modern lens of trauma and abuse, with many viewers arguing the brothers were victims themselves. This polarized reaction is a characteristic of Ryan Murphy’s true-crime projects, which often prioritize sensationalism and emotional complexity over strict factual consensus.

The intense discussion surrounding the Menendez season highlights the core tension of the Monster series: its ability to both captivate a massive audience and generate serious ethical scrutiny regarding the dramatization of real-life tragedy. This controversy sets a high bar for the upcoming Ed Gein and Lizzie Borden seasons.

Looking Ahead: Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story (Season 4)

Netflix and the creative team are already laying the groundwork for Season 4, which will focus on another historical figure whose guilt remains a subject of intense speculation: Lizzie Borden. The season is titled Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story and marks the series' first exploration of a purported female "monster."

Lizzie Borden was tried and acquitted for the 1892 axe murders of her father, Andrew Borden, and her stepmother, Abby Borden, in Fall River, Massachusetts. The case is famous for the popular rhyme: “Lizzie Borden took an axe / And gave her mother forty whacks; / When she saw what she had done / She gave her father forty-one.”

Key Casting for the 2026 Season

The show's producers have already announced the lead and several supporting actors, indicating that production is well underway, likely targeting a 2026 release date:

• Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden (The lead role, portraying the woman at the center of the infamous trial).
• Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden (In a surprise move, the Ed Gein actor will return for a different role, playing Lizzie's murdered father).
• Billie Lourd in an unconfirmed role (The American Horror Story veteran is a frequent collaborator with Ryan Murphy and is confirmed to be part of the cast).
• Vicky Krieps as Bridget Sullivan (The Borden family’s maid and the only other person in the house at the time of the murders).

By tackling the Lizzie Borden case, the Monster anthology will shift its focus from documented serial killers to a case of circumstantial evidence and public perception. The narrative is expected to explore the social constraints placed on women in the late 19th century, the intense media scrutiny of the time, and the question of whether Borden was a cold-blooded killer or a victim of a flawed justice system. The casting of Charlie Hunnam as the victim, Andrew Borden, further cements the show's tradition of utilizing a rotating repertory of actors across its different true-crime narratives.