American Horror Story: Freak Show

by Daniel Falconer | 23 August 2014

With three majorly successful seasons gone by already, Ryan Murphy is bringing American Horror story back for its fourth this October.

Once again there will be a brand new story brought to life and though many and much of the plot details are kept closely guarded and underwraps, here are some things we do know about the forthcoming episodes.

1) Jessica Lange is back for what she's said will be her final season of American Horror Story. She's been described as a German expat called Elsa Mars, who's taking her 'Freak Show' to Florida.

2) Recurring castmembers Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett and Frances Conroy are all expected to play 'Freak Show' performers. Denis O'Hare, Emma Roberts, Jamie Brewer and Gabourey Sidibe will all also be making appearances.

3) Sarah Paulson's character is a two-headed woman - one called Bette and the other called Dot. This was revealed on Twitter by Ryan Murphy, and pictures have been uploaded to social media teasing the character since.

Sarah Paulson as Bette and Dot / Credit Twitter @MrRPMurphy

4) Michael Chiklis has joined the show for the first time and is expected to play Evan del Toreado, ex-husband to Kathy Bates' character Ethel Darling, and father to Evan Peters' character, Jimmy Darling.

5) Rivalry could be on the cards again for Angela Bassett's and Kathy Bates' characters. Bassett plays Desiree Dupre - del Toreado's current spouse.

6) After Neil Patrick Harris sent a tweet to Ryan Murphy, the star could be set to join the show for a guest-role after the two seemed to work something out for the actor to get involved.

7) Finn Wittrock has also joined the cast, though information on in what capacity hasn't been revealed.

8) The Clown Killer is a role going to be taken on by John Carroll Lynch, and Murphy promises he'll be "the most terrifying clown" ever seen on the small screen.

9) Kathy Bates couldn't sleep "until six in the morning" after filming her first scene, hinting that this could be the most warped and terrifying American Horror Story season to-date.

Kathy Bates in American Horror Story: Coven / Credit: FOX

10) Most of the new season will take place in Jupiter, Florida with a 1950s backdrop, and Murphy described it in early stages of production as a "period piece", which is a "combination of two time periods". Despite the setting however, it is being filmed in New Orleans.

11) Murphy contacted Dylan McDermott and Connie Britton about potential roles, but neither have been confirmed to star as of yet.

12) Wes Bentley - better known as Seneca Crane from The Hunger Games - is to play a role in the two-part Halloween special as "Eddie, a dark tormentor from Kathy Bates' past who is hell-bent on revenge." He sounds lovely.

13) The series will look at 'who are the real freaks?' - those who are laughed at and made to perform in a show, or those we deem as 'normal'?

14) James Levine is back to add his touch to the Freak Show soundtrack after picking up an Emmy nomination following American Horror Story: Coven.

15) Patti LaBelle has been recruited by Ryan Murphy, but not for a musical role. Instead, it's expected she'll play the mother to Gabourey Sidibe and she will be a 'local townsperson who begins to unravel the murderous secrets of Twisty the clown killer'.

16) The Guinness World Record holder for being the world's smallest woman has been cast in the show. Jyoti Amge stands at 2' 0.6" and has been pictured behind the scenes with Jessica Lange.