Plot details have been slowly trickling in ever since, and we know now that AHS season six will be set in two different time periods, both in the present and, as Murphy described it, “with echoes of the past”. While the show has featured flashbacks before, and has, naturally, been set in several different eras, the sixth season could be placing a more significant emphasis on time shifts.
Likewise, it might also be building further on the greater mythology of American Horror Story, which is particularly pertinent considering Murphy recently confirmed that all of the seasons are connected. This came as no surprise to fans of the show, who previously noted that it must all be part of a bigger, intertwined universe when characters from previous seasons began turning up elsewhere.
As for the theme this time around, Murphy has remained characteristically, intriguingly vague. But that hasn’t stopped the cast giving their thoughts on what it could, or should, be about.
Somewhat weirdly, returning actor Wes Bentley hinted that there may be a Ghost Ship theme this season:
“I’ve heard good ideas; I’ll go off of those. One was like a ship, like a Ghost Ship kinda thing. It would be really hard to do, but I think it would be interesting. I even heard someone say summer camp and at first I was like ‘Hmmm…’ But then I thought about it and that’s not a bad idea.”
Meanwhile, fellow returning cast-member Dennis O’Hare hinted that he’d prefer something a bit more classical:
“…my mind is on ancient Rome right now so I’ll probably go way, way back like that and mix it with something supernatural so that maybe we can time travel. I like the idea of time travel and maybe a bizarre virus.”
Elsewhere, Cheyenne Jackson opined that he’d quite like to do a period piece:
“I’d love to see a period piece, again. I know this year … I heard they’re going to be more in the present; I just love period pieces, I love the costumes and the eye candy of it.”
Murphy has been teasing fans for months now, suggesting that, among others, AHS season six might focus on children. And, at one point, infamous Internet creepy pasta Slender Man was rumored to be making an appearance. However, the Slenderman piece has been refuted.
The show-runner suggested, in an interview earlier this year, that he was focusing on “childlike concepts” and the the idea of seeing kids in horror triggering certain kinds of deep-seated fears in the audience:
“If you look at horror tropes, the innocence of children, that sort of wide-eyed entryway into some world is always very dramatic and satisfying.”
Casting is always a hot topic for American Horror Story, and Paleyfest confirmed that several notable cast-members from Hotel are returning for season six, including; Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Sarah Paulson, Finn Wittrock, and Matt Bomer.
It was later confirmed that the wonderful Leslie Jordan, who starred in Coven, would also be returning, along with fan favourite Evan Peters, while Emma Roberts, who’s currently shooting season two of Murphy’s Scream Queens, also said during interviews that she’d be interested in coming back. Lady Gaga, who nabbed a Golden Globe for her portrayal of The Countess on Hotel, previously announced her return to the show, during a radio interview with Z100 in NYC. Back in May, she was photographed having lunch with Bradley Cooper and the rumour mill immediately went into overdrive, suggesting that he may be about to join the AHS cast, too.
Sources told US Magazine at the time that the two were working on a project together, so it seems like the Hollywood superstar could really be taking part in the macabre madness this time around–if we’re lucky.
Season six of American Horror Story will be shot in L.A, much like Hotel. There’s no word yet on when it’s set to debut, but we’ll keep you updated on all the further, need-to-know details as they become available.
