Ryan Murphy has announced the star-studded cast for American Horror Story Season 13, featuring the return of Jessica Lange alongside familiar faces like Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters. The season is teased for a Halloween 2026 release, potentially revisiting witches from past installments. Ariana Grande joins the lineup for her AHS debut.
Cast Announcement
Ryan Murphy shared the cast list for American Horror Story Season 13 on Instagram, calling it an ultimate Halloween treat. The ensemble includes Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Ariana Grande, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, and Leslie Grossman. Murphy's post featured the quote, "Surprise, b*tch! I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me," hinting at a return of the witches from Seasons 3 (Coven) and 8 (Apocalypse).
Jessica Lange's Return
Lange, a foundational star of the series, previously played Constance Langdon in Season 1 (Murder House), Sister Jude in Season 2 (Asylum), Fiona Goode in Season 3 (Coven), and Elsa Mars in Season 4 (Freak Show). She made a brief appearance as Constance in Season 8. Despite her February statement of "Christ, no" to returning for Season 13, her inclusion marks an exciting comeback.
Ariana Grande's Debut
Grande makes her first appearance in American Horror Story, following her role as Chanel No. 2 in Ryan Murphy's Scream Queens. Her timing aligns with her recent portrayal of Glinda in the Wicked films, adding a layer of magical intrigue to her potential witch role.
Release and Teasers
No exact premiere date was given, but Murphy teased a "Halloween 2026" rollout. He has been hinting at the season since October 2024, including discussions with Paulson and Peters, and a June Instagram response promising something "cool" with Paulson.