Ella Beatty is stepping into one of her most challenging roles yet, playing Lizzie Borden in Netflix’s upcoming crime drama Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story. Along the way, the actress has relied on lessons from two of Hollywood’s most respected performers: her parents, Warren Beatty and Annette Bening.
In a recent interview with E! News, Ella Beatty opened up about the most valuable acting advice she has received from her famous parents. Her answer was surprisingly simple: learn to listen.
Ella Beatty Says Listening Is the Biggest Acting Lesson
For Beatty, good acting is not simply about delivering lines or commanding attention.
She explained that actors should remain curious about the people they are performing with. Instead of focusing on being interesting, she learned to pay close attention to what another actor is doing in a scene.
“Listening” was the key lesson she highlighted during her conversation with E! News.
Beatty also emphasised the importance of observing the people around you. She said her parents taught her that an actor does not need to be the smartest person in the room.
That approach has become particularly useful as she takes on a complicated historical figure like Lizzie Borden.
Ella Beatty Steps Into the Role of Lizzie Borden
Beatty stars as Lizzie Borden in Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, the fourth installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s Monster anthology.
The series revisits the infamous 1892 case involving Borden, who was accused of killing her father, Andrew Borden, and her stepmother, Abby Borden. She was ultimately acquitted.
Netflix describes the new drama as a story set inside a troubled Victorian-era household. The series explores the circumstances surrounding the murders and the forces that shaped Lizzie’s story.
Netflix’s official cast information confirms Beatty as Lizzie, with Vicky Krieps playing Bridget Sullivan, Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden and Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden. Billie Lourd and Jessica Barden also appear in the cast, while Sarah Paulson plays Aileen Wuornos.
Why the Lizzie Borden Role Matters to Ella Beatty
Taking on Lizzie Borden represents another major step in Beatty’s developing acting career.
The actress has already worked in television and theatre, including Ryan Murphy’s Feud: Capote vs. The Swans and the Broadway production of Appropriate. Her background has given her experience across different performance settings.
However, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story presents a different challenge.
Beatty has to portray a real historical figure whose life has been surrounded by speculation and public fascination for more than a century. Netflix has also positioned the season as an exploration of female violence and the social forces surrounding women accused of horrific crimes.
For Beatty, the opportunity was especially meaningful because this is the first Monster season centred on a female killer.
Warren Beatty and Annette Bening Remain Important Influences
Growing up with Warren Beatty and Annette Bening as parents naturally gave Ella access to two highly experienced actors.
Still, Beatty appears determined to build her own career rather than simply rely on her family name.
Her earlier comments about her parents have also highlighted the practical side of their advice. Warren Beatty has previously encouraged her to listen closely to the actor she is working with, while Annette Bening has emphasised kindness and how much it can matter in a career.
Those lessons fit naturally with Ella’s approach to acting. Instead of trying to dominate a scene, she focuses on paying attention and responding to what is happening around her.
Ella Beatty Dreams of Working With Her Mother
There is also one professional opportunity Beatty would particularly love to experience: sharing the screen with her mother.
In her E! News interview, Beatty described Annette Bening as her favourite actress, hero and best friend. She said the two have talked about working together and that such a project would be a dream.
For now, however, Beatty has plenty to focus on with Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story.
When Does Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story Premiere?
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story premieres on Netflix on September 17, 2026.
Netflix lists the series as a TV-MA drama and describes it as a dark period crime story. The official Netflix page confirms Ella Beatty, Vicky Krieps and Charlie Hunnam are among the principal cast.
The new season is the fourth instalment of the Monster anthology. Previous seasons explored notorious figures, including Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez brothers and Ed Gein.
With Beatty taking centre stage as Lizzie Borden, the upcoming season marks a significant new chapter for the franchise and another important role for the young actress.
What’s Next for Ella Beatty?
Ella Beatty’s portrayal of Lizzie Borden could become one of the most closely watched performances of her young career.
Her approach, however, remains grounded in a lesson she learned from her parents: listen first.
That philosophy may prove especially valuable in a series built around complicated relationships, psychological tension and a notorious historical mystery. As Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story arrives on Netflix, audiences will get their first full look at how Beatty translates that advice into one of her biggest roles yet.