In the wake of the controversy and critical success of The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (catapulting Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez to fam), Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology is turning its gaze to another infamous figure: Lizzie Borden.
The axe-wielding Massachusetts woman, long speculated to have murdered her father and stepmother in 1892, has fascinated true crime devotees for over a century. And as casting rumours swirl for the upcoming instalment, speculation is high about who could step into the blood-soaked shoes of Lizzie herself.
Will Murphy go with an established scream queen (he's platformed many of them), a rising It-girl, or a left-field choice destined to steal the spotlight?
From period piece pros to horror veterans and even a nepo baby wildcard, we’ve rounded up 10 actors who could bring Lizzie to life in bold, unforgettable ways. Here's who we’d love to see wield the axe.
1. Hailee Steinfeld
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Hailee Steinfeld has proven herself as a loveable villain and effortlessly commands the screen in every role – just imagine her transforming that charm into chilling complexity. After her standout performance in Sinners, it’s time to see her back on the silver film, we think.
2. Mia Goth
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Goth is the undisputed scream queen of our generation, the high priestess of horror has already screamed, sobbed, and soul-snatched her way through some of the genre’s weirdest plots. Frankly, at this point, she deserves to weild an axe once more in another Victorian bonnet.
3. Romy Mars
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A chaotic Gen Z nepo baby playing a Victorian-era alleged murderess? That’s the kind of wild card casting Ryan Murphy dreams about. Sofia Coppola's daughter Romy Mars has the mysterious It-Girl factor and has already expressed interest in Charli XCX's proposed Final Destination remake.
4. Florence Pugh
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She’s survived Swedish cults, war zones, and awkward press tours with Harry Styles. Florence Pugh is the reigning queen of period pieces, and her breakout in Midsommar proved she can unravel on screen like no one else. She brings depth, menace, and elegance – all of which would make her a terrifyingly perfect Lizzie.
5. Dakota Fanning
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She’s basically Hollywood’s original child of the corn, and has the poise, maturity, and intensity to take on Lizzie Borden with chilling precision. She’s age-appropriate and endlessly versatile, ready to reclaim her throne in a gripping prestige horror role.
6. Natalia Dyer
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With Stranger Things wrapping up, Natalia Dyer’s schedule is clearing – and what better next step than joining Murphy’s monstrous anthology? Her quiet intensity and experience in the supernatural space would make for an eerie, captivating Lizzie.
7. Maisie Williams
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We’ve seen her swing swords, so axes? Child’s play. Maisie has the tiny-but-mighty energy and the ability to make morally ambiguous violence look downright poetic. Plus, we deserve more of her silently plotting in shadowy hallways. HBO left us starving.
8. Sophie Wilde
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Honestly, any excuse to see more of Sophie on our screens. She already nailed her scream queen debut in Talk to Me, and while she might not be the obvious choice we're throwing her name into the ring too.
9. Amanda Seyfried
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Amanda Seyfried can do Les Mis and Jennifer's Body – she’s got the range. She’s perfectly poised to take on Lizzie’s madness –especially given her age-appropriate casting and past critical acclaim.
10. Emma Corrin
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Emma Corrin inhabits every character with haunting precision, and Lizzie Borden would be no exception. There’s a mercurial danger to their presence that would electrify Murphy’s reimagining of the infamous murderess.
