Cinema VinesNetflix’s new anthology series, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, set to premiere its fourth season on September 17, shifts focus to the lesser‑known sister of the infamous murder suspect. While Ella Beatty portrays Lizzie Borden, Billie Lourd steps into the role of Emma Leonora Borden, the eldest of the three siblings who survived the 1892 tragedy.
Emma was born in 1851, making her nine years older than Lizzie. She was the eldest of the Borden children, following the early death of her younger sister Alice Esther. After their mother, Sarah Anthony Morse Borden, passed away, Emma vowed on her deathbed to protect and care for Lizzie, a promise that would shape her involvement in the family’s tumultuous history.
When Andrew and Abby Borden were murdered on August 4, 1892, Emma was not present at the family home in Fall River. She was visiting a friend, Helen Brownell, in Fairhaven, about 17 miles away, and her absence provided a strong alibi that set her apart from Lizzie, who became the primary suspect. The day after the murders, Lizzie sent a telegram to Emma, urging her to return home.
During Lizzie’s trial, Emma remained a steadfast companion, living with her after the case concluded. However, the sisters’ relationship began to fray in the years that followed. After moving out of the family residence, they shared a home at Maplecroft, 306 French Street, but gradually drifted apart. Lizzie’s social circle expanded to include actress Nance O’Neil and other theatre figures, while Emma withdrew further from public life.
Emma’s public defense of her father’s memory also highlights her distinct perspective. In a 1913 interview with the Boston Sunday Post, she dismissed rumors that Andrew Borden was a miser, labeling such claims a “wicked lie.” This stance underscored her commitment to preserving the family’s legacy against sensationalist narratives.
As Netflix revisits the case, the series offers a dramatized account of the events surrounding the murders and the sisters’ complex bond. By bringing Emma’s story to the screen, the show provides a more nuanced view of the Borden family beyond the sensational headlines that have long dominated the historical record.
