Lizzie Borden Set: Laughter Amidst Dark Tales

The cast of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story discovered a surprisingly light atmosphere on set, despite tackling grim subject matter. Actress Rebecca Hall, who plays Abby Borden, shared that the set was characterized by "a lot of laughter." She explained that the production embraced an "irreverent punk rock energy" and a "heightened tone," which contributed to a fun and freeing filming experience.

This stylistic approach, described by co-star Charlie Hunnam as "bonkers" and theatrical, allowed the cast to balance the dark plotlines with a sense of enjoyment. Hall specifically was drawn to the complex portrayal of Abby Borden, noting that the character, conceived by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, was "equal parts terrifying and archetypal evil stepmother, but also really funny and really complicated."

Abby Borden is depicted as Lizzie's cruel stepmother, but the series delves into her backstory, revealing a more nuanced character driven by boredom and a desire for power within her constrained circumstances. Hall noted that Abby's cruelty stemmed from a lack of other outlets for her energy. Despite the on-screen animosity, Hall formed a quick friendship with co-star Ella Beatty, who plays Lizzie.