Following the announcement that a court hearing has been set for the Menendez brothers this upcoming November, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story co-creator Ryan Murphy says the series could make a comeback. The show marks the second installment in Murphy’s Netflix true crime anthology, chronicling the story of the titular Californian brothers who murdered their parents in 1989 and were eventually convicted of the killings in 1996. In the wake of Monsters‘ premiere, the brothers’ post-conviction attorney revealed that newfound evidence was being reviewed for a new appeal.

On the same day as the hearing announcement, Murphy sat down with Variety and expressed interest in continuing the story. Although a second season is out of the question, the co-creator said he’d like to extend the first season, on the sole condition that the lead actors are interested in coming back for new episodes, as well:

I think what I would be interested in doing, if Nicholas [Alexander Chavez] and Cooper [Koch] would agree to do it, is maybe one or two episodes that continue the story.

In addition to expressing his interest in expanding the Netflix show, Murphy also shared his belief that the new hearing will result in a successful release for the Menendez brothers, feeling that Monsters gave the duo a “moment in the court of public opinion” and believing they will be out of prison in time for an upcoming holiday:

We gave them their moment in the court of public opinion. Basically, we did give them a platform. I think they can be out of prison by Christmas. I really believe that.

What This Means For Monsters

It All Depends On The Hearing

With this new court hearing approaching, the possibility of a new chapter in the brothers’ legal battle is real. In a press conference on Thursday, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said that there was “a moral and ethical obligation” to review the new evidence submitted by the brothers last year, which furthered their claim that they were sexually abused by their father, and that the murders of him and his wife and their mother was done out of self-defense.

This newfound evidence refers to a letter written by Erik Menendez in 1988, eight months before the murder, where he reportedly mentioned his father’s abuse to one of his cousins. However, Gascón clarified, that the prosecution is still reviewing the evidence and is not ready, at this point, to confirm or deny the credibility of the claims. The brothers’ court hearings are especially significant because they could result in a reduction in their life sentences, bringing their decades-long story to a new chapter, which could also result in a significant shift in the Monsters series.

While Murphy notes that Koch and Chavez’s interest will be key in expanding the show further, it also falls on Netflix whether they want to fund any more episodes of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Much like Dahmer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story before it, the show has been dominating Netflix’s charts since its premiere, in spite of its poor reception from critics, audiences and backlash from Erik. Given Netflix is moving ahead with Monster season 3, though, a positive outcome in the trial could sway their interest in producing more.

Our Take On The Potential Extension

It Could Give A Definitive Closure To Season 2

Murphy’s proposal to add more episodes to Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story could allow viewers to witness the new chapter unfold, possibly reshaping how the most skeptical viewers perceive the brothers’ actions and motivations. The idea of revisiting such a high-profile case, particularly as it unfolds, demonstrates Murphy’s persistence in investigating the complexities of true crime.

Nonetheless, it is ultimately up to Chavez and Koch to accept Murphy’s proposal to extend Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Their return to these roles could provide new depth to the characters and their story, and the potential expansion of the show would allow for a deeper exploration of the Menendez brothers’ lives, trial, and conclusion to the 36-year-old story. It would also be a rare instance of a creative figure like Murphy getting to expand on the true story they’re exploring and give it a more definitive conclusion.