Javier Bardem (pictured left) and Chloë Sevigny (pictured right) play Jose and Kitty Menendez, respectively, the Beverly Hills couple murdered by sons Lyle (Chavez) and Erik (Koch). The new season follows Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which starred Evan Peters as the infamous serial killer and quickly became one of Netflix's most popular English-language series ever when it debuted in September 2022.
In 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez murdered their parents Jose and Kitty in their home near Los Angeles. Although they were not initially considered prime suspects, they were investigated in the following months and they eventually confessed to parricide, while at the same time claiming that their actions stemmed from years of physical, emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of their father. Their first of two trials, broadcast on Court TV, gripped the nation, as did O.J.'s trial. Simpson in 1994, and is believed to have played a role in today's fascination with 'true crime'.
Prosecutors argued that the pair were in fact out to inherit their father's multimillion-dollar fortune, and the Menendez brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1996, although the case continues to this day. Last summer, Erik and Lyle filed documents in hopes of a new hearing, following former Menudo Menudo bandmate Roy Rosselló's claim that he was molested by José Menendez at the age of fourteen.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is one of two upcoming seasons of the Monster anthology series announced starting November 2022. The story at the center of the third chapter has not yet been revealed. In addition to the scripted series about the Menendez brothers, Netflix also has a feature film in the works about the duo, brought to life with exclusive access to those involved.
Executive producers of Monster season two are Murphy, Brennan, Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, David McMillan, Louise Shore and Carl Franklin.
Bardem, known primarily as a film actor, recently played King Triton in Disney's The Little Mermaid and can soon be seen in Dune: Part Two, out March 1 following a strike, and Apple's Formula 1 racing film starring Brad Pitt.
Sevigny also recently collaborated with Murphy on Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, which debuted on FX on January 31. Sevigny recently guest-starred in the first season of Rian Johnson's critically acclaimed murder mystery series Poker Face, starring Natasha Lyonne. Other recent projects include Luca Guadagnino's Bones and All and series such as The Girl From Plainville and Russian Doll.
