Javier Bardem, Chloë Sevigny Star in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix Menendez Murders Series

Javier Bardem is making his debut in Ryan Murphy’s latest project, a highly-anticipated follow-up to “Dahmer — Monster.” This time, Murphy is exploring another harrowing true crime story from the ’90s: the Menendez murders.

Bardem stars alongside longtime Murphy collaborator Chloë Sevigny as José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, who were brutally murdered by their sons Lyle (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and Erik (Cooper Koch). The brothers were convicted in 1996. Their case will be the latest installment in Netflix’s “Monster” anthology series, titled “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.”

The official synopsis of the series states: “While the prosecution argued they were seeking to inherit their family fortune, the brothers claimed—and remain adamant to this day, as they serve life sentences without the possibility of parole—that their actions stemmed from a lifetime of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of their parents. ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ dives into the historic case that took the world by storm, paving the way for the modern-day fascination with true crime. It then turns to the audience, asking: Who are the real monsters?”

Nathan Lane is cast as Dominick Dunne, and Ari Graynor portrays Leslie Abramson.

The supporting ensemble features Leslie Grossman, Dallas Roberts, Paul Adelstein, Jason Butler Harner, Enrique Murciano, Michael Gladis, Drew Powell, Charlie Hall, Gil Ozeri, Jeff Perry, Tessa Auberjonois, Tanner Stine, Larry Clarke, Marlene Forte, and “Little Fires Everywhere” breakout Jade Pettyjohn.

The series is co-created and executive produced by Murphy and Ian Brennan, along with actor Bardem, Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, David McMillan, Louise Shore, and Carl Franklin.

Directing duties for the season are handled by Brennan, Franklin, Max Winkler, Paris Barclay, and Michael Uppendahl. Writers include Murphy, Brennan, David McMillan, Todd Kubrak, and Reilly Smith.

The Menendez family murder case was previously depicted in 2017 with “The Menendez Murders,” an installment of “Law & Order True Crime” from Dick Wolf.

Despite Murphy exiting his Netflix deal in 2023 for a partnership with the Disney Corporation, which includes Hulu and 20th Century Fox TV, “Monsters” remains on the streaming platform. The Emmy-winning “Dahmer — Monster” was in Netflix’s Top 10 most popular English-language TV originals and was renewed for a second season in 2022.

To clarify, Murphy’s “Monsters” series is separate from his “American Crime Story” anthology, which has depicted the assassination of Gianni Versace, the trial of O.J. Simpson, and Bill Clinton’s impeachment case.

In addition to true crime, Murphy’s producing empire is expanding into sports with “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez,” starring Josh Rivera as the New England Patriots tight end who was convicted of murder. Patrick Schwarzenegger portrays Tim Tebow, with Tammy Blanchard cast as Terri Hernandez and Lindsay Mendez as Tanya Singleton.

“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” premieres September 19 on Netflix.

Source: IndieWire, Particle News