Major details of the first Jessica Lange-less American Horror Story season, American Horror Story: Hotel, have finally been released. Ryan Murphy and company have put out a promo video starring their new leading lady, Lady Gaga or her hand anyway. This comes after a Comic-Con weekend where the finer points of the season and American Horror Story at large were discussed.

Though Lady Gaga was not present at San Diego Comic-Con 2015, Murphy did talk about her American Horror Story: Hotel character. At Gaga’s request her character will be evil. She joined the series with the desire to play an evil character and Ryan Murphy was happy to oblige. Though it should be mentioned that things like morality and evil are pretty fluid and subjective on a show like American Horror Story. Nevertheless Lady Gaga’s character certainly looks menacing. The long fingered and highly decorative hand that is featured in the promo doesn’t appear like it would be attached to a benevolent woman.   

As far as the other characters, Ryan Murphy discussed them at Comic-Con as well, specifically those played the actors who were sitting with him in front of the San Diego audience. He released almost all their names and they are as follows:

  • Evan Peters as Mr. March
  • Sarah Paulson as Hypodermic Sally
  • Matt Bomer as Donovan
  • Kathy Bates as Iris
  • Angela Bassett as… To be determined but Murphy said that she and all the above listed characters will be “evil.” 

As for plot details, Murphy didn’t say much but Hotel will explore American Horror Story more as interconnected universe. Characters from previous seasons are set to check in at the hotel. This will be the next step in Ryan Murphy’s long plan to tell some kind of overarching narrative between all the American Horror Story seasons. 

As for Jessica Lange, Murphy admitted that she won’t be appearing in Hotel but there is a chance for her to return in the future. He referenced the possibility that Lange might simply be taking the year off. She could return in the next season or beyond. 

But what do you think? Are you excited by the promo featuring Lady Gaga? Do you think hotels are inherently scary as circuses, asylums and old houses? Are you looking forward to a possible return from Jessica Lange or should she stay retired?

American Horror Story returns in October on FX

(image and video courtesy of FX)

 

Derek Stauffer

Contributing Writer, BuddyTV

Derek is a Philadelphia based writer and unabashed TV and comic book junkie. The time he doesn’t spend over analyzing all things nerdy he is working on his resume to be the liaison to the Justice League.