Listen, I know we’ve been burned before. Ryan Murphy says “the witches will be back” and we all scream, then we get a half-hearted cameo and a shrug emoji. But this time? This time he actually delivered. American Horror Story Season 13 is coming in hot this September, and it’s bringing back every single one of your favorites. Like, all of them. Even the ones we thought said “never again.”
Let’s get into it, because the premiere date alone had me screaming into my group chat. The new season kicks off on Thursday, September 24, at 9/8c on FX and Hulu. And here’s the twist—it’s not the usual hour-long episode. We’re getting 13 half-hour episodes. That means more chaos per minute, less time to catch your breath. I think that’s a good thing, honestly.
So, Who’s Coming Back? (Hint: Everyone You Love)
Ryan Murphy posted that cast list on Instagram last Halloween and I nearly choked on my candy corn. We’ve got Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, Leslie Grossman, and then the big one. Jessica Lange. Yes, that Jessica Lange. The one who said “Oh Christ, no” when asked if she’d ever return. But girl, she lied. She’s back as Constance Langdon, standing in front of that iconic Murder House window like she never left.
And it’s not just a cameo. Ryan Murphy literally posted first-look photos of her in full Constance mode, and then he had the nerve to say “Day One.” That’s when we all knew this wasn’t just a season, it’s a family reunion.
The Coven Is Going to New York City
Okay, so here’s the juicy part. All the signs point to a massive mash-up of fan-favorite seasons. Murphy said he knows which seasons the fans loved most: Murder House, Asylum, Coven, Freak Show, and Cult. And he’s not just picking one, he’s blending them like a chaotic smoothie. Sarah Paulson is back as Cordelia Goode, and Murphy confirmed they’ve rebuilt the entire Robichaux Academy. The witches are in New York City, and we’ve got set photos to prove it.
But here’s the wild part: some actors are playing multiple characters from different seasons, sometimes in the same scene. Evan Peters was apparently talking to himself as two different people. That’s the kind of unhinged energy I’m here for.
The Teaser We Didn’t Know We Needed
On August 13, they dropped a teaser trailer that had me clutching my pearls. We saw Jessica Lange as Constance, Evan Peters as Kai from Cult, Sarah Paulson as Cordelia, Angela Bassett as Marie Laveau, Emma Roberts as Madison Montgomery, and even John Carroll Lynch as Twisty the Clown. Oh, and Rubber Man. Because of course.
The teaser didn’t give away the plot, but it gave us the vibe: this is a greatest-hits album of AHS’s most chaotic characters, and they’re all in the same room. I’m not sure we’re ready.
Why the Premiere Date Changed
Originally, we were supposed to get this season on Halloween. I had my costume, my snacks, everything. But then Murphy announced on Instagram that it’s coming early. He said, “Coming this September.” And I was like, okay, I’ll take it. Maybe he wanted to get the chaos started before the actual spooky season. Smart move. We’ll be in the middle of our fall lemonade and fall sweaters, and boom, murder witches.
Who Else Is Joining the Party?
Beyond the returning legends, we’ve got some new or returning folks that are making this even more interesting. Paul Anthony Kelly is joining after his breakout role in Murphy’s JFK Jr. series. John Carroll Lynch is back as Twisty, and Mat Fraser is back as Paul the Illustrated Seal from Freak Show. Mena Suvari is returning as Elizabeth Short, a.k.a. the Black Dahlia. And John Waters—yes, that John Waters announced he has a big new role. That’s a whole lot of weird in one place.
Also, Frances Conroy came out of acting retirement to reprise Myrtle Snow. I mean, Myrtle Snow. That’s a treat, even if it’s a cameo.
What’s the Plot? Let’s Speculate
We don’t have a full synopsis yet, but the evidence points to a witchy, wild, time-hopping adventure. The cast, the set photos, the “witches in New York” chatter, it’s giving Coven meets Apocalypse meets Murder House. Murphy said some actors will play two characters from different seasons, which means we could see Cordelia interacting with Constance, or Kai talking to a witch. It’s going to be a beautiful mess.
And honestly, after the last few seasons that were all over the place, I’m ready for a return to the weird, campy, horror-romp that made me fall in love with this show in the first place. The witches are back, baby. And I’m not mad about it.
So mark your calendars, get your snacks, and prepare to scream, American Horror Story Season 13 is coming September 24. We’ll be watching together, and I’ll have my group chat ready.