American Horror Story Cast Discusses Legacy at PaleyFest Panel

The Coven witches of American Horror Story season 13 gathered for a PaleyFest panel in New York City on Thursday night, where they discussed their show's legacy and the current all-star crossover season.

Co-executive producer Lou Eyrich accepted the inaugural PaleyFest Award on behalf of FX's horror anthology from Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. This recognition was a testament to the series' enduring popularity and influence in the world of television.

Moderated by a close-knit group, including stars Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, and Leslie Grossman, Thursday's panel provided an opportunity for the cast to share their experiences and insights about working on the show. The discussion also gave fans a chance to hear from the actors directly.

Jessica Lange had been absent as a series regular since season four's Freak Show, but she made a triumphant return for season 13. When asked how she was convinced to come back, Lange revealed that Ryan Murphy personally called her to ask if she would participate in the new season.

Lange specified one condition for her return: she wanted to revisit all four of her iconic characters from previous seasons. These characters included Constance Langdon (Murder House), Sister Jude (Asylum), Fiona Goode (Coven), and Elsa Mars (Freak Show). Lange had a deep affection for the repertory company aspect of the show, where actors would play multiple roles throughout its run.

According to Lange, Murphy was particularly enthusiastic about bringing back Constance Langdon. This character was one of Lange's favorites, and she mentioned it as a key factor in her decision to return to the series. By revisiting all four characters, Lange was able to reconnect with the show's roots and collaborate once again with her fellow cast members.

The PaleyFest panel provided an intimate setting for the actors to share their thoughts on American Horror Story's enduring legacy and its current season. The discussion offered a unique glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the show, showcasing the camaraderie among the cast members and their dedication to bringing this iconic series to life.

The concept of American Horror Story: Freak Show originated from Lange's fascination with circuses and her desire to explore the darker side of this world. She pitched the idea to Murphy, sending him a book on circuses that sparked his interest in creating a freak show theme.

Lange's vision for the season was to capture the essence of an era coming to an end, where traditional circus acts were being phased out. Her idea was met with enthusiasm by Murphy, who suggested incorporating the concept of one of the last remaining freak shows on the road.

The decision to film in New Orleans was a deliberate choice made by Lange, and it's a move that ultimately led to the creation of American Horror Story: Coven. Paulson notes that the city provided an ideal backdrop for the show, with its unique atmosphere and rich history adding depth to the narrative.

Lange's experience filming Freak Show was particularly memorable, with her favorite set being the one constructed outside of town. She describes it as a "lost in time" location with a magical quality, where the cast and crew were able to tap into their creative energy.

The opportunity for Lange to sing during the filming process was an added bonus, allowing her to showcase her musical talents despite not being a professional singer.

The return of Paulson to American Horror Story was already in motion when she received a call from creator Ryan Murphy regarding season 13. Her enthusiasm for the project was reignited upon learning that Evan Peters would be involved, and the prospect of reuniting with the larger Coven cast sealed her decision.

Paulson expressed interest in playing Lana Winters, a character from Asylum, but ultimately opted against it due to concerns raised by Peters about taking on that role again. She revealed that she had previously suggested playing Lana, only for the idea to be quickly dismissed.

The new season saw Paulson take on multiple roles, marking her return as a series regular after a brief absence since season 10. Her characters included Cordelia Goode from Coven, Hypodermic Sally from Hotel, Ms. Wilhemina Venable from Apocalypse, Mamie Eisenhower from Double Feature, and Tuberculosis Karen also from Double Feature.

Paulson recalled the experience of switching between roles, describing it as a hectic process involving frequent trips to the makeup trailer for hair changes and wigs. She humorously noted that Murphy had not approached her initially about which character she would play, unlike Lange's situation.

In contrast to Lange's involvement, Paulson was asked to take on multiple roles rather than a single one from the start, allowing her to showcase her versatility as an actress in American Horror Story.

Gabourey Sidibe offered a differing view on the sixth season of American Horror Story during the panel discussion.

Sidibe argued that Roanoke is a unique and layered show that rewards close attention from viewers. She suggested that even if some fans did not connect with the season, it still has value as part of the larger narrative.

In contrast to Sidibe's enthusiasm for Roanoke, Paulson had expressed reservations about the season earlier in the discussion. Despite their differing opinions on this particular installment, both actresses were able to find common ground and share their perspectives on their experiences working on the show.

A lighthearted moment came when Billie Lourd mentioned her favorite character from 1984, Montana, which also happened to be one of Lange's characters in that season. This brought attention to the fact that Lange had not seen any of the seasons she appeared in, including 1984.

Lange was candid about her lack of familiarity with the show, stating that she hadn't watched any of it, even the episodes featuring her own character.

Sidibe also hinted at the possibility of further storylines for Coven, suggesting that the end of season 13 may not be a definitive conclusion to the narrative.

The conclusion of season 13 may not be the end of the Coven storyline after all, according to key creatives behind American Horror Story. Production designer Eyrich hinted that her instincts also suggest the story is far from over.

Lange questioned whether the finale would bring a definitive close to the series, pointing out that creator Ryan Murphy had initially pitched this season as the last of the franchise. However, he has since changed his mind. Paulson playfully noted that Lange's claims of this being her final AHS appearance are nothing new.

In fact, Lange did admit to having mixed feelings about some characters' limited screen time, but ultimately seemed confident in her decision not to revisit them in future seasons. The Coven storyline may live on, but the curtain has seemingly fallen on the series as a whole.