Published Sep 10, 2026, 9:01 AM EDT
EXCLUSIVE: American Horror Story season 13 is coming later this month, and we have first looks at several new and returning characters.
Credit: Eric Liebowitz/FXAmerican Horror Story season 13 is gearing up to be the anthology's biggest installment yet, and ScreenRant has an exclusive first look at 10 new and returning characters.
The upcoming season, which is titled American Horror Story: 13, is officially arriving September 24th after initially being teased for a Halloween 2026 release. Direct details surrounding the upcoming season have been hard to come by, though we do know it will bring together aspects of previous seasons, including Murder House, Coven, Hotel, and Cult. 13 will also feature an impressive batch of returning cast members who will be reprising a slew of fan-favorite characters.
American Horror Story: 13 is a franchise crossover event, and it will see the return of Jessica Lange, Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, Emma Roberts, Angela Bassett, John Carroll Lynch, Kathy Bates, and so many other familiar faces. What's more, much of the returning cast will be playing several of their past characters.
In addition to first looks at some AHS newcomers, the exclusive images below reveal a few notable returning cast members stepping back into their memorable roles from past seasons:
- Winter Anderson (Billie Lourd)
- Mallory (Billie Lourd)
- Tate Langdon (Evan Peters)
- Mr. March (Evan Peters)
- Ophelia (Avantika)
- Morwenna (Alex Consani)
- Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt (Leslie Grossman)
- Mr. Phibes (John Waters)
- Kira (Madelaine Petsch)
- Papa Legba (Orlando Jones)
The exclusive images further confirm that Billie Lourd and Evan Peters are playing several of their past characters in American Horror Story: 13. Whereas Lourd will reprise her roles as Winter Anderson (Cult) and Mallory (Apocalypse), Peters is stepping back into some of his more villainous characters. The images show him as Tate Langdon (Murder House, Apocalypse) wearing the infamous Rubber Man suit, and Mr. March (Hotel) playing the piano. Season 13 is also bringing back Kai Anderson (Cult), who can be seen in the background of the image featuring his sister, Winter.
In addition to Kai, other notable American Horror Story vets appear in the background of some of the first looks, including Jamie Brewer. She's confirmed to be returning as Addie Langdon (Murder House), but the character in the background of Winter's image looks more like Nan (Coven, Apocalypse).
Speaking of American Horror Story: Coven characters, Emma Roberts' Madison Montgomery can be seen behind Alex Consani, who is playing a brand-new character named Morwenna. She and Avantika's Ophelia are "two of the newest witches to join the coven at its moment of crisis" as Miss Robichaux’s Academy is seemingly gearing up to face another threat.
Other new characters confirmed for American Horror Story: 13 that can be seen in the exclusive images above include Mr. Phibes (John Waters), a "medical specialist extraordinaire" who will be working closely with Constance Langdon (Jessica Lange) and Ben DeSoto (Joey Pollari). Madelaine Petsch will play Ben's girlfriend, Kira, a new character who is appropriately "obsessed with the number thirteen."
While Papa Legba is no stranger to the American Horror Story universe, we can confirm that Orlando Jones is taking over the role. The Coven character was previously played by the late Lance Reddick. Seeing how heavily Coven will be interwoven into season 13, the series made the choice to recast.
It's certainly exciting to see so many of these new and returning characters, even if it does raise more questions about what pulls them together from a story standpoint. Thankfully, we won't have to wait much longer before American Horror Story makes its grand return later this month.
FX’s “American Horror Story: 13” premieres with three episodes on Thursday, September 24, at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on FX and Hulu, and on Disney+ internationally.
Release Date October 5, 2011
Writers Halley Feiffer, Ned Martel, Crystal Liu, Charlie Carver, Kristen Reidel, Adam Penn, Douglas Petrie, Todd Kubrak, Reilly Smith, Jay Beattie, Dan Dworkin, Joshua A. Green, Akela Cooper, Asha Michelle Wilson
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Sarah Paulson
Tuberculosis Karen / Mamie Eisenhower
Which aspect of American Horror Story: 13 is most likely to keep you watching beyond the premiere?
Seeing iconic characters and cast members return
Seeing iconic characters and cast members return 0%The big crossover of Murder House, Coven, Hotel, Cult, and more
The big crossover of Murder House, Coven, Hotel, Cult, and more 0%The new witches and fresh characters being introduced
The new witches and fresh characters being introduced 0%Curiosity about how all the storylines connect in one season
Curiosity about how all the storylines connect in one season 0%The horror vibe and production style, regardless of specific characters
The horror vibe and production style, regardless of specific characters 0%
English (US) ·