LDT “Sarah Paulson in Final Talks to Portray Aileen Wuornos in Netflix’s Monster Season 4”
Sarah Paulson is reportedly in final negotiations to take on one of her darkest roles yet — portraying notorious serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the upcoming fourth season of Netflix’s hit anthology series Monster.
Returning to Ryan Murphy’s Universe
The Emmy-winning actress is no stranger to creator Ryan Murphy, having delivered acclaimed performances in American Horror Story and Impeachment: American Crime Story. Her return to Murphy’s orbit marks another high-profile collaboration between the two longtime creative partners.
According to multiple outlets, Monster: Season 4 will center primarily on Lizzie Borden, the infamous 19th-century woman accused — and later acquitted — of killing her parents with an axe. Paulson’s potential role as Wuornos, the Florida woman executed in 2002 for a series of murders in 1989–1990, suggests the new season could weave together multiple stories of female “monsters” across time.
A Thematic Shift
The Monster franchise began with Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which became one of Netflix’s most-watched series of all time. Its follow-up season, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, continued to explore the darker side of human psychology.
If finalized, Paulson’s casting signals a deliberate shift in focus — examining how society defines and sensationalizes women accused of violence. Critics and fans alike expect Season 4 to delve into the intersection of gender, crime, and media obsession.
What’s Next
Netflix has yet to confirm Paulson’s casting or a release date, but production is already underway, with early footage expected sometime in 2026.
“Sarah Paulson brings depth and humanity to every role,” one insider told TVLine. “If anyone can make audiences understand Aileen Wuornos beyond the headlines, it’s her.”
When officially confirmed, Monster: Season 4 will reunite Murphy with one of his most celebrated collaborators — and reintroduce viewers to one of the most chilling and complex figures in American true-crime history.
