American Horror Story Season 13: Iconic Cast Returns, Grande Joins!

Get ready, AHS fans! Ryan Murphy just dropped a massive bomb on Halloween, confirming the star-studded cast for American Horror Story Season 13, and it's absolutely packed with legends, a pop superstar, and plenty of "Surprise, bh" energy!

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop on AHS 13

• Pop icon Ariana Grande is officially joining the cast of American Horror Story Season 13, her first scripted TV role in nearly a decade.
• Fan-favorite Jessica Lange is making a shocking return to the franchise, alongside other beloved OGs like Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and Emma Roberts.
• All signs (and a cheeky quote) point to a possible return or continuation of the beloved Coven storyline, with the new season expected to premiere on Halloween 2026.

Get Ready for a Grand Return: Ariana Grande Joins the AHS Universe

We've got some chillingly good news to spill! Season 13 of American Horror Story is shaping up to be one for the history books, and the biggest headline has to be the casting of none other than pop sensation Ariana Grande. Yep, you read that right! Our "Thank U, Next" singer is diving headfirst into Ryan Murphy's twisted world.

This isn't Grande's first rodeo with Murphy and co-creator Brad Falchuk. Fans with a keen eye for horror-comedy might remember her from their short-lived but memorable series, Scream Queens, where she played the hilarious Chanel #2 a decade ago. It’s been a while since she graced our TV screens in a scripted role, with her focus recently on her epic movie role as Glinda in the highly anticipated Wicked films. Seeing her back in the horror game is going to be an absolute treat!

Speaking of Scream Queens, this AHS casting is turning into a mini-reunion! Grande will be sharing the screen once again with her former Chanel co-stars, Emma Roberts (who played Chanel Oberlin) and Billie Lourd (Chanel #3). We're officially manifestating some seriously iconic group scenes with these three back together!

The OG Queens of Scream are Back: Jessica Lange's Shocking Reversal

While Ariana Grande's casting is huge, the internet practically broke when the announcement video from Ryan Murphy Productions also revealed a name that many thought was lost to the AHS universe forever: Jessica Lange!

If you're a long-time fan, you know Jessica Lange IS American Horror Story for many. She blessed us with unforgettable performances in the first four seasons and a guest appearance in Season 8's Apocalypse back in 2018. But earlier this year, Lange seemed pretty firm on her stance about not returning. In an interview at the Glasgow Film Festival, when asked about coming back for Season 13, she famously quipped:

"Oh Christ, no. I mean, I haven't done it for more than 10 years, 12 years, so, no, I'm not doing it."

— Jessica Lange, earlier this year

Well, it looks like Ryan Murphy has some serious persuasive powers, because her return is now confirmed, and fans are ecstatic! Her last main role was in Freak Show, making this a truly momentous comeback. The thought of seeing her back in action is enough to send shivers down our spines in the best way possible.

A Full House of Horror Royalty: More Fan Favorites Return

But the star power doesn't stop there! Season 13 is basically an American Horror Story "Avengers: Assemble" moment, bringing back a whole host of beloved franchise regulars. Prepare yourselves for:

• Sarah Paulson: Another undeniable AHS icon, last seen in Double Feature (Season 10, 2021).
• Evan Peters: The ultimate chameleon of AHS, also last seen in Double Feature (Season 10, 2021).
• Angela Bassett: Her powerful presence has been missed since Apocalypse (Season 8, 2018).
• Kathy Bates: A true legend, returning after her last appearance in Apocalypse (Season 8, 2018).
• Gabourey Sidibe: Another welcome face returning from Apocalypse (Season 8, 2018).
• Leslie Grossman: A more recent addition to the Murphy-verse who also appeared in Season 12's Delicate.
• Emma Roberts: Fresh off Delicate, she's back for more!
• Billie Lourd: Also returning from Delicate, rounding out the Scream Queens reunion.

It's truly a dream team for long-time AHS devotees. The sheer number of returning heavy hitters is unprecedented and has sparked a lot of chatter about what kind of season this could possibly be.

Decoding the Madison Montgomery Quote: Is Coven Season 13's Theme?

The announcement video posted by Ryan Murphy Productions on Instagram (which dropped perfectly on Halloween, by the way!) wasn't just a list of names. It came with a very specific, very iconic line: "Surprise, bh. I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me."

Any true AHS fan knows exactly who said that: Emma Roberts' wonderfully wicked character, Madison Montgomery, from the beloved Coven (Season 3) and Apocalypse (Season 8) seasons. This is a massive hint that Season 13 could be a direct continuation or a revisit to the world of the witches from Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies.

Given the returns of Sarah Paulson (Cordelia Goode), Angela Bassett (Marie Laveau), Kathy Bates (Madame Delphine LaLaurie), Gabourey Sidibe (Queenie), and Jessica Lange (who played Fiona Goode in Coven), alongside Emma Roberts herself, it's not a stretch to believe we're headed back to New Orleans. Apocalypse famously merged the Coven and Murder House storylines, and many fans felt there were still loose ends left dangling. Could this be our chance for closure, or perhaps a whole new chapter for our favorite coven?

Beyond the Witches: Could This Teaser Hint at an Alien Crossover?

Adding another layer to the mystery, the announcement video played Vera Lynn's haunting cover of "I'll Be Seeing You." While it's a fittingly eerie tune for AHS, some super-sleuth fans are digging even deeper, connecting it to a widely circulated (though unofficial) story about NASA playing the song to the Mars rover Opportunity as it lost power with the poignant message: "My battery is low and it is getting dark."

Now, this is where speculation really takes flight! If Murphy is leaning into this famous urban legend, could it hint at a crossover beyond just Coven? Fans are wondering if we might see elements of Asylum (Season 2), which famously featured aliens. A "witches meets aliens" season would certainly be an unexpected and wildly ambitious mashup, even for AHS! While it's just a theory for now, it's exactly the kind of unexpected twist Ryan Murphy loves to throw at us.

The show's producers, 20th Television, have kept details under wraps, but these teasers are certainly keeping the conversation alive and well!

Mark Your Calendars: When Can We Expect AHS Season 13?

After all this exciting news, the burning question is: When can we actually see this epic season? The announcement teased a premiere date of Halloween 2026. Yes, that's a bit of a wait, but trust us, with a cast like this and the potential for such a rich storyline, it's going to be worth every terrifying minute.

For context, Season 12 of American Horror Story, titled Delicate, just wrapped up its run on FX from September 2023 to April 2024. It featured Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, and Leslie Grossman, who are all returning for Season 13, alongside new faces like Kim Kardashian. So, if the past is any indicator, Season 13 will likely follow a similar release schedule, dropping episodes weekly on FX and streaming on Hulu.

FAQs About American Horror Story Season 13

When does American Horror Story Season 13 premiere?

American Horror Story Season 13 is expected to premiere on Halloween 2026.

Who is in the cast of American Horror Story Season 13?

The confirmed cast members for AHS Season 13 include Ariana Grande, Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, and Leslie Grossman.

What is the rumored theme for American Horror Story Season 13?

While an official theme hasn't been announced, the teaser's use of Emma Roberts' Madison Montgomery quote ("Surprise, bh. I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me") and the return of many key cast members from Coven and Apocalypse strongly suggest a return to, or continuation of, the witch storyline. Some fan theories also hint at a potential crossover with Asylum (aliens) due to the song choice in the teaser.

Where can I watch American Horror Story?

New episodes of American Horror Story typically premiere on FX and are available to stream the next day on Hulu. Past seasons are also available on Hulu.

Sources

• Variety
• Deadline
• TV Insider
• Vulture
• FandomWire
• Ryan Murphy Productions (Instagram)