Fans of twisted tales and spine-chilling surprises have waited patiently since the eerie finale of American Horror Story: Delicate back in April 2024. That season, with its blend of Hollywood glamour and supernatural dread, left everyone craving more. Now, whispers about Season 13 swirl through Hollywood like fog over a haunted bayou. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming season.
American Horror Story season 13 Release Date Speculation
No official premiere date has dropped, leaving horror enthusiasts glued to every interview and social media crumb. American Horror Story traditionally unleashes new terrors in the crisp air of September or October, aligning with the Halloween spirit that fuels its twisted narratives. Seasons like Murder House and Coven kicked off in October, while NYC and Delicate favored early fall.
Production hasn’t started as of mid-2025, a delay chalked up to the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes, plus Murphy’s packed slate of projects like Grotesquerie and Monsters. Recent buzz from the 2025 Emmys points to a 2026 rollout. Expect cameras to roll by late 2025, aiming for a fall 2026 debut on FX, with episodes streaming next-day on Hulu.
American Horror Story season 13 Expected Cast
The AHS magic thrives on its rotating ensemble, where stars reinvent themselves episode after episode. Season 13’s lineup stays under wraps, but teases suggest a nostalgic pull back to the “original gangster cast.” Murphy spilled to Variety in October 2024 about dinners with Paulson and Peters, hinting at their return after sitting out Delicate. Paulson, the queen of multifaceted roles from Cordelia Goode to Audrey Tindall, confirmed her involvement in a Good Morning America chat, while Peters—fresh off Double Feature‘s eccentric scribe—could reprise his chameleon-like intensity.
Emma Roberts, who anchored Delicate as the frantic Anna Alcott, might circle back; her track record spans witches, killers, and con artists. Veterans like Zachary Quinto (last seen in NYC and Delicate) and Billie Lourd could pop up, adding layers of familiarity. Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett, absent lately, fuel fan wishlists for a grand reunion.
On the flip side, fresh blood always injects chaos. Kim Kardashian’s polarizing turn as the sinister Siobhan in Delicate sparked debate—could she snag another spot? Patti LuPone, a NYC standout, downplayed her odds in a recent interview, saying “Yeah, I don’t think so,” while Jessica Lange slammed the door shut on any return. Fan speculation runs wild: imagine Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart trading cannabis quips for cryptid hunts, or WWE’s Nikki Cross unleashing mayhem in a swamp-set slaughter. These April Fools’ gems aside, Murphy’s history of celeb cameos—like Lady Gaga in Hotel—keeps doors open for surprises.
Potential returning cast members include:
- Sarah Paulson (Mamie Eisenhower in Double Feature): Brings emotional depth for any theme; remains a fan-favorite anchor.
- Evan Peters (Austin Sommers in Double Feature): Master of villainy; teases reunion vibes.
- Emma Roberts (Anna Alcott in Delicate): Versatile scream queen; ties to recent seasons.
- Zachary Quinto (Mr. Whitely in Delicate): Creepy reliability; bridges old and new eras.
- Kim Kardashian (Siobhan Corbyn in Delicate): Bold energy; controversy sells.
American Horror Story season 13 Potential Plot
Plot specifics? Murphy guards them like a voodoo curse. “There’s a couple things in contention,” he told Variety, admitting he hasn’t “really landed” on a theme. The anthology’s hallmark—self-contained sagas with crossover Easter eggs—leaves endless possibilities. Past seasons drew from real horrors: Asylum‘s institutional abuse, NYC‘s AIDS crisis. Season 13, hitting that unlucky 13, could lean into superstition.
Back in 2021, Murphy polled fans on Instagram for ideas: murderous mermaids, Wild West hauntings, Bloody Mary mirrors, Salem witch hunts, plagues, werewolves, or cryptids. Sirens and Bloody Mary topped votes, sparking theories of oceanic dread or urban legend chills. Some buzz points to a “swamp massacre at a makeshift party,” blending Southern Gothic with slasher flair. Others dream of tying loose ends—like Coven‘s witches clashing with Apocalypse‘s antichrist—in a multiverse mashup.
Whatever unfolds, expect AHS‘ signature cocktail: campy gore, social satire, and heart-pounding twists. Episode count likely hovers at 9-10, per recent trends, packed with practical effects and shadowy visuals. No novel adaptation this time, but Murphy’s tease of “ambitious and unlike anything” echoes Delicate‘s bold swing.