‘MONSTERS: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Netflix Series: Everything We Know So Far

Filming is now ongoing for the follow-up to DAHMER.

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monsters the lyle and erik menendez story netflix

Pictures: Getty Images / Netflix

In late 2022, we got word that following DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, we’d be getting two additional seasons of what would now become an anthology series from Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan. Season 2 will be MONSTERS: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Here’s everything we know so far about the new season that’s currently in production.

DAHMER remains one of Netflix’s most-watched series of all time, currently ranking third only behind Stranger Things and Wednesday in the English-language list. The series was released on Netflix globally on September 21st, 2022.

Netflix announced season 2 in May 2023, which is being dubbed MONSTERS: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, with a new title card teaser and the new subject matters for the second season:

In addition to the new drama series, Netflix announced they have “exclusive access to Lyle and Erik Menendez for a forthcoming documentary feature.”


Who are Lyle and Erik Menendez?

The series will focus on the two brothers who infamously murdered their wealthy parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989.

The brothers, aged 21 and 18 at the time, claimed they acted in self-defense due to years of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. However, the prosecution argued that the killings were motivated by greed and a desire to inherit their parents’ fortune.

Much of the story will undoubtedly take place in the courtroom, which was highly publicized and lasted for months, capturing the nation’s attention with the pair eventually going on to be charged.

erik lyle menendez trial

Photo credit should read KIM KULISH/AFP via Getty Images

Jailed at separate prisons initially, the eldest brother, Lyle, was housed at Mule Creek State Prison from 1996 through 2018, while Erik served his time at the Pleasant Valley Prison. The pair reunited in 2018 at the R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.

The pair recently hit the headlines again in 2021, with many on social media coming to the defense of the two brothers.


Who are the cast members of MONSTERS: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story?

On May 18th, The Telsey Office (the casting company working on Monster season 2) issued an open casting call for the two brothers.

The call describes the two characters and provides some insights into what we can expect from their traits in the forthcoming season:

“[ERIK MENENDEZ) – Character is male, 18-22, Blue-eyed and brown-haired with lanky, athletic build.

Comes fom extreme privilege. Gentler and more sensitive than Lyle, but also can go from charismatic and humorous to sullen and damaged to hysterical crying.

[LYLE MENENDEZ] Character is male, 18:22, Brown hair and eyes, a little more muscular/bulky than his younger brother.

Comes from extreme prviege. Can go from charismatic and humorous to mercurial ‘and commanding to sullen and damaged to hysterical crying.”

Both characters’ descriptions ask for actors who have Tennis skills and that both roles will involve sexual situations and potential nudity.

monster anthology casting call season 2

Casting call for Monster Anthology Season 2

Deadline confirmed the casting of the show’s leads in June 2023, with Cooper Koch set to play the role of Erik Menendez and Nicholas Alexander Chavez playing Lyle Menendez.

Cooper Koch has yet to star in a Netflix Original production, and his role as Erik Menendez will be his first project for both the streaming service and Ryan Murphy. He previously starred in the Peacock original They/Them as Stu and in the horror Swallowed.

Cooper Koch cast as erik menendez netflix anthology ryan murphy

Pictured: Cooper Koch (left) and the real-life Erik Menendez

Nicholas Alexander Chavez’s acting career began in 2021, and so far, he only has two on-screen acting credits to his name as Jason in Crushed and as Spencer Cassadine for 272 episodes of General Hospital.

nicholas alexander chavez cast as lylemenendez netflix anthology ryan murphy

Pictured: Nicholas Alexander Chavez (left) and the real-life Erik Menendez (right)

In January 2024, Netflix announced two cast members for the forthcoming series:

  • Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men, Being the Ricardos) will play Jose Menendez.
  • Chloë Sevigny (FEUD: Capote vs the Swans) will play Kitty Menendez.


When will Monster Season 2 be on Netflix? Where is the series in production?

Because of the two respective Hollywood strikes, the original proposed September 2023 filming start date was scrapped.

Instead, we first reported that Netflix was looking to begin production on the show from December 12th, 2023, with it set to run through to February 16th, 2024. 

Filming did get underway, with the first look at the pair behind the scenes released via the Daily Mail with the pictures provided to them by TheImageDirect.com.

We can confirm two directors currently attached to the series as of January 2024. Those are:

  • Carl Franklin – On board to direct the first two episodes. Previously directed the first episode of DAHMER. Plus has also worked on Mindhunter, I Am The Night, One False Move, and Out of Time.
  • Paris Barclay is on board to direct at least episode 3 for the second season. I previously worked on Station 19, American Horror Story, The Watcher, and DAHMER.
Carl Franklin Paris Barclay Directors Monsters Season 2

Carl Franklin and Paris Barclay – Pictures: Getty Images


When will MONSTERS: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story be released on Netflix?

MONSTERS: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story will be released in 2024 per the original Netflix press release, although no specific window was given.

Given the new production window, we’re predicting a Q4 2024 release for MONSTERS: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.


Who will Season 3 of Netflix’s Monsters cover?

There is no word on the third season of Monsters yet, but we’ve rattled through some names of who could be featured in future installments of the anthology crime series here.

MONSTERS The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story Titles

Title card for MONSTERS: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

Of course, Ryan Murphy’s other hit 2022 show, The Watcher, is also due to return for a future season on Netflix. For more renewed shows coming to Netflix, check out our guide here.

You’ll soon be able to add the second season of Monster to your Netflix queue via the link here.

Are you looking forward to season 2 of Monster covering Lyle and Erik Menendez? Let us know in the comments.

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Founder of What's on Netflix and based in Norwich in the United Kingdom, Kasey has been tracking the comings and goings of the Netflix library for a decade having started the site in 2013. Kasey maintains the what's new library, keeps the coming soon lists up-to-date and writes about new and upcoming Netflix movies, series and games.

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Official Netflix Synopsis: "Across more than a decade, 17 teen boys and young men were murdered by convicted killer Jeffrey Dahmer. How did he evade arrest for so long?"


Rating: TV-MA
Language: English
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Cast: Süfyan Elmoumi, Evan Peters, Michael Learned
Season Additions:
  • - Season 1 was added to Netflix on September 21st, 2022
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