‘American Horror Story: 13’ drops chilling first look with its biggest stars back for another nightmare
FX has unveiled the first teaser for American Horror Story: 13, giving fans their first official glimpse at the highly anticipated 13th instalment of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk's horror anthology series. The new season brings together a large group of returning performers, including Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, Leslie Grossman and Jessica Lange.
The new season is scheduled to premiere on September 24 at 9pm ET on FX and Hulu. It will also stream internationally on Disney+. The release comes as the long running anthology approaches its 15th anniversary, having originally premiered in 2011.
American Horror Story: 13 is shaping up as an unusually interconnected chapter in the franchise. Several characters from previous seasons are expected to return, including Constance Langdon, Cordelia Goode, Madison Montgomery, Marie Laveau, Rubber Man, Twisty the Clown and Kai Anderson. FX has also teased additional surprises, keeping much of the story under wraps ahead of the premiere.
Jessica Lange's return is particularly significant for longtime viewers. Lange has been one of the most recognisable performers in the anthology, appearing in several of its earliest and most acclaimed seasons. Her return marks her first appearance in the series since American Horror Story: Apocalypse, which aired in 2018.
Paulson is also returning as Cordelia Goode, the powerful Supreme of the witches first introduced in American Horror Story: Coven. Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe and Leslie Grossman are among the other familiar faces connected to the franchise's earlier stories.
Evan Peters and Angela Bassett are also part of the returning ensemble, adding further weight to a season that has been positioned around the show's history. Kathy Bates and Billie Lourd are likewise among the established American Horror Story performers appearing in the new instalment.
The cast also includes newcomers and performers taking on roles within the franchise, including John Waters, Avantika, Alex Consani, Joey Pollari, Paul Anthony Kelly, Frances Conroy, Mat Fraser, Seth Gabel, Orlando Jones, Tig Notaro, Madelaine Petsch, Mena Suvari and Zach Villa.
The season's plot remains closely guarded. That secrecy has become a familiar part of the American Horror Story rollout, with the anthology traditionally revealing its themes and story details gradually through promotional material.
The upcoming instalment was initially expected to include Ariana Grande, who had been announced as part of the cast. However, Grande later exited the project because of scheduling conflicts connected to her concert commitments. She did not film scenes for the season.
The season is being created by Murphy and Falchuk, with a number of returning producers and writers involved behind the scenes. FX has described the instalment as an all star return to the franchise's history, with several performers reprising fan favourite characters.
The premiere date has been confirmed for Thursday, September 24, giving viewers a new chapter of the anthology just weeks before Halloween. With its returning stars and links to several previous seasons, American Horror Story: 13 is already positioned as one of the franchise's most nostalgia driven instalments.