Monsters’ Stars on Exploring Menendez Brothers Killings: “You Start to Understand What Led to That”

Inside the Making of NBC’s ‘Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders’

While there's almost no one who hasn't heard of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the Beverly Hills brothers who murdered their parents in 1989, there's still much that most people don't know about them.

A New NBC Series Will Explore Everything Leading Up to the Crime, and the Trial That Followed

Airing on NBC as part of its Law & Order True Crime anthology series, The Menendez Murders will explore the full story of the Menendez family, the events that led up to the murders, and the legal drama that followed.

Starting with the family's seemingly idyllic life in Beverly Hills, the series will explore the elements of Erik and Lyle's upbringing, including their parents' tumultuous marriage, their father's alleged abuse, and the deteriorating mental health of the entire family.

As the series progresses, viewers will follow Erik and Lyle from their parents' murders through their sensational trial, which included allegations of both sexual and physical abuse.

The series will feature Edie Falco and Josh Charles as Jose and Kitty Menendez, and Miles Gaston Villanueva and Gus Halper as Lyle and Erik Menendez.

The Cast Had Strong Reactions to the Material

"It's a very powerful story," says Edie Falco. "You really start to understand what led to that moment where these two boys killed their parents. It's really heartbreaking."

"The story is about abuse," Josh Charles says, "and about the cycle of violence that can happen in families. It's a story that needs to be told. It's an important story to tell."

The actors also had to contend with the immense public interest in the case.

"Everybody has an opinion on this case," Villanueva says, "and most people have a very strong opinion. We knew going in that we were going to be under a microscope."

Despite the challenges, the cast and crew of The Menendez Murders are confident that viewers will be captivated by its unique and complex story.

"It's a demanding series, but it's also incredibly rewarding," says series creator, Dick Wolf. "We feel like we're telling an important story, and that's what keeps us going."