Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story landed on Netflix on September 19, with the new series introducing audiences to the true story behind one of the most high-profile double parricide cases in history which saw brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez fatally shooting their parents.
With a cast led by emerging stars Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch as Lyle and Erik Menendez respectively, the Monsters cast also features big names such as Javier Bardem as José Menendez and Chloë Sevigny as Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez.
Intrigued? Catch up on the Monsters cast in full, including where you've seen them before.
Lyle and Erik's life 35 years on.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story cast in full
Here's the full cast list for Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, with more detailed looks into the show's leads and where you likely recognise them from below.
- Lyle Menendez, played by Nicholas Alexander Chavez
- Erik Menendez, played by Cooper Koch
- José Menendez, played by Javier Bardem
- Kitty Menendez, played by Chloë Sevigny
- Brian Andersen, played by Larry Clarke
- Carlos Baralt, played by Enrique Murciano
- Craig Cignarelli, played by Charlie Hall
- David Conn, played by Paul Adelstein
- Detective Les Zoeller, played by Jason Butler Harner
- Detective Tom Linehan, played by Drew Powell
- Dominick Dunne, played by Nathan Lane
- Dr. Jerome Oziel, played by Dallas Roberts
- Dr. Laurel Oziel, played by Tessa Auberjonois
- Dr. William Vicary, played by Gil Ozeri
- Jamie Pisarcik, played by Jade Pettyjohn
- Judalon Smyth, played by Leslie Grossman
- Leslie Abramson, played by Ari Graynor
- Marta Cano, played by Marlene Forte
- Perry Berman, played by Tanner Stine
- Peter Hoffman, played by Jeff Perry
- Tim Rutten, played by Michael Gladis
Javier Bardem as José Menendez
Javier Bardem takes on the role of the Menendez brothers' father José.
Born in Cuba, José Menendez met his wife Kitty while attending the Southern Illinois University, with the pair marrying in 1963. A successful businessman and music executive, José was reportedly responsible for helping sign major bands such as Duran Duran and the Eurythmics.
His success in business allowed the couple to buy their impressive $14-million Beverley Hills estate.
Through the trial, the Menendez brothers claimed years of emotional, physical and sexual abuse at the hands of their father.
Where you've seen Javier Bardem before: Javier Bardem needs little introduction, having had a long list of film credits that include No Country for Old Men, Dune, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Little Mermaid and Skyfall. In 2010, Bardem married fellow Spanish actor Penélope Cruz, whom he shares two children with.
Chloë Sevigny as Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez
Chloë Sevigny plays Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez in the Netflix show.
Though living out a life of luxury from afar, in reality Kitty Menendez was grappling with an unfulfilling marriage and struggled to adjust to life after José relocated the family to LA suburb Calabasas in 1986, and later Beverly Hills.
Though Kitty initially worked as a school teacher, following the birth of Lyle and Erik, she set this aside to become a full-time housewife. Lyle also accused Kitty of psychological and physical abuse.
Where you've seen Chloë Sevigny before: Sevigny is known for several roles across film and TV, having appeared in major films such as American Psycho and Zodiac as well as key roles in TV series Big Love, Bloodline and a supporting role in two seasons of American Horror Story.
Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle Menendez
Nicholas Alexander Chavez takes on the role of Lyle Menendez in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
The eldest Menendez brother, Lyle claimed years of abuse at the hands of his father. Though portrayed as the more confident and forthcoming of the two siblings in the Netflix series, one key insecurity which the series touches on is the wig Lyle wears following extreme hair loss, an effect fans speculate was due to the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father.
Where you've seen Nicholas Alexander Chavez before: Prior to his role on the Netflix Monsters series, Chavez had appearances in shows such as General Hospital, Crushed and other Ryan Murphy series Grotesquerie.
Cooper Koch plays Erik Menendez
Cooper Koch portrays Erik Menendez in the series.
The younger of the Menendez brothers, Erik had a promising future in tennis though ultimately admitted the murders of his parents to his psychologist Jerome Oziel, with this marking a fundamental turning point in the case.
Where you've seen Cooper Koch before: Prior to Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Koch has had roles in thriller films They/Them and Swallowed, as well as appearances in TV series Power Book II: Ghost.
Dallas Roberts as Dr Jerome Oziel
Dr Jerome Oziel was Erik's psychologist, being the person who Erik confided in about his parents' murder. Though he assured Erik he would never reveal the secret, Roberts ended up confiding in his mistress Judalon who went on to tell the police.
Where you've seen Dallas Roberts before: Roberts has had leading roles in TV series The Walking Dead, The Good Wife, Insatiable and Unforgettable, in addition to roles in films Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and My Friend Dahmer.
Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth
As above, Judalon Smyth ends up playing a key part in the development of the Menendez brothers case. Following the conclusion of an affair with Erik's psychologist Dr Jerome Oziel, Judalon tells the police that Erik had confessed to his parents' murder.
Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth in Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story. Netflix
Where you've seen Leslie Grossman before: Grossman is best known for her roles in What I Like About You and 10 Things I Hate About You, as well as appearing in Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story series.
Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne
Dominick Dunne was an American writer and investigative journalist known for covering several infamous US trials including the Menendez brothers case.
Where you've seen Nathan Lane before: Beyond his iconic role voicing Timon in The Lion King, Nathan Lane has enjoyed an impressive career on TV and on stage, with the actor having picked up a cool six Tony Award nominations and three wins. Lane has also starred in series such as Modern Family, The Good Wife and Only Murders in the Building.
Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson
Leslie Abramson is a criminal defence attorney who served as Lyle and Erik's legal defence. As per Vanity Fair, Leslie Abramson was ‘considered to be the most brilliant Los Angeles defence lawyer for death-row cases.’
Where you've seen Ari Graynor before: Ari Gaynor has had roles in TV series Bad Teacher, The Sopranos, Fringe and I'm Dying Up Here.
