Hold onto your witches hats, AHS fanatics! Ryan Murphy just dropped the ultimate Halloween treat, confirming a star-studded cast for Season 13, including iconic returns from Jessica Lange and Evan Peters, plus a thrilling debut for Ariana Grande.
TL;DR- Iconic Cast Returns: Jessica Lange, Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Gabourey Sidibe, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, and Leslie Grossman are all back for Season 13.
- Ariana Grande Makes Her AHS Debut: The pop superstar and Wicked lead is joining the anthology horror series, reuniting with her Scream Queens co-stars Emma Roberts and Billie Lourd.
- Halloween 2026 Premiere: Get ready for new scares, as American Horror Story Season 13 is officially set to hit FX in October 2026, marking the show's longest-ever hiatus.
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The Ultimate Halloween Treat: Ryan Murphy Pulls Out All the Stops
Well, if this isn't the best Halloween news we've heard in ages, we don't know what is! Ryan Murphy, the twisted genius behind American Horror Story, decided to celebrate the spooky season by unveiling the first round of casting for the show's highly anticipated 13th season. And let's just say, he went big. Like, really big.
The announcement came straight from Ryan Murphy Productions' Instagram page, complete with that signature AHS font, a hauntingly perfect song ("I'll Be Seeing You" by Vera Lynn), and a quote that instantly sent chills down every fan's spine: "Surprise, b. I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me." If you know, you know. And if you don't, you're about to find out why this reveal is so absolutely epic.
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Legendary Comebacks: Fan Favorites Return to the Horror House
We're talking about returns that fans have been dreaming about for years! Leading the charge, after nearly a decade away from a main role, is the incomparable Jessica Lange. Her last regular appearance was way back in Season 4's Freak Show, though she did grace us with a guest spot as Constance Langdon in Apocalypse (Season 8) in 2018. This is especially wild because, earlier this year, when asked about returning, Lange famously quipped, "Oh Christ, no. I haven't done it for more than 10 years, 12 years, so, no, I'm not doing it." Well, Ryan Murphy clearly has his ways!
"Surprise, b. I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me."
— Emma Roberts' Madison Montgomery (via Ryan Murphy's announcement)But the good news doesn't stop there. Prepare yourselves for the triumphant return of other beloved AHS veterans who haven't graced our screens in a while:
- Evan Peters: Our resident chameleon, last seen in Season 10's Double Feature. He's been a staple since Murder House and his absence from recent seasons left a gaping hole. Fans (and apparently Sarah Paulson at the Emmys!) have been clamoring for his comeback, and now it's happening!
- Sarah Paulson: Another cornerstone of the franchise, Paulson also last appeared in Double Feature (Season 10) and took a two-season break. Her dynamic presence is always a highlight, and her return alongside Peters is a dream come true for many.
- Angela Bassett: The powerful and captivating Bassett last terrified and thrilled us in Season 8's Apocalypse. Her roles, from Marie Laveau to Ramona Royale, are iconic, and we can't wait to see what she brings next.
- Kathy Bates: A horror legend in her own right, Bates hasn't been back since Apocalypse either. Her unforgettable performances, often stealing every scene, are a welcome sight.
- Gabourey Sidibe: After her memorable turns, including the powerful Queenie, Sidibe's return following her last appearance in Apocalypse is another exciting addition to this reunion.
These actors have been instrumental in shaping the American Horror Story universe, playing a multitude of distinct and often terrifying characters across its varied seasons. Their long-awaited comebacks for Season 13 signal a potential return to the show's roots, promising performances that draw on their deep history with the anthology format.
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A Fresh Face (Sort Of!): Ariana Grande Joins the Spooky Fun
Adding another layer of superstar wattage to this already stacked lineup is Ariana Grande! While she's a newcomer to the American Horror Story specific series, she's no stranger to Ryan Murphy's creative universe. Many will remember her scene-stealing role as Chanel #2 in Murphy's satirical slasher series, Scream Queens, back in 2015.
This means a mini-Scream Queens reunion is on the cards! Grande will be joining her former co-stars Emma Roberts (who played Chanel Oberlin) and Billie Lourd (who was Chanel #3) for AHS Season 13. Given Grande's recent success as Glinda in the highly anticipated Wicked movies (with Wicked: Part II hitting theaters November 21), her leap back into television, especially a horror anthology, is generating massive buzz. It'll be fascinating to see her bring that star power to a darker, more dramatic role within the AHS world.
Also returning to round out this incredible ensemble are other familiar faces from recent seasons and past fan-favorites:
- Emma Roberts: A frequent Murphy collaborator, Roberts just starred in the most recent season, Delicate, and has graced numerous other seasons like Coven and 1984.
- Billie Lourd: Known for her versatile roles in AHS, Lourd was also a key player in Delicate and brings a unique energy to the series.
- Leslie Grossman: Grossman has become a beloved fixture in the AHS ensemble, offering both comedic relief and dramatic depth, and was also in Delicate.
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"Surprise, B!" What Does This Hint About the Season's Theme?
That iconic "Surprise, b" line? It's from Emma Roberts' character, Madison Montgomery, a truly unforgettable witch from American Horror Story: Coven (Season 3) and later reprised in Apocalypse. This, combined with the sheer number of Coven cast members returning (Lange, Paulson, Peters, Bassett, Bates, Sidibe, Roberts were all in Coven or Apocalypse with Coven characters), has set the internet ablaze with speculation.
Could Season 13 be a direct sequel or another crossover event focusing on the witches of New Orleans? The accompanying song, Vera Lynn's "I'll Be Seeing You," a classic about being haunted by memories, also feeds into this theory. Murphy has a history of revisiting past storylines and characters, as seen with Apocalypse tying together Murder House, Coven, and Hotel. It feels like the stage is perfectly set for a return to the Coven, or at least a story deeply intertwined with its legacy.
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When Can We Scream Again? Mark Your Calendars for Halloween 2026!
The waiting game for American Horror Story fans can be agonizing, but at least we have a firm date now! The Instagram post from Ryan Murphy Productions confirmed that Season 13 will premiere on FX in time for Halloween 2026. Yes, that's Halloween 2026, so mark October 31st on your calendars.
This means the show will have taken a two-and-a-half-year hiatus between Season 12 (Delicate, which aired from September 2023 to April 2024) and Season 13. This is the longest break in the series' history, surpassing even the COVID-19 related delay in 2020. While it's a long wait, the caliber of this confirmed cast suggests that Murphy is truly taking his time to craft something special and worth the extended anticipation. A hiatus this long, especially after a divisive season like Delicate, could indicate a significant creative reset or a massive new vision for the anthology.
Why This Season is Shaping Up to Be an Unmissable Event
The return of so many foundational cast members, particularly Jessica Lange, combined with the exciting addition of Ariana Grande, positions American Horror Story Season 13 as a monumental event for the franchise. Ryan Murphy has often been praised for his ability to attract and maintain an incredible ensemble, and this lineup is a testament to the show's enduring appeal and the loyalty of its actors.
The informal tone of the announcement ("Surprise, b") directly speaks to the long-standing, dedicated fanbase who have followed these actors through multiple terrifying, dramatic, and often bizarre narratives. It acknowledges their patience and rewards it with a cast that feels like a true celebration of AHS history. Whether it's a direct continuation, a spiritual successor, or an entirely new nightmare, one thing is clear: American Horror Story Season 13 is poised to deliver a captivating and conversation-starting season that fans have eagerly awaited.
- Ryan Murphy Productions Instagram Post (Official Announcement)