The Full Cast Of 'Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story' — And Where You've Seen Them Before

The true-crime anthology series is back, and as of late 2024, the highly-anticipated second installment, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has captivated audiences worldwide. Stepping away from the Dahmer case, this season dives deep into the complex and disturbing 1989 murders of José and Kitty Menendez by their sons, Lyle and Erik. Ryan Murphy's signature style brings a fresh, nuanced, and often controversial perspective to the infamous case, relying on a cast of both rising stars and Hollywood veterans to embody the real-life figures who shocked the nation. The casting choices for the Menendez family and the key players in the subsequent trial are central to the series' dramatic impact, with the actors tasked with portraying characters whose lives are etched into American legal history.

The success of any true-crime dramatization hinges on the authenticity and depth of its cast. For Monsters, the ensemble is meticulously chosen, featuring relative newcomers in the roles of the brothers and Oscar-caliber talent portraying their parents and the legal figures who defined the narrative. This article provides a comprehensive, up-to-date look at the full cast, their roles, and a detailed profile of the stars bringing the Menendez saga to life on Netflix today.

Meet the Menendez Family: Main Cast & Actor Biographies

The core of the series revolves around the four members of the Menendez family. The casting choices for Lyle and Erik, in particular, have drawn significant attention, as the young actors—Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch—are tasked with portraying the emotional and psychological turmoil of the brothers.

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Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle Menendez

Nicholas Alexander Chavez steps into the challenging role of Lyle Menendez, the elder of the two brothers. Lyle, who was 21 at the time of the murders, is often depicted as the more controlling and calculating of the pair. Chavez’s portrayal captures the intense pressure and hidden trauma that the defense argued led to the parricide.

• Full Name: Nicholas Alexander Chavez
• Date of Birth: September 6, 1999
• Place of Birth: Houston, Texas, USA
• Career Highlights: Chavez is best known to television audiences for his compelling work as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera General Hospital, a role he played from 2021 to 2024. His performance earned him a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series. Monsters marks a major breakout role for the young actor, transitioning him from daytime drama to a high-profile, critically-examined true-crime limited series.

Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez

Cooper Koch plays Erik Menendez, the younger brother, whose confession to his therapist ultimately led to the brothers’ arrest. Erik was 18 at the time of the murders. Koch’s performance focuses on the vulnerability, anxiety, and eventual breakdown that became a key component of the defense's narrative, emphasizing the alleged abuse the brothers suffered.

• Full Name: Cooper Joseph Koch
• Date of Birth: July 16, 1996
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Career Highlights: Koch is an emerging actor who studied acting at Pace School of Performing Arts in New York City. Before Monsters, he was known for roles in the horror genre, including the Blumhouse slasher film They/Them (2022) and the horror-thriller Swallowed (2022). His casting as Erik Menendez is his most high-profile role to date, showcasing his ability to handle complex, emotionally charged material.

Javier Bardem as José Menendez

Oscar-winner Javier Bardem takes on the role of José Menendez, the patriarch of the family and a successful entertainment executive. José’s character is central to the series' exploration of the alleged abuse that the defense claimed motivated the murders. Bardem's casting adds significant prestige to the series, marking his debut as a series regular on a television show.

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• Full Name: Javier Ángel Encinas Bardem
• Date of Birth: March 1, 1969
• Place of Birth: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
• Career Highlights: Bardem is one of the most acclaimed Spanish actors of his generation. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his terrifying portrayal of Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men (2007). His other notable works include Before Night Falls (2000), Skyfall (2012), Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), and Dune (2021). His intense and versatile acting style makes him a powerful choice to portray the controversial figure of José Menendez.

Chloë Sevigny as Kitty Menendez

Chloë Sevigny portrays Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez, the mother of Lyle and Erik. Kitty’s character is shown as a deeply troubled woman, whose relationship with her sons and husband is a key focus of the narrative. Sevigny, a frequent collaborator with Ryan Murphy, brings her signature indie-film gravitas to the role.

• Full Name: Chloë Sevigny
• Date of Birth: November 18, 1974
• Place of Birth: Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
• Career Highlights: Sevigny is an established icon in independent film and television. She won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in Boys Don’t Cry (1999). Her extensive television work includes Big Love, American Horror Story (another Ryan Murphy project), and The Act, for which she received an Emmy nomination. Her nuanced approach to complex characters is perfectly suited for the tragic and often contradictory portrayal of Kitty Menendez.

The Key Players in the Menendez Trial: Supporting Cast

The Menendez trial was a media circus, and the series dedicates significant screen time to the legal and media figures who shaped public perception. These supporting roles are filled by a roster of talented and recognizable actors.

Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne

Veteran stage and screen actor Nathan Lane plays Dominick Dunne, the famous journalist and novelist who covered the Menendez case extensively for Vanity Fair. Dunne's sensationalized coverage and personal connection to the world of the wealthy elite made him a central figure in the media narrative. Lane’s portrayal captures the journalist’s blend of theatricality and sharp insight.

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• Lane is a Tony Award-winning actor known for his work in theatre (The Producers) and film (The Birdcage). His previous collaboration with Ryan Murphy on American Crime Story: The People v. O. J. Simpson earned him an Emmy Award.

Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson

Ari Graynor portrays Leslie Abramson, Erik Menendez’s fiery and controversial defense attorney. Abramson became a household name for her aggressive defense strategy, which centered on the brothers’ claims of long-term abuse. Graynor’s performance is a powerful depiction of a lawyer fighting fiercely against a seemingly insurmountable case.

• Graynor is known for her work in films like Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and TV series such as Fringe and I'm Dying Up Here.

Dallas Roberts as Dr. Jerome Oziel

Dallas Roberts takes on the role of Dr. Jerome Oziel, the Menendez brothers' therapist. Oziel was a pivotal and highly controversial figure, as Erik's confession to him—and the subsequent breach of patient-client confidentiality—was a major turning point in the case. Roberts, known for his ability to play complex and sometimes unsettling characters, embodies the conflicted therapist.

• Roberts is recognizable from his roles in The Walking Dead, Dallas Buyers Club, and as Eliot Delson on Unforgettable.

The Extended Cast: Entity Deep Dive and Topical Authority

To fully capture the depth of the Menendez saga, the series includes several other crucial real-life figures, each adding a layer of complexity to the narrative. These roles are essential for providing a complete picture of the Menendez Brothers trial, the investigation, and the subsequent media frenzy.

Other significant cast members and the entities they represent include:

• Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth: Grossman, another Ryan Murphy regular (known for American Horror Story), plays Judalon Smyth, Dr. Oziel's mistress. Smyth was instrumental in the case as she informed the authorities about Erik’s confession, effectively breaking the case open.
• Milana Vayntrub as Pamela Bozanich: Vayntrub portrays Pamela Bozanich, one of the lead prosecutors in the Menendez case. Bozanich worked to counter the defense's abuse claims and secure a murder conviction. Vayntrub is widely recognized for playing the character "Lily Adams" in a long-running series of AT&T television commercials.
• Michael Hitchcock as David Conn: Hitchcock (also a Murphy veteran) plays David Conn, the defense attorney for Lyle Menendez during the initial trial.
• Gregg Henry as Judge Stanley Weisberg: Henry plays the judge who presided over the Menendez trials, a figure central to the legal drama.
• Orli Gottesman as Jamie Gertz: Gottesman plays a character who interacts with Erik, highlighting the social world of the brothers.

The Impact of the Cast on the 'Monsters' Narrative

The casting of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is a deliberate choice by creator Ryan Murphy to balance high-caliber dramatic acting with fresh, intense performances. The decision to cast young actors like Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch as the brothers, who were largely unknown to a mainstream audience before this, allows viewers to see them without the baggage of pre-existing celebrity, focusing instead on the characters’ emotional journey.

Conversely, the presence of veterans like Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny as the deceased parents, José and Kitty Menendez, anchors the series. Their performances are crucial in establishing the toxic and allegedly abusive environment that the defense argued led to the murders. This strategic casting choice—combining Oscar-level talent with breakout stars—elevates the series from a simple true-crime retelling to a prestige drama, generating significant buzz and critical discussion about the Menendez case and the complex issues of trauma, wealth, and justice. The overall result is a compelling, fresh look at a case many thought they already knew, driven by a cast that is committed to exploring the dark nuances of the Menendez family's tragedy.