Sarah Paulson is stepping back into the world of Ryan Murphy – and this time, she’s tackling one of the most infamous figures in true crime history. The Emmy-winning actress is in final talks to play serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the fourth season of Netflix’s Monster anthology series.

Who is Aileen Wuornos?

If the name Aileen Wuornos rings a bell, it’s likely thanks to Charlize Theron’s haunting, Oscar-winning turn in the 2003 film, also serendipitously called Monster. That performance transformed Theron’s career – and set a towering bar for any actress daring to revisit Wuornos, the Florida woman convicted of murdering seven men and executed in 2002.

Paulson, known for her uncanny ability to humanise even the darkest characters, seems more than up to the challenge.

What is season four about?

While season four of Monster officially centres on Lizzie Borden and her infamous axe murders, Wuornos’ inclusion hints at a broader exploration of how society mythologises female killers. The show’s creators, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, appear to be weaving together narratives that examine both the sensationalism and the psychology behind such crimes. Production is already underway in Los Angeles, with Ella Beatty set to star as Lizzie, alongside Charlie Hunnam, Rebecca Hall, and Billie Lourd.

When will it come out?

There's no confirmed release date at this point, but we're expecting season four to have a release date around September or October of 2026.

Paulson and Murphy's creative kinship

For Paulson, this marks yet another reunion with Murphy – a creative pairing that has yielded some of television’s most memorable performances. From American Horror Story to The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (for which she won an Emmy), to Ratched and Feud, their collaborations have consistently blurred the line between prestige and pop culture.