American Horror Story. – Foto: reprodução
Ryan Murphy announced the cast for the 13th season of American Horror Story this Friday, October 31, 2025, during Halloween. The production, aired on FX, brings together iconic actors from the series, with hints of a connection to the third season, Coven, from 2013. Jessica Lange’s return, absent since 2018, stands out in the announcement.
Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters, recurring presences, join the team alongside Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, and others. The newcomer is Ariana Grande, who debuts in the franchise after appearing in Scream Queens. The premiere will take place on Halloween 2026.
The series, created by Murphy and Brad Falchuk, maintains the tradition of horror anthology with independent narratives. This season promises to revive elements of the witches’ coven set in New Orleans.
- Sarah Paulson as Cordelia Foxx in the original Coven;
- Evan Peters in multiple standout roles;
- Jessica Lange returns as Fiona Goode after years.
‘AMERICAN HORROR STORY’ season 13 is seemingly related to ‘AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN.’
Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Ariana Grande, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, Leslie Grossman and Jessica Lange will star. pic.twitter.com/KDMyYAxHq6
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) October 31, 2025
Main cast confirmed for the production
Sarah Paulson leads the group of veterans in the 13th season of American Horror Story. She played Cordelia Foxx in Coven and returned in Apocalypse, the eighth chapter. Paulson expressed recent interest in new series projects during an event in New York in September 2025.
Evan Peters, another pillar of the franchise, appears for the tenth time. His last role was in Double Feature in 2021. Peters discussed ideas with Murphy at a private dinner last year, which accelerated his inclusion.
Connections to the 2013 Coven saga
The third season of American Horror Story, Coven, aired between October 2013 and January 2014, drew 5.54 million viewers in the premiere episode. The plot follows a coven of witches in New Orleans, with flashbacks to the Salem witch trials in 1692 and periods like 1830, 1910, 1960, 1970, and 1990.
Angela Bassett revives Marie Laveau, the voodoo queen from the original plot. Her performance earned an Emmy nomination in 2014. Kathy Bates, as Madame LaLaurie, completes the trio of Emmy winners from the season.
Emma Roberts returns as Madison Montgomery, the sarcastic character who faced power tests. Billie Lourd, daughter of Carrie Fisher, enters as Mallory, one of the central witches in Apocalypse. Gabourey Sidibe revives Queenie, transferred to the hotel in Hotel but linked to the coven.
Leslie Grossman, known for eccentric roles, closes the main cast. Her trajectory includes multiple seasons, from Asylum to Double Feature.
Ariana Grande’s debut in the franchise
Ariana Grande appears in the 13th season after collaborating with Murphy on Scream Queens from 2015 to 2016. The singer, winner of two Grammys, has 400 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Her role remains confidential, but the announcement generated excitement among fans.
Grande’s inclusion expands the series’ appeal to younger audiences. She continues her music career with the album Eternal Sunshine in 2024, which sold 1.6 million copies in the US.
Impact of the Halloween announcement
Creator Ryan Murphy revealed the cast via Instagram with the phrase “Surprise, bitch! Bet you thought you’d never see me again.” The post accumulated millions of views in hours. Fans speculate about a crossover with Apocalypse, which united Coven and Murder House in 2018.
The franchise totals 12 seasons by 2025, with Delicate as the most recent. Coven received 17 Emmy nominations, including miniseries, with wins for Lange and Bates.
- Coven: 13 episodes, record audience;
- Apocalypse: Crossover with three seasons;
- Season 13: Premiere on October 31, 2026.
Jessica Lange, an icon absent from AHS for 12 years, resumes Fiona Goode, the manipulative Supreme. Her return, confirmed by Murphy, meets fan requests since 2018. Lange won two Oscars outside TV, in 1983 and 1994, and her comeback elevates the production’s profile. The 76-year-old actress balances theater and film with roles in Feud and The Politician. In Coven, her performance as the aging witch captivated critics, earning an Emmy for best actress. Season 13 explores similar dynamics, focusing on survival and supernatural inheritance, according to initial teasers. Murphy plans filming in 2025, prioritizing locations in New Orleans for historical authenticity.
