Ryan Murphy Said Your Favorite American Horror Story Characters Are Returning For Season 13
· Thought Catalog
Updated 10 minutes ago, July 28, 2026
Ryan Murphy has officially confirmed one of the biggest details about American Horror Story Season 13—and it’s not what many fans were expecting.
While viewers have spent months speculating that the upcoming season would be a return to Coven, Murphy says Season 13 is actually an “all-star season” that reunites characters from across the entire American Horror Story universe.
Speaking on the red carpet with Entertainment Tonight, Murphy revealed that the new season will feature returning characters from all 12 previous seasons, “including characters we thought would never come back.”
The cast lineup alone is enough to get longtime fans excited.
Sarah Paulson is reportedly returning to play six or seven different characters, while Jessica Lange will reprise all four of her iconic American Horror Story roles. Evan Peters is also set to return as five different characters. Murphy additionally name-dropped Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, and Billie Lourd, with the ensemble joining forces to face what he described as “the ultimate evil.”
According to Murphy, this crossover event has been years in the making.
He explained that he spent a long time developing the story and believes the strength of the script is what convinced several actors to return after previously declining opportunities to come back to the franchise. He even shared Jessica Lange’s reaction after hearing the pitch, saying her response was, “Oh sh*t, now I have to do it.”
For fans worried that the massive crossover signals the end of the series, Murphy also offered some reassurance. Despite bringing together so many beloved characters, he says Season 13 will not be the final installment of American Horror Story.
Season 13 will consist of 13 episodes and premieres on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
After more than a decade of twists, alternate timelines, and interconnected stories, Season 13 appears to be the franchise’s most ambitious crossover yet, giving fans the chance to revisit some of the show’s most memorable characters in a single storyline.
Which American Horror Story character are you most hoping makes one last return?
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