‘AHS’ Season 13 Sets ‘Coven’ & ‘Apocalypse’ Reunion With Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, More

American Horror Story has just announced its cast for Season 13, and it looks like we might be returning to Miss Robichaux’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies.

On Halloween, October 31, Ryan Murphy revealed the cast list for the upcoming Season 13, and for American Horror Story fans, the list is reminiscent of the Coven and Apocalypse seasons. The cast list includes Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, Leslie Grossman, new addition Ariana Grande, and the big surprise, Jessica Lange.

While nothing is absolutely confirmed that this season will mark the return to New Orleans, the release date does seem a bit witchy: Halloween 2026.

The text on the post reads Roberts’ signature catchphrase as Madison Montgomery from the Apocalypse season: “Surprise, b***h. I bet you thought you’d seen the last of me.”

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American Horror Story has been disturbing, dismaying, and delighting dark-minded audiences ever since it first premiered on FX in October 2011, when a ghost-infested Murder House made the Harmon family its permanent residents.

Since then, co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk have introduced eerie asylums, cursed covens, sinister sideshow circuses, haunted hotels, and even the end of the world as part of the show’s macabre repertoire designed to scare and mesmerize viewers.

After a brief hiatus, the show is preparing to return, but when? Who will feature in the anthology’s next chapter? And what terrifying themes will it cover? Here’s a quick breakdown of what we know so far about the highly anticipated 13th season of the horror hit.

FX

When will American Horror Story Season 13 premiere?

According to Ryan Murphy’s Instagram post, the new season is set to premiere on Halloween, October 31, 2026.

The show was renewed for its 13th season back in January 2020, following the success of American Horror Story: 1984, which led to three additional seasons being ordered.

FX

Who will star in American Horror Story Season 13?

According to Murphy’s Instagram post, AHS players Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, and Leslie Grossman are set to return. Ariana Grande, who previously was in Scream Queens, will join as well to add to the wicked fun.

The big surprise is Jessica Lange, who previously said she would not return. In an interview in February 2025, Lange was asked if she would ever return to the anthology series, and the Oscar winner stated, “Oh Christ, no,” Lange said. “I mean, I haven’t done it for more than 10 years, 12 years, so, no, I’m not doing it.”

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However, Paulson and Peter were expected to return due to interviews given by Murphy and the cast earlier in the year.

In September 2025, at the Through Her Lens: Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program Luncheon in New York City, AHS muse Paulson said, “I hope to be doing another season.” She then added, “Wink, wink.”

What will American Horror Story Season 13 be about?

By the looks of the cast, it appears to be a Coven/Apocalypse reunion. The quip and the release date also lean towards a return to the witchier seasons of AHS.

In 2021, Murphy held an online poll through a now-disappeared Instagram Story, asking fans to vote on potential themes for upcoming AHS seasons. Options included murderous mermaids and sea sirens, a Wild West setting, Bloody Mary, Salem, a possible plague, werewolves, and cryptids, to name a few. From the poll, sirens, Bloody Mary, and a plague theme emerged as fan favorites.

Previously, Ryan Murphy hinted at the return of the witches. Back in 2018, during his Walk of Fame ceremony after Apocalypse’s 10-episode run, Murphy made the cryptic comment, “The witches will be back.”

American Horror Story, Season 13 Premiere, TBA, FX (next day on Hulu)