American Horror Story 13: Returning Characters, Cast and Everything We Know So Far

What is American Horror Story Season 13 about?

FX has kept the central plot under wraps, but its official synopsis promises an “unrivaled 13th instalment” that brings together an all-star cast, many of whom are reprising fan-favourite roles.

The synopsis directly references past terrors such as a creepy murder house, a coven of witches, a travelling freak show, a haunted hotel and the apocalypse. This is not merely another visit to Miss Robichaux’s Academy, then. It is a franchise-wide collision. And considering how well Coven and Apocalypse crossed over, I think it's safe to say that we are in for a sickly sweet treat!

Murphy has confirmed that the season draws on “all the seasons”, with multiple actors returning as more than one of their former characters. He said:

“Sarah Paulson is playing six or seven roles. Jessica Lange is playing all four of her iconic characters. Evan Peters is playing five characters… It is like The Avengers. They all come together to defeat the ultimate evil.”

What this “ultimate evil” might be has not been announced. Given this show’s history, sensible guesses include Satan, a serial killer, a haunted building or some supernatural boogeyman

Returning characters confirmed in the teaser

The official teaser confirms several major returns, including heroes, villains and at least one nightmare clown who should have stayed silent beneath the bed.

Jessica Lange as Constance Langdon

Murder House (2011)

Constance Langdon was the fearsome next-door neighbour at the centre of the first American Horror Story season. She was the mother of Tate Langdon and a woman with a talent for surviving tragedy and causing tragedy all whilst wearing a fabulous dress.

Constance covered up Tate’s crimes, raised his supernatural son Michael Langdon and later appeared in Apocalypse (2018). The teaser confirms her return, while Murphy has said Lange will play all four of her classic roles.

That means fans may also see:

• Sister Jude Martin from Asylum (2012)
• Fiona Goode from Coven (2013)
• Elsa Mars from Freak Show (2014)

Only Constance has been confirmed in footage so far.

Sarah Paulson as Cordelia Goode

Coven (2013)

Cordelia Goode is the Supreme witch and headmistress of Miss Robichaux’s Academy in New Orleans. Initially overshadowed by her ruthless mother Fiona, Cordelia became the coven’s leader and moral centre.

She protected young witches from the witch hunters, helped rebuild the academy and led the fight against Michael Langdon in Apocalypse (2018).

Murphy has said Paulson plays six or seven characters in Season 13, but Cordelia is the only role formally identified in the teaser. The final shot sees her looking into a mirror as it cracks, not usually a sign of a relaxing spa weekend.

Angela Bassett as Marie Laveau

Coven (2013)

Marie Laveau, the immortal Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, was one of Coven’s most powerful and unforgettable characters. A long-time enemy of Fiona Goode and the witches of Miss Robichaux’s Academy, Marie eventually joined forces with the coven against the witch hunters.

Her deal with Papa Legba eventually caught up with her, but she later returned in Apocalypse (2018) to help fight Michael Langdon. The teaser confirms that Angela Bassett is once again playing Marie.

Emma Roberts as Madison Montgomery

Coven (2013)

Madison Montgomery is the telekinetic witch, former child star and walking insult machine from American Horror Story: Coven (2013). Her powers were formidable, her patience was non-existent and her death was surprisingly temporary.

Madison was murdered by Fiona Goode, resurrected by Zoe Benson and Misty Day, and murdered again by Kyle Spencer. In American Horror Story: Apocalypse (2018), Michael Langdon rescued her from her personal Hell and brought her back to life once more. Madison then helped the coven investigate Michael and fight against his plans, before he killed her by exploding her head.

When Mallory travelled back in time and stopped Michael’s rise, Madison’s resurrection was erased along with the altered timeline. Mallory promised to return for her, leaving Madison’s eventual fate unresolved. The teaser appears to place Emma Roberts back in Madison’s sharply dressed shoes.

Evan Peters as Kai Anderson

Cult (2017)

Kai Anderson was the political extremist at the centre of Cult, a man who exploited fear following the 2016 US election to build a violent, personality-driven cult.

Kai manipulated those around him, turned insecurity into a weapon and pursued power with extreme  enthusiasm. His cult finally imploded when his closest followers turned against him.

The teaser confirms Evan Peters as Kai. However, Murphy has said Peters plays five characters this season, meaning Tate Langdon, Mr March, Jimmy Darling or other familiar faces could still emerge.

John Carroll Lynch as Twisty the Clown

Freak Show (2014)

Twisty the Clown was one of the franchise’s most disturbing creations: a silent killer in a cracked mask, with a mutilated jaw and a tragic back story.

In Freak Show, Twisty abducted children and killed anyone who threatened his warped fantasy of becoming a beloved entertainer. His purported motivation was to save children from their mean, candy-denying, parents. Edward Mordrake eventually claimed his soul into the afterlife, but a clown this memorable was never likely to remain gone for good.

The teaser opens with Twisty, making him one of Season 13’s first confirmed villains.

Rubber Man

Murder House (2011)

Rubber Man, the sinister figure in a skintight black latex suit, is also back. The character was closely tied to Tate Langdon’s crimes in Murder House, where Tate used the costume to hide his identity.

Although Evan Peters wore the suit in the original season, Rubber Man should be treated as a distinct character rather than automatically credited to Peters. The teaser confirms the figure’s return, but not who is beneath the mask this time.

Mena Suvari as Elizabeth Short, the Black Dahlia

Murder House (2011)

Variety reports that Mena Suvari’s Elizabeth Short, also known as the Black Dahlia, appears in the teaser. The character was a ghost connected to the Murder House and based on the real-life murder victim.

Short also appeared in Apocalypse (2018), when characters returned to the Murder House in search of answers about Michael Langdon.

Gabourey Sidibe as Queenie

Coven (2013)

Gabourey Sidibe is expected to return as Queenie, the witch with the ability to inflict pain on others by harming herself. Queenie appeared in Coven, Freak Show (2014), Hotel (2015) and Apocalypse.

Her return is especially welcome after Hotel left her trapped inside the Cortez for a while. Cordelia Goode failed to save Queenie, but rival Michael Langdon succeeds to reseruct the young witch, mostly to discredit and shame Cordelia. Queenie is a fan favorite and we are all super pysched to have her return.

Jamie Brewer as Nan

Coven (2013)

Jamie Brewer returns as Nan, the clairvoyant young witch from Coven. Nan could read minds and see hidden truths, which sounds useful until everyone around you is a liar, murderer or both.

She was killed by Fiona Goode and Marie Laveau, then became a companion to Papa Legba. Nan returned in Apocalypse.

It is worth clearing up a common point of confusion with fans: Brewer also played Adelaide “Addie” Langdon in Murder House, but the returning character in Season 13 is reported to be Nan.

New characters

Season 13 is not exclusively a parade of returning faces.

Paul Anthony Kelly joins the cast in an undisclosed new role. In the teaser, his character is seen in a bathtub with a snake. Vogue has described the role as “the linchpin of the season”, suggesting he may be central to the conflict, and very possibly the person everyone will regret inviting indoors.

Joey Pollari is also part of the new ensemble, but his character has not yet been officially named.

Other returning cast members

The confirmed Season 13 ensemble also includes:

• Kathy Bates
• Billie Lourd
• Frances Conroy
• Leslie Grossman
• Mat Fraser
• Seth Gabel
• Zach Villa

Their specific characters have not yet been revealed. New and returning cast members also include Avantika, Berto Colon, Elle Chapman, Alex Consani, Orlando Jones, Tig Notaro, Madelaine Petsch, Fedor Steer and John Waters.

Release schedule

Season 13 has 13 half-hour episodes, with FX taking an unusual release approach for its appropriately numbered season.

The series premieres at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on FX and Hulu in the US. UK release information has not yet been confirmed by FX or Disney+.

Is this the end of American Horror Story?

Murphy has told The Hollywood Reporter that Season 13 is vertainly not intended as the end of the franchise, and that he is already considering ideas and potential cast members for Season 14.

For now, Season 13 looks set to be the show’s largest crossover yet: a reunion of witches, ghosts, killers, clowns and survivors from nearly every dark corner of American Horror Story.

Sources

• The Hollywood Reporter: American Horror Story Season 13 — Everything We Know
• Variety: Season 13 teaser, returning characters and release schedule
• Vogue: first look at American Horror Story Season 13