“American Horror Story” is revolutionizing the way shows are written, produced and presented. The show, which aired its first season last fall to tremendous acclaim by both fans and critics, is formatted as an anthology.
This means that each season will feature a new cast of characters, sets, storyline and monsters.
Virtually nothing from the first season will be included in future seasons, except for a few key actors and the creators/producers, Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, who are responsible for “Glee.” Murphy also created “Nip/Tuck,”and “The New Normal.”
The producers are adamant that, despite vast changes, the premise of the show will remain the same: Each season will focus on a new cast of highly developed characters who spend their daily lives haunted by mythical creatures.
Last season was set in a ghost-filled Los Angeles mansion (aka the Murder House) that was featured on a tour of the city. The general idea was, as one character stated: Don’t go in there or “you’re gonna regret it!”
This season will be set in Briarcliff Manor, an asylum for the criminally insane during the 1960s.
The story will be centered around Jessica Lange’s new sadistic nun character, Sister Jude. Lange won an Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actor’s Guild Award for her role as Constance last season.
Zachary Quinto, Evan Peters, Frances Conroy, Eric Stonestreet, Sarah Paulson and Lily Rabe will all return to play new characters, as well.
Maroon 5 lead singer and “The Voice” coach Adam Levine will make his acting debut with Jenna Dewan, playing a set of characters known as “The Lovers.”
James Cromwell is cast as a doctor and possible Nazi.
Joseph Fiennes will play a clergyman and love interest for Lange’s character.
Lizzie Brocheré, Chloe Sevigny, Britne Oldford, Blake Sheldon and Mark Consuelos have all been cast as patients.
Some fans predict that aliens are what will haunt these patients. Murphy said the new monsters compliment this year’s “themes about sanity and tackling real life horrors.”
