Jessica Lange returns to ‘American Horror Story’: Ryan Murphy’s celebrated anthology is officially back

American Horror Story fans are soon to be paid back in spades for their patience during the acclaimed show’s low point lately — Jessica Lange, a cornerstone of the series, is officially returning to reclaim her throne in Ryan Murphy’s popular anthology.

The upcoming 13th season of the thrilling series will further mark the return of several cast regulars from its previous iterations, while a major reunion is also on the cards.

Murphy’s production company made the initial announcement via its official Instagram channel, which displayed the names of American Horror Story’s new cast, set to the moody tune of Vera Lynn’s cover, I’ll Be Seeing You.

Cast

Alongside Lange, the show’s new cast is set to welcome back: Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, and Leslie Grossman. Murphy will further reunite with Ariana Grande, who is also joining the latest cast, her previous collaboration with the prolific television writer and director being the first season of the 2015 comedy series, Scream Queens.

For the record, Lange had not starred in the series since 2018’s Apocalypse season — same as Bassett, Bates, and Sidibe. Whereas Paulson and Peterson will return to the fold following their last appearance in 2021’s Double Feature.

It might also be worth noting that despite having worked with Murphy before, Grande is the only cast member making her AHS debut from the lineup announced so far.

Plot and release

Though plot details are still under wraps, Variety has reported that the return of “so many past stars has caused fans to speculate that Season 13 may return to the story of a previous season, particularly Season 3, 2013’s ‘Coven’”.

Furthermore, announced on Halloween this year, American Horror Story season 13 will be released during the next spooky season — Halloween 2026.

Why Jessica Lange left ‘AHS’

In a 2013 interview with Entertainment Weekly, American Horror Story’s biggest fan favourite performer reflected on her decision to quit the show.

“It ends up being a lot of time during the year being committed to something. I haven’t done that for a long time. It’s like doing a stage play between the rehearsal and the run. This is a 6-month commitment every year. That will be four years in a row. I want to have more time to myself I guess,” said Lange.

In 2015, Ryan Murphy also shared his thoughts on Jessica Lange’s departure from his series during a conversation with Deadline.

“I think she wanted some time off, but Jessica is somebody that is always about the role, in every season on this show,” he said. “I think if I came up with something extraordinary for her, if I could come up with a great character, she’s all about that, and she’s told me that, if you have something great after I sort of get my rest then let’s keep talking, so I’ll do that.”

Looks like Murphy has been successful in wooing one of his most revered leading ladies to pick up the mantle once again.