As we would expect from a Ryan Murphy production, there’s a whole lot of controversy around the show for a number of reasons, as well as a star-studded cast, which includes a number of familiar faces who’ve worked on Murphy productions before, as well as rising stars Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch, who play Lyle and Erik Menendez, respectively.
With the series now available to watch on Netflix, many viewers will likely be wondering how the actors playing Lyle, Erik, Kitty, José and the rest of the cast compare to their real-life counterparts.
Well, read on for everything you need to know about the cast of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
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Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story cast – Who plays who in Netflix drama?
The full cast list for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is below but scroll on to find out more about the main ensemble, plus where you may have seen the actors previously.
- Javier Bardem as José Menendez
- Chloë Sevigny as Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez
- Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle Menendez
- Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez
- Dallas Roberts as Dr Jerome Oziel
- Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth
- Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne
- Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson
- Paul Adelstein as David Conn
- Jason Butler Harner as Detective Les Zoeller
- Enrique Murciano as Carlos Baralt
- Michael Gladis as Tim Rutten
- Drew Powell as Det Tom Linehan
- Charlie Hall as Craig Cignarelli
- Gil Ozeri as Dr William Vicary
- Jeff Perry as Peter Hoffman
- Tessa Auberjonois as Dr Laurel Oziel
- Tanner Stine as Perry Berman
- Larry Clarke as Brian Andersen
- Jade Pettyjohn as Jamie Pisarcik
- Marlene Forte as Marta Cano
Nicholas Alexander Chavez plays Lyle Menendez
Who is Lyle Menendez? Lyle is the eldest Menendez son and is depicted in the series as being the more confident, brash and hot-headed one of the brothers. As depicted in the series, one of Lyle's biggest sources of embarrassment was the fact he wore a hairpiece after experiencing major hair loss.
What else has Nicholas Alexander Chavez been in? Chavez has starred in General Hospital, Crushed and is also set to star in another Ryan Murphy series, Grotesquerie.
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Cooper Koch plays Erik Menendez
Who is Erik Menendez? Erik is the younger of the Menendez brothers and is depicted in the series as being the more nervous of the pair. He had a fledgling tennis career but admitted to the murders to his psychologist, Jerome Oziel, which would later become the biggest breakthrough of the case.
What else has Cooper Koch been in? Koch has starred in films like They/Them and Swallowed as well as Power Book II: Ghost.
Nathan Lane plays Dominick Dunne
Who is Dominick Dunne? A notable writer and investigative journalist, Dunne was known for covering many infamous US trials, including that of the Menendez brothers.
Lane previously said he wasn't nervous of controversy around the series.
Chatting exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Lane said "it was so well written and I knew it would be a first-class production."
What else has Nathan Lane been in? The acclaimed actor is known for his numerous roles in film, TV and on the stage, earning six Tony Award nominations in his time and three wins. He has starred in Modern Family, Beau Is Afraid, The Good Wife, Only Murders in the Building and The Gilded Age, to name a few.
Chloë Sevigny plays Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez
Who is Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez? Kitty was Lyle and Erik's mother and would often be left to raise her sons solely as her husband would often travel for work. The family moved from New Jersey to California in 1986 and it was said that Kitty had a hard time adjusting to life on the West Coast.
What else has Chloë Sevigny been in? Sevigny is known for numerous roles in film and TV including in American Psycho, Zodiac, Big Love and Bloodline. This isn't Sevigny's first role in a Ryan Murphy production as she has also starred in American Horror Story and Feud: Capote vs the Swans.
Javier Bardem plays José Menendez
Who is José Menendez? Born in Cuba, José met Kitty while attending the Southern Illinois University and the pair married in 1963. He had a successful career as a corporate executive working for an American home video company, with his riches leading the family to Beverly Hills. The Menendez brothers claimed that José sexually abused them for years.
What else has Javier Bardem been in? The Spanish actor is known for a variety of roles including in films like No Country for Old Men, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Skyfall, Dune and The Little Mermaid.
Leslie Grossman plays Judalon Smyth
Who is Judalon Smyth? Judalon was a key witness in the Menendez brother trial and was having an extramarital affair with Jerome Oziel. After he cut off the relationship, she told the police that Erik had confessed to his parent's murder to him.
What else has Leslie Grossman been in? Grossman is known for her roles in What I Like About You, Popular and 10 Things I Hate About You. She has also starred in Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story across various seasons.
Dallas Roberts plays Dr Jerome Oziel
Who is Dr Jerome Oziel? Oziel was Erik's psychologist and was the therapist that Erik confided in about the murders of his parents. Although he vowed not to tell anyone, he told his mistress Judalon, who would later tell the police.
What else has Dallas Roberts been in? Roberts has starred in The Walking Dead, The Good Wife, Unforgettable and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. He has also starred in Law & Order, Insatiable and My Friend Dahmer.
Ari Graynor plays Leslie Abramson
Who is Leslie Abramson? Abramson is a criminal defence attorney who represented the legal defence for Erik and Lyle.
What else has Ari Graynor been in? Gaynor is known for her roles in The Sopranos, Fringe, I'm Dying Up Here and Surface.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is now streaming on Netflix – sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.
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