American Horror Story will be back for season 14
After its biggest-ever premiere, American Horror Story has already been renewed — and the season number may raise an eyebrow.
Well, here we go again—American Horror Story is back for yet another round. If you thought the horror anthology was going to pack it in after that star-loaded thirteenth season, you can forget it. The network’s just given it the green light for a season 14. Honestly, are we surprised? Not really, considering the latest outing has broken its own streaming records—so much for thirteen being an unlucky number.
American Horror Story season 13 pulled in a record-breaking 4 million views in its first four days, landing itself firmly on Nielsen’s Streaming Top 10.
Season 13: A Greatest Hits Parade?
This most recent series has gone all out on the casting front. Jessica Lange finally returned, which fans have been clamouring for, and she’s joined by the likes of Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, Leslie Grossman, and Joey Pollari. The call sheet doesn’t stop there: Avantika, Jamie Brewer, Elle Chapman, Berto Colon, Alex Consani, Frances Conroy, Mat Fraser, Seth Gabel, Orlando Jones, Paul Anthony Kelly, John Carroll Lynch, Tig Notaro, Madelaine Petsch, Fedor Steer, Mena Suvari, Zach Villa, and John Waters also pop up. Some of them are even double-dipping, taking on more than one character as is the show’s tradition at this point.
- Jessica Lange: Long-awaited return, major role
- Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters: Classic AHS mainstays, back again
- Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates: More returning heavy-hitters
- Massive supporting cast—multiple roles, plenty of cameos
The numbers don’t lie—it seems fans were absolutely up for it. The season 13 premiere brought in 4 million viewers in its first four days and held its ground on the Nielsen Streaming Top 10. It’s the biggest streaming launch this show’s ever managed. With a roster like that, you’d almost be mad not to tune in—if only out of curiosity to see who’s playing what this time.
Should It Have Ended?
I have to say, at this point it seems like natural curtain call territory. Even the brass behind the scenes reportedly agreed that, had ratings taken a nosedive, season 13 would have been a ‘go out with a bang’ situation—the kind of finale built for nostalgia and send-offs. Let’s be real, 13 seasons also has a certain symmetry for a horror series. But numbers talk, and so, apparently, does our addiction to returning cast drama.
Review Reaction: Not Exactly a Fresh Start
Not everyone’s over the moon, mind. Our own Alex Maidy found the first three episodes anything but groundbreaking. Here’s what he had to say in his review:
“I’m all in for a really good scary story, even one that may not be terrifying if it can manage to be fun and original. American Horror Story 13 is neither of those things. It’s hard to watch this show and not feel like you’ve been there and done that, with even the character design and the jump scares feeling like repeats of things we’ve seen in the 12 prior seasons. As much as I enjoy seeing Jessica Lange back in a major role, as well as Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters doing what they do best, this season of American Horror Story doesn’t feel as much like a greatest hits as it does a farewell tour.”