Netflix has released the trailer for its forthcoming true crime series Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, prompting questions about the historical figure's sexuality. The latest instalment of Ryan Murphy's anthology series recounts the tale of the alleged axe murderer from 1892.
American Lizzie Borden was put on trial for the murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts. After she was tried and acquitted, she and her sister moved to another part of town, where they lived a reclusive life until their deaths.
Trailer Hints at a Romance
The trailer opens with Lizzie Borden, played by Ella Beatty, lying in the grass amongst flowers. Irish housemaid Bridget 'Maggie' Sullivan, played by Vicky Krieps, says to her: “There’s nothing wrong with blood.” A cut to bloodshed follows as Lizzie carries out the brutal slayings.
As the trailer progresses, Lizzie appears to embark on a lesbian affair with Bridget, with the pair sharing a passionate kiss. This has led to questions about the real-life figure and whether Murphy has taken creative liberties with his latest show.
Historical Evidence Remains Inconclusive
There is nothing conclusive to suggest that Lizzie was gay; however, she never married during her lifetime, and there aren’t any mentions of suitors. According to In Magazine, the notion of a romance between Lizzie and her maid is “pure fan fiction”.
She did strike up a close friendship in 1904 with actress Nance O’Neil, which led to many raised eyebrows at the time. Lizzie’s sister Emma Borden moved out of their shared home after having an argument about Nance, which might have been due to her sibling’s relationship with the actress, though this remains speculation.
Previous Explorations of the Relationship
The relationship between Lizzie and Nance has been explored prior to Murphy’s forthcoming true crime series, with David Foley’s 2010 play Nance O'Neil and the Miss Lizzie by Walter Satterthwait also exploring their dynamic. O’Neil was later married to British-born film actor Alfred Hickman and was together until his death in 1931.
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story will be released on September 17 on Netflix.
