The full cast of American Horror Story: 1984 has finally been revealed by Ryan Murphy, teasing the usual blend of new and familiar faces. Created by Murphy and Brad Fulchuk, American Horror Story is an anthology series where each season featuring a new - though sometimes overlapping - story and collection of characters. Across the already-aired eight seasons, the show has tackled such settings as an asylum, a freak show, and most recently, an apocalypse. Garnering a number of awards for its varied cast members - including a Golden Globe for Lady Gaga - American Horror Story have already been renewed through season 10.
Though the overall plot tends to be a closely-guarded secret in the run-up to the premiere, it was previously announced that American Horror Story season 9 would be officially subtitled ‘1984’ and have a slasher theme. Since then, details regarding the ever-shifting cast has emerged. AHS stalwart Emma Roberts was the first to be confirmed as returning. The actress made her AHS debut in American Horror Story: Coven, before returning for Freak Show, Cult, and last season’s Apocalypse. It was also revealed, for the first time in the show’s history, that Evan Peters would not be starring. Equally, Sarah Paulson will not return. Instead, it was announced that Angelica Ross had been cast. Ross is currently the star of another Murphy production: FX’s Pose.
Posting on his personal Instagram, Murphy opted to celebrate the first day of filming with an official cast announcement. He then proceeded to post a series of videos that, in true American Horror Story fashion, eschewed the usual tradition of such announcements. Instead, each snippet was done as though part of a camera test, blending the equal parts ominous and campy tones with which the show has become synonymous. Alongside Roberts, the returning cast also includes Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, and Cody Fern. John Carroll Lynch, who played Twisty the Clown in American Horror Story season 4, also makes a return. Check out the videos - in all their hilariously 80’s glory - below:
The new faces joining the cast (and donning their short shorts) include DeRon Horton, Zach Villa, and Glee’s Matthew Morrison. This isn’t the only project Murphy has in the works. The super-producer recently signed a deal with Netflix. As part of that deal, he is producing a film adaptation of The Prom, starring Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep. He will also re-team with Paulson on a One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest prequel series, Ratched.
In terms of American Horror Story: 1984, the video doesn’t reveal the characters’ names. It does, however, convey each of their defining characteristics - right down to a recurring penis gag for one. Ross’ character, meanwhile, can be seen with a stethoscope, clearly setting her up as the camp’s resident medic. Equally, Lynch’s character looks every bit as intense and creepy as Twisty himself was. It also has a very Friday the 13th vibe, living up to its retro-slasher film intentions. And potentially having even more 80s homages than Stranger Things.
For each detail revealed by the videos, however, they pose an equal amount of questions that are sure to fuel much speculation from fans. Most notably, is the style of the videos. Could it be that what audiences will see later this year will actually be a film within a series, with the confirmed actors themselves playing actors on the set of a horror production? It would be certainly in keeping with such previously meta seasons as American Horror Story: Roanoke. Whatever the case, fans will find out for sure when the series finally airs.
More: What to Expect from American Horror Story Season 9
American Horror Story: 1984 premieres Sept. 18 on FX.
Source: Ryan Murphy/Instagram
