**Rebecca Hall Discusses Her Role as Abby Borden in ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’**
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Rebecca Hall takes on the role of Abby Borden, the notoriously harsh stepmother of Lizzie Borden, in the new Netflix series, ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’. The show explores the infamous trial of Lizzie Borden, who was accused and later acquitted of murdering her father and stepmother in 1892, alongside weaving in tales of other historical figures such as Countess Elizabeth Báthory and serial killer Aileen Wuornos.
Despite its dark subject matter, Hall reveals that the atmosphere on set was far from morose. In an interview with *PEOPLE*, the 44-year-old actress expressed that the filming environment was filled with laughter and an unexpected sense of freedom. “There was a lot of laughter on this set,” Hall stated, underscoring the fun that accompanied their work. “We were ready to do the serious stuff when it needed to, but mostly, we understood that we were making something that had this irreverent punk rock energy.”
Co-star Charlie Hunnam, who plays Andrew Borden, shares Hall’s sentiment, describing this season as more “bonkers,” “theatrical,” and even comedic compared to previous seasons of the anthology series. Hall agrees with Hunnam’s perspective, noting that the stylised approach taken in this season made the filming experience enjoyable. “It’s a very heightened tone. It’s very stylised in many ways. I just enjoyed it. I had a lot of fun, and we all did,” she remarked.
Hall, who recently starred in Ryan Murphy’s satirical dark comedy ‘The Beauty’, was drawn to the character of Abby Borden after reading her description. She expressed enthusiasm for the project and a desire to collaborate with Murphy once more. “It was something I’ve never done before. It was such an extreme character,” Hall said, noting the unconventional portrayal of Abby Borden. “I love that she was equal parts terrifying and archetypal evil stepmother, but also really funny and very complicated.”
Initially introduced as a cruel stepmother, Abby is portrayed as a character who belittles her stepdaughter Lizzie. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Abby is more nuanced than she first appears. “She’s locked in a terrible marriage, and she’s just made to look after these children who aren’t hers, and she’s bored,” Hall elaborates. “All of that goes into being cruel because it’s a way to exercise power over people who have less power than her and deal with boredom.”
Additionally, Hall shares insights into Abby’s personality, describing her as someone who constantly seeks attention and power, traits exacerbated by the societal limitations she faces as a woman in a small town during that era. “She’s the kind of personality type that demands a lot of attention,” Hall explained. “She wants power, and she really doesn’t have any because she’s a woman and in a small town and a time when there’s nothing going on for her.”
Interestingly, Hall’s off-screen relationship with her castmate, Ella Beatty, who plays Lizzie, contrasts sharply with Abby’s treatment of Lizzie in the series. Hall remarked on the camaraderie and fun they shared while filming, stating, “We had a lot of fun making it. I mean, we laughed a lot. We were sure to be fast friends pretty quickly.”
The cast is rounded out with notable performances from Vicky Krieps as Bridget Sullivan, Sarah Paulson as Aileen Wuornos, Billie Lourd as Emma Borden, and Jessica Barden as Nance O’Neil. Each character contributes to the show’s rich tapestry, exploring not just the core narrative of Lizzie Borden but also other historical figures and themes of power and moral complexity.
‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’ is now available for streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a unique blend of historical drama, dark humour, and artistic creative expression that Hall and her colleagues embraced during filming. With its engaging performances and a fresh take on well-worn narratives, the series promises an immersive viewing experience.