The second season of the American

horror Horror may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Genres *Horror fiction, a genre of fiction ** Japanese horror, Japanese horror fiction **Korean horror, Korean horror fiction * Horror film, a film genre *Horror comics, comic books focusing o ...

anthology In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs or excerpts by different authors. In genre fiction, the term ''anthology'' typically categ ...

television series '' American Horror Story'', subtitled ''Asylum'', takes place in 1964 and follows the stories of the staff and inmates who occupy the fictional mental institution Briarcliff Manor, and intercuts with events in the past and present. The

ensemble cast In a dramatic production, an ensemble cast is one that is composed of multiple principal actors and performers who are typically assigned roughly equal amounts of screen time.Random House: ensemble acting Linked 2013-07-17 Structure In contrast to ...

includes Zachary Quinto, Joseph Fiennes, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe,

Lizzie Brocheré Lizzie Brocheré (, born 22 March 1985) is a French film, television, and theatre actress who began working as a child actress in 1995. She moved to English-speaking roles in the early 2010s, with appearances in dark comedic and dramatic pieces ...

James Cromwell James Oliver Cromwell (born January 27, 1940) is an American actor and activist. Some of his best-known films include ''Babe'' (1995), '' Star Trek: First Contact'' (1996), ''L.A. Confidential'' (1997), '' The Green Mile'' (1999), ''The Queen'' ...

, and Jessica Lange, with all returning from the first season, except Fiennes, Brocheré, and Cromwell. Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for cable network FX, the series is produced by

20th Century Fox Television 20th Television (formerly 20th Century Fox Television, 20th Century-Fox Television, and TCF Television Productions, Inc.) is an American television production company that is a division of Disney Television Studios, part of The Walt Disney Compa ...

. ''Asylum'' was broadcast between October 17, 2012, to January 23, 2013, consisting of 13 episodes and attracting moderate ratings success for the network. Like its predecessor, the second season was well received by television critics, particularly for the performances of Lange, Cromwell, Quinto, Paulson, Peters and Rabe. As a result, the season garnered seventeen

Primetime Emmy Award The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the Primetime ...

nominations, more than any other show, including Outstanding Miniseries or Movie, and four acting nominations for Lange, Paulson, Cromwell, and Quinto, with Cromwell winning for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie. In addition, Quinto and Paulson won their respective supporting categories at the

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. Despite being formally anthological, some of the cast members reprise their roles in the fourth and the sixth seasons, '' Freak Show'' and '' Roanoke'', such as Rabe, Naomi Grossman, Paulson, and James Cromwell, portraying Sister Mary Eunice McKee, Pepper, Lana Winters, and a young version of Dr. Arthur Arden, also known as Hans Grüper, respectively.

Cast and characters

Main

* Zachary Quinto as

Dr. Oliver Thredson The second season of the American horror anthology television series '' American Horror Story'', subtitled ''Asylum'', takes place in 1964 and follows the stories of the staff and inmates who occupy the fictional mental institution Briarcliff Mano ...

* Joseph Fiennes as Monsignor Timothy Howard * Sarah Paulson as Lana Winters * Evan Peters as

Kit Walker The Phantom is a fictional costumed crime-fighter who operates from the fictional country of Bangalla. The character was created by Lee Falk for the adventure comic strip ''The Phantom'', which debuted in newspapers on February 17, 1936. The ...

* Lily Rabe as Sister Mary Eunice McKee *

as Grace Bertrand *

as Dr. Arthur Arden * Jessica Lange as

Sister Jude Martin The second season of the American horror anthology television series ''American Horror Story'', subtitled ''Asylum'', takes place in 1964 and follows the stories of the staff and inmates who occupy the fictional mental institution Briarcliff Manor ...

Recurring

* Naomi Grossman as

Pepper Pepper or peppers may refer to: Food and spice * Piperaceae or the pepper family, a large family of flowering plant ** Black pepper * ''Capsicum'' or pepper, a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae ** Bell pepper ** Chili ...

Fredric Lehne Fredric George Lehne (born February 3, 1959) is an American actor of film, stage, and television. Acting since 1978, he has appeared in more than 200 films, mini-series, and television episodes, as well as stage productions across the United St ...

Frank McCann Francis Daniel McCann, better known as Frank McCann (December 15, 1938 – April 2, 2021) was a historian, an American Brazilianist expert in Brazilian military history. He was a professor emeritus at the University of New Hampshire. Emeritus ...

* Britne Oldford as

Alma Walker The second season of the American Horror (genre), horror Anthology series, anthology television series ''American Horror Story'', subtitled ''Asylum'', takes place in 1964 and follows the stories of the staff and inmates who occupy the fictional m ...

Chloë Sevigny Chloë Stevens Sevigny (, born November 18, 1974) is an American actress, model, filmmaker and fashion designer. Known for her work in independent films, often appearing in controversial or experimental features, Sevigny is the recipient of se ...

as Shelley * Frances Conroy as

Shachath The second season of the American horror anthology television series ''American Horror Story'', subtitled ''Asylum'', takes place in 1964 and follows the stories of the staff and inmates who occupy the fictional mental institution Briarcliff Manor ...

* Jenna Dewan as

Teresa Morrison The second season of the American horror anthology television series ''American Horror Story'', subtitled ''Asylum'', takes place in 1964 and follows the stories of the staff and inmates who occupy the fictional mental institution Briarcliff Manor ...

* Clea DuVall as

Wendy Peyser The second season of the American horror anthology television series ''American Horror Story'', subtitled ''Asylum'', takes place in 1964 and follows the stories of the staff and inmates who occupy the fictional mental institution Briarcliff Mano ...

* Mark Engelhardt as

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* Dylan McDermott as

Johnny Morgan Johnny Morgan (February 20, 1947 – May 17, 2023) was an American politician. He was a member of the Mississippi Senate The Mississippi Senate is the upper house of the Mississippi Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Mis ...

* Barbara Tarbuck as

Mother Superior Claudia The second season of the American horror anthology television series ''American Horror Story'', subtitled ''Asylum'', takes place in 1964 and follows the stories of the staff and inmates who occupy the fictional mental institution Briarcliff Manor ...

* Mark Consuelos as Spivey * Matthew John Armstrong as Detective Byers *

Adam Levine Adam Noah Levine (; born March 18, 1979) is an American singer and songwriter. He serves as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the pop rock band Maroon 5. Levine began his musical career in 1994 with the band Kara's Flowers, of which ...

Leo Morrison The second season of the American horror anthology television series ''American Horror Story'', subtitled ''Asylum'', takes place in 1964 and follows the stories of the staff and inmates who occupy the fictional mental institution Briarcliff Manor ...

* Mark Margolis as

Sam Goodman Sam Goodman (March 19, 1931 – August 5, 1991) was an American Southern gospel singer/songwriter born in Bremen, Alabama. Goodman performed with his siblings in The Happy Goodman Family, where Sam sang baritone and first tenor. He also had ...

* Joel McKinnon Miller as Detective Connors

Guest stars

Joe Egender Joe Egender (born 1976/77), is an American actor, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for his collaborations with The Butcher Brothers, '' Holy Ghost People'', and his television roles. Career Film Egender has made several films wi ...

as Billy Marshall * Ian McShane as

Leigh Emerson The second season of the American horror anthology television series ''American Horror Story'', subtitled ''Asylum'', takes place in 1964 and follows the stories of the staff and inmates who occupy the fictional mental institution Briarcliff Manor ...

* Vanessa Mizzone as Lois * Franka Potente as Anne Frank / Charlotte Brown

Episodes

Production

Development

In October 2011, the FX Network renewed American Horror Story for a second season. In December 2011, series co-creator Ryan Murphy announced his plans to change the characters and location for the second season. He did say, however, that some actors who starred in the first season would be returning. "The people that are coming back will be playing completely different characters, creatures, monsters, etc.

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stories are done. People who are coming back will be playing entirely new characters," he announced. In May 2012, Murphy revealed that the setting for the second season would be an institution for the criminally insane that Jessica Lange's character operates in the 1960s, called Briarcliff Manor and located on the East Coast. In an interview with '' Entertainment Weekly'', Murphy spoke about originally wanting to set the season in prison, "I think at one point as we were spitballing season two before we landed on the asylum idea, we had actually talked about doing the second season in a prison but then '' Alcatraz'' came along and stole that idea. It was never very definitive, but I always liked that idea. I think an insane asylum for us was probably much more effective." Talking about the season, Murphy commented, "It's a completely different world and has nothing to do with season 1; there's not a mention of season 1... The second season is set in a completely different time period." He later said, "Everyone looks so different; people who were enemies last year are allies this year. The sets are amazing. It's 1964, so everything looks very different." Murphy had also told '' TV Guide'' that there would not be any

ghost A ghost is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that is believed to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to rea ...

s in the second season, "I think ''the story'' is horrifying," he said. "The story is a period piece in a mental institution based largely on truth, and truth is always scarier than fiction." In August 2012, Murphy announced the season's new name by stating, "We picked 'Asylum' because it not only describes the setting – an insane asylum run by Jessica Lange's character which was formerly a tuberculosis ward – but also signifies a place of haven for the unloved and the unwanted," he said. "This year's theme is about sanity and tackling real-life horrors." Previous consulting producer Tim Minear was promoted to executive producer and continued writing for the series, beginning with the season premiere. He also scripted the season finale.

Casting

In March 2012, Murphy revealed that the second season had been conceptualized around Jessica Lange, saying, "This will really be the Jessica Lange show, so I'm very excited about it. We are designing this amazing new opposite of the Constance character for her. She and I have spoken about different things. She has a lot of ideas and has a lot of input into her character. She told me some things she has always wanted to play as an actress." She portrayed Sister Jude, an apparent sadistic nun. Zachary Quinto, who had a recurring role as

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in the first season, was confirmed as one of the leads in March 2012. He portrayed Dr. Oliver Thredson, a psychiatrist with groundbreaking treatment methods that go against Sister Jude's. Comparing his new character to his previous one, Quinto said, "He's much more grounded and in control." At the PaleyFest 2012, Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, and Lily Rabe were confirmed to return as main cast members for the second season. Paulson portrayed Lana Winters, a lesbian reporter whose girlfriend is coerced by Sister Jude into having her committed to the asylum, Rabe portrayed Sister Mary Eunice, an innocent and loyal second-in-charge to Sister Jude, and Peters portrayed Kit Walker, a man who's accused of murdering his wife, Alma ( Britne Oldford), but he claims aliens abducted her. Murphy had stated that Peters, "who was last season's ultimate badass bad boy," would be the hero of the show this season. It was reported in March 2012 that

Maroon 5 Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. It currently consists of lead vocalist Adam Levine, keyboardist and rhythm guitarist Jesse Carmichael, lead guitarist James Valentine (musician), James Valentine, drummer Matt ...

frontman

was in final negotiations to appear in the second season and that he would play Leo, a "contemporary character and half of a couple called "The Lovers," according to Tim Stack of '' Entertainment Weekly''. Levine revealed to E! in June 2012 that his character is "newly married" and would go with his wife on their honeymoon. "I don't want to tell you too much... but it's gory."

Jenna Dewan-Tatum Jenna Lee Dewan (; born December 3, 1980) is an American actress and dancer. She started her career as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson, and later worked with artists including Christina Aguilera, Pink (singer), Pink, and Missy Elliott. She is ...

played his wife, Teresa. In April 2012,

was cast to play Grace, a character described originally as "a fierce, ferocious, extremely sexual, and dangerous wild-child sexpot" to rival Jessica Lange's character, but the role was later heavily revamped. In May 2012,

signed on to co-star as Dr. Arthur Arden, a man who works in the asylum, and who is revealed to have been a Nazi.

played the role of Shelley, a nymphomaniac whose husband has her placed in the asylum. In June 2012, Joseph Fiennes joined the main cast as Monsignor Timothy Howard, a possible love interest for Jessica Lange's Sister Jude. Later that month, Chris Zylka was cast to play Daniel, who was touted as "the most beautiful boy in the world and a deaf-mute"; however, Zylka was later replaced by an unmentioned actor, due to his reluctance to shave his head for the role. Britne Oldford was cast in the recurring role of Alma, Peters' character's supposed dead/missing wife. In July 2012, Mark Consuelos was cast as a patient named Spivey, who was described as a degenerate bully. Also in July, Clea DuVall was cast as Wendy, a school teacher and Lana's girlfriend, and Franka Potente was cast in an unspecified role, which was later revealed to be Anne Frank / Charlotte Brown. In August 2012, Blake Sheldon was cast in the dual role of Devon and Cooper – both described as "tall, thin and psychopathic." Ultimately Sheldon would portray only Cooper. ''Murder House'' actress Frances Conroy guest-starred as Shachath, the Angel of Death. Eric Stonestreet was scheduled to guest star this season as a killer, but his appearance never came to fruition. Mark Margolis recurred as Sam Goodwin, while David Chisum and

Amy Farrington Amy Farrington (born September 20, 1966) is an American actress and model who is best known for her role as Stacey Devers on ''The Michael Richards Show''. Farrington currently portrays Detective Lt. Piper Lynch in the CBS drama series ''S.W.A.T ...

guest-starred as a caring husband and a troubled mother, respectively. In mid-October, Ian McShane joined the season in the recurring role of Leigh Emerson, a psychotic man who murders people while wearing a

Santa Claus Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a Legend, legendary figure originating in Western Christianity, Western Christian culture who is said to Christmas gift-bringer, bring ...

suit; he has a vendetta against Sister Jude. Dylan McDermott appeared during the second half of the season as Johnny Morgan, the modern-day Bloody Face.

Filming

Principal photography for the second season began on July 17, 2012. The exteriors for the second season were filmed in

Hidden Valley, Ventura County, California Hidden Valley is a valley in the Santa Monica Mountains, in southeastern Ventura County, Southern California. The unincorporated community in the valley is an equestrian ranch community with single family houses on parcels of land. Residents re ...

, a rural area outside Los Angeles. The exterior filming of Briarcliff was done at the Old Orange County Courthouse. Series production designer Mark Worthington stated, "It's referred to as Richardsonian and Romanesque. It's named after an architect named Henry Hobson Richardson. He developed the style in the 19th century. It's circular arches, heavy stone. It's creepy, great for horror. It's dark, dark shiny brick. That's how we got away from all the hospital light stuff. There's still an institutional feel to it."

Reception

Critical response

''American Horror Story: Asylum'' has received positive reviews from critics. It scored 65 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 23 reviews. The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 84% approval rating with an average rating of 7.27/10 based on 44 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "''American Horror Story: Asylum'' crosses boundaries to shock and scare with sexy subplots and some innovative takes on current social issues." James Poniewozik, from '' Time'', said of the early episodes of the second season, "''AHS: Asylum'' feels like a more focused, if equally frenetic, screamfest. It's also gorgeously realized, with a vision of its '60s institution setting so detailed you can smell the stale air and incense." Maureen Ryan of '' The Huffington Post'' said, "It's to the credit of ''Asylum'' writers, directors and cast that the emotional pain of the characters often feels as real as their uncertainty and terror." However, Verne Gay of ''

Newsday ''Newsday'' is an American daily newspaper that primarily serves Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, although it is also sold throughout the New York metropolitan area. The slogan of the newspaper is "Newsday, Your Eye on LI", and f ...

'' gave the season a C grade, writing that it "has some good special effects, just not much of a story to hang them on." Linda Stasi of the '' New York Post'' thought this season was "over the top", stating, "I need to enter

n asylum N, or n, is the fourteenth Letter (alphabet), letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the English alphabet, modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is English alphabet# ...

myself after two hours of this craziness." In a round-up of outstanding entertainers and programs of 2012, Jess Cagle of '' Entertainment Weekly'' praised "its ballsy, go-for-broke, don't-tax-the-attention-span-of-any-gnats-who-might-be-watching approach", writing, "You know a show has a lot going on when the occasional appearance of extraterrestrials is no more surprising than spotting a Prius on '' Modern Family''. FX's grand experiment ''American Horror Story'' came howling back for its second terrifying season with less of a story...than a macabre, unforgettable, discordant symphony of images and characters... ''American Horror Story: Asylum'', set mostly in the 1960s, took the current zeitgeist – with all its free-floating fear, nefarious undercurrents, and outrageous anxiety – skinned it alive, and turned it into a lamp to illuminate our collectively twisted psyche and voracious appetite for distraction."

Awards and nominations

In its second season, ''American Horror Story: Asylum'' was nominated for 89 awards and won 28. * The Pan-American Association of Film & Television Journalists never announced the winners.

Ratings

The first episode of the season gained a 2.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49 and garnered 3.85 million viewers, marking the highest numbers for the series and the highest numbers for the night's cable competition.

Home media

Soundtrack

Digital singles

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:American Horror Story (season 2) American Horror Story (season 2) American Horror Story (season 2) 2010s American drama television series 2010s American LGBT-related drama television series Abortion in fiction Alien abduction in television 02 Angels in television Cannibalism in fiction Catholicism in fiction Cultural depictions of Anne Frank Demons in television Fiction about the Devil Fiction about interracial romance Fiction set in 1964 Filicide in fiction Human experimentation in fiction Lesbian-related television shows Television about mental health Mythology in popular culture Nazis in fiction Nuns in fiction Primetime Emmy Award-winning television series Rape in television Serial killers in television Suicide in television Television series set in the 1960s Television series set in the 2010s Television shows about exorcism Television shows about spirit possession Television shows set in Massachusetts UFO-related television Works about discrimination Works about racism Works set in psychiatric hospitals