Netflix Series Distorts Lizzie Borden's Friendship with Actress

The Netflix series "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" delves into the life of Lizzie Borden, including her purported friendship with stage actress Nance O'Neil. While the show dramatizes their relationship, the real-life connection between O'Neil and Borden differed significantly from the on-screen portrayal.

Nance O'Neil, born Gertrude Lamson (1874-1965), was a renowned American stage and film actress. She gained international acclaim in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, earning the nickname "the American Bernhardt." O'Neil successfully transitioned from theater to silent films and later to talkies, with her final film appearance in 1932.

In reality, Nance O'Neil and Lizzie Borden met in 1904, well after Borden's acquittal for the murders of her parents. The series inaccurately suggests they met in 1892 and that O'Neil acted as Borden's patron. Furthermore, the show's depiction of O'Neil training Borden during her murder trial is fictional; the actual meeting occurred over a decade after the trial concluded.

The friendship between O'Neil and Borden has been a focal point for speculation regarding Borden's sexuality. Both women were rumored to be gay, and their close bond fueled these discussions, though Borden's true sexuality remains unknown. The series' dramatic liberties also create a narrative where Borden appears infatuated with O'Neil.