The nightmare of American Horror Story continues. The American network FX has officially renewed the beloved anthology series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for a fourteenth season, confirming that the horror universe that has captivated audiences since 2011 still has many stories to tell. The announcement comes just days before the finale of the thirteenth season, expected in the United States on October 29 and in Italy on Disney+ on November 5.
The success of American Horror Story
American Horror Story is FX’s longest-running drama and has become a global phenomenon, earning more than 100 Emmy nominations and 17 wins since its debut in 2011, including awards for performances by Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and James Cromwell. The renewal news arrives at a particularly positive moment for the franchise. Season 13 represented the biggest streaming debut in the show’s history, also marking the best launch ever for a Ryan Murphy production on Hulu and Disney+, when considering the viewership in the first four days.
The previews for Season 14 and Ryan Murphy’s statements
But what does Ryan Murphy have in mind for the next chapter? For now, details are few and questions are many. The creator has already begun working on new ideas and weighing possible cast members, but he has not yet revealed the plot nor announced the lineup. It remains to be seen whether the fourteenth season will continue along the path of the extensive narrative connections we’ve seen in season 13 or will introduce a completely autonomous nightmare. In any case, the writer-producer confirmed that he is already engaged in developing the new installment. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he explained that he is considering both the core idea behind the season and the actors who could take part. “I’m working on Season 14 right now, thinking about what the idea will be and who will want to be there,” he said, also highlighting how much he enjoyed stepping back into the director’s chair for the thirteenth season. Directing the first episode of season 13 represented for him a return to a creative dimension he had not explored since Freak Show, the fourth season.
American Horror Story 14: a new story or another crossover?
One of the aspects that characterized Season 13 was its ambitious crossover, conceived to reunite characters and events from some of the series’ most beloved chapters. Coven, Murder House, Freak Show, Hotel, Cult and Apocalypse returned to weave together in a narrative that brought back faces adored by fans. The story of American Horror Story 13, set primarily in New York, revolves around Apollyon, a disturbing residential building connected to a hellish portal located in the basement. The setting serves as a backdrop to a collective event in which the past and present of the series meet through characters and different timelines.
The result was also a reunion of veteran performers, including Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Emma Roberts and Billie Lourd, alongside new entries to the franchise. It remains unclear whether Season 14 will continue to explore this network of connections. The crossover’s success could leave room for further returns, but it is not ruled out that the creators may prefer to start from scratch with a new setting and a different horror theme.
The cast of American Horror Story 14: who will return?
At present, FX and Ryan Murphy have not officially confirmed any names for the cast of the new season. Among the actors most closely associated with the American Horror Story universe are certainly Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Finn Wittrock, Billie Lourd and Denis O’Hare, but their participation in the upcoming chapter remains to be confirmed. Sarah Paulson, in particular, has long expressed a strong bond with the series. In an interview with TV Insider, the actress (one of Ryan Murphy’s classic muses) clearly stated her wish to continue being part of this narrative universe, declaring: “Dovrete trascinarmi fuori da questo universo scalciando e urlando.”
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