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 ...
media franchise
A media franchise, also known as a multimedia franchise, is a collection of related media in which several derivative works have been produced from an original creative work of fiction, such as a film, a work of literature, a television program or ...
fiction
Fiction is any creative work, chiefly any narrative work, portraying individuals, events, or places that are imaginary, or in ways that are imaginary. Fictional portrayals are thus inconsistent with history, fact, or plausibility. In a traditi ...
, with each individual season conceived as a self-contained
miniseries
A miniseries or mini-series is a television series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. "Limited series" is another more recent US term which is sometimes used interchangeably. , the popularity of miniseries format h ...
, following a different set of characters and settings, and a story line with its own "beginning, middle, and end." Some plot elements of each season and series are loosely inspired by true events. Many actors appear in more than one season and series, often playing a new character.
Actors who have appeared in two or more instalments of the franchise include: Sarah Paulson; Cuba Gooding Jr.; Connie Britton; Darren Criss; Finn Wittrock; Jon Jon Briones;
Billy Eichner
Billy Eichner (; born September 18, 1978) is an American comedian, actor, producer, and screenwriter. He is the star, executive producer, and creator of Funny Or Die's ''Billy on the Street'', a comedy game show that aired on truTV. The show ea ...
; Matt Bomer, who directed an episode of ''American Crime Story'';
Kaia Gerber
Kaia Jordan Gerber (born September 3, 2001) is an American model and actress. She is the daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber. After starring in a series of ad campaigns for fashion brands since debuting at Fashion ...
Chad James Buchanan
Chad James Buchanan (born August 28, 1993) is an American actor and model. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio.
Television
He is best known for his role as Hunter Morgan on ''Star'', and has appeared in several television shows including ''Jane the V ...
Charles Melton
Charles Michael Melton (born January 4, 1991) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Reggie Mantle in the CW series '' Riverdale'' (2017–2023) and Joe Yoo in ''May December'' (2023). His critically praised performance in the latte ...
Blake Shields
Blake C. Shields is an American film and television actor.
Biography
Shields was born in Ithaca, New York. He is the second child and has one older brother and two younger sisters. He spent most of his childhood globetrotting the world with his ...
; John Lacy;
Nico Greetham
Nico Greetham (born March 3, 1995) is an American actor and dancer. He played Calvin Maxwell in the television series ''Power Rangers Ninja Steel'' and as Nick in the musical film '' The Prom''.
Background
Greetham is a native of Woodbridge, Virg ...
Emmy Awards
The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...
.
Background
Creators Murphy and Falchuk began working on ''American Horror Story'' before their Fox series '' Glee'' began production. Murphy wanted to do the opposite of what he had done previously and thus began his work on the series. He stated: "I went from '' Nip/Tuck'' to ''Glee'', so it made sense that I wanted to do something challenging and dark. And I always had loved, as Brad had, the horror genre. So it just was a natural for me." Falchuk was intrigued by the idea of putting a different angle on the horror genre, stating that their main goal in creating the series was to scare viewers. "You want people to be a little bit off balance afterwards," he said.
In February 2011, FX officially announced that it had ordered a pilot for a possible series from Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, with both Murphy and Falchuk writing and Murphy directing. Dante Di Loreto was announced as executive producer. Production on the series began in April 2011. In July 2011, FX officially announced the project had been picked up to become a full series.
From the beginning, Murphy and Falchuk planned that each season of the series would tell a different story. After the first-season finale aired, Murphy spoke of his plans to change the cast 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.
he Harmons'
He or HE may refer to:
Language
* He (pronoun), an English pronoun
* He (kana), the romanization of the Japanese kana へ
* He (letter), the fifth letter of many Semitic alphabets
* He (Cyrillic), a letter of the Cyrillic script called ''He'' in ...
stories are done. People who are coming back will be playing entirely new characters," he announced. In November 2012, FX chief executive, John Landgraf, described the unique format of the series stating: " e notion of doing an anthological series of miniseries with a repertory cast—has proven groundbreaking, wildly successful and will prove to be trendsetting."
On October 7, 2014, it was announced that FX had ordered a 10-episode companion series titled '' American Crime Story'', developed by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. While each season of ''American Horror Story'' focuses on a new horror theme, each season of ''American Crime Story'' focuses on a new true crime story. On May 11, 2020, Murphy revealed that a
spin-off
Spin-off may refer to:
*Spin-off (media), a media work derived from an existing work
*Corporate spin-off, a type of corporate action that forms a new company or entity
* Government spin-off, civilian goods which are the result of military or gove ...
series named ''
American Horror Stories
''American Horror Stories'' is an American anthology horror television series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for FX on Hulu. Premiered on July 15, 2021, the series serves as the third installment in the '' American Story'' media franc ...
'' was being developed; it will feature self-contained anthological episodes, instead of a season-long story arc as featured in ''American Horror Story''. It was set to air on FX.
On August 13, 2021, it was announced that FX had ordered a new spin-off series ''American Love Story''. The first installment will depict the whirlwind courtship and marriage of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. On the same day, it was announced that FX had ordered a new spin-off limited series ''American Sports Story''. The first installment, based on the podcast ''Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.'' from '' The Boston Globe'' and Wondery, will focus on the rise and fall of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez.
Television series
''American Horror Story'' (2011–present)
In February 2011, FX officially announced that it had ordered a pilot for a possible series from Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, with both Murphy and Falchuk writing and Murphy directing. Dante Di Loreto was announced as executive producer. Production on the series began in April 2011. In July 2011, FX officially announced the project had been picked up to become a full series.
Each season of ''American Horror Story'' focuses on a new horror theme. The series premiered on October 5, 2011, and is broadcast on the cable television channel FX in the United States. In November 2011, it premiered internationally on the respective countries' Fox Networks Group.The first season, retroactively subtitled '' Murder House'', takes place in Los Angeles, California in 2011.It premiered on October 5, 2011, and concluded on December 21, 2011. The second season, subtitled '' Asylum'', takes place in Massachusetts in 1964 which premiered on October 17, 2012. The third season, subtitled ''
Coven
A coven () is a group or gathering of witches. The word "coven" (from Anglo-Norman ''covent, cuvent'', from Old French ''covent'', from Latin ''conventum'' = convention) remained largely unused in English until 1921 when Margaret Murray promote ...
'', takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2013 which premiered on October 9, 2013. The fourth season, subtitled '' Freak Show'', takes place in Jupiter, Florida in 1952 which premiered on October 8, 2014. The fifth season, subtitled '' Hotel'', takes place in Los Angeles, California in 2015 which premiered on October 7, 2015. The sixth season, subtitled '' Roanoke'', takes place in North Carolina during 2014–2016 which premiered on September 14, 2016. The seventh season, subtitled ''
Cult
In modern English, ''cult'' is usually a pejorative term for a social group that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs and rituals, or its common interest in a particular personality, object, or goal. This ...
'', takes place in the fictional suburb of Brookfield Heights, Michigan, during 2016–2017 which premiered on September 5, 2017. The eighth season, subtitled ''
Apocalypse
Apocalypse () is a literary genre in which a supernatural being reveals cosmic mysteries or the future to a human intermediary. The means of mediation include dreams, visions and heavenly journeys, and they typically feature symbolic imager ...
'', features the return of the witches from ''Coven'' as they battle the Antichrist from ''Murder House'' in an attempt to prevent the apocalypse which premiered on September 12, 2018. The ninth season, subtitled ''
1984
Events
January
* January 1 – The Bornean Sultanate of Brunei gains full independence from the United Kingdom, having become a British protectorate in 1888.
* January 7 – Brunei becomes the sixth member of the Association of Southeast A ...
'', takes place outside of Los Angeles during the 1980s which premiered on September 18, 2019. The tenth season, subtitled ''
Double Feature
The double feature is a motion picture industry phenomenon in which theatres would exhibit two films for the price of one, supplanting an earlier format in which one feature film and various short subject reels would be shown.
Opera use
Opera ho ...
'', includes two parts, and the first one takes place in 2021, focusing on a family who moves to Provincetown, Massachusetts, where the strange inhabitants begin to make an impact on their lives. In the second part, a group of students on a camping trip finds themselves embroiled in a terrifying and deadly conspiracy that has been preparing for decades which premiered on August 25, 2021.The eleventh season, subtitled '' NYC'', takes place in 1980s New York City, and focuses on a string of killings involving gay men, as well as the emergence of a new virus which premiered on October 19, 2022. In January 2020, FX renewed the series for an additional three seasons, including the eleventh season, bringing it to at least thirteen confirmed seasons.
Billy Eichner
Billy Eichner (; born September 18, 1978) is an American comedian, actor, producer, and screenwriter. He is the star, executive producer, and creator of Funny Or Die's ''Billy on the Street'', a comedy game show that aired on truTV. The show ea ...
Impeachment
Impeachment is the process by which a legislative body or other legally constituted tribunal initiates charges against a public official for misconduct. It may be understood as a unique process involving both political and legal elements.
In ...
'' premiered in September 2021. A potential fourth season, tentatively focusing on the rise and fall of
Studio 54
Studio 54 is a Broadway theater and a former disco nightclub at 254 West 54th Street in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Operated by the Roundabout Theatre Company, Studio 54 has 1,006 seats on two levels. The theater was ...
owners
Steve Rubell
Steve Rubell (December 2, 1943 – July 25, 1989) was an American entrepreneur and co-owner of the New York City disco Studio 54.
Early life
Rubell and his brother Donald grew up in a Jewish family in New York City. His father worked as a pos ...
spin-off
Spin-off may refer to:
*Spin-off (media), a media work derived from an existing work
*Corporate spin-off, a type of corporate action that forms a new company or entity
* Government spin-off, civilian goods which are the result of military or gove ...
series named ''American Horror Stories'' was being developed; it will feature self-contained anthological episodes, instead of a season-long story arc as featured in ''American Horror Story''. On June 22, 2020, it was announced that ''American Horror Stories'' would stream on FX on Hulu. ''American Horror Stories'' premiered on July 15, 2021, and its first season consists of seven episodes. On August 13, 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, Which premiered on July 21, 2022, and consists of eight episodes.
Matt Bomer, Gavin Creel, Sierra McCormick, Paris Jackson, Belissa Escobedo, Merrin Dungey, Selena Sloan, Valerie Loo, Ashley Martin Carter,
Kaia Gerber
Kaia Jordan Gerber (born September 3, 2001) is an American model and actress. She is the daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber. After starring in a series of ad campaigns for fashion brands since debuting at Fashion ...
, Aaron Tveit and Celia Finkelstein starred in the first two episodes. Other ''American Horror Story'' alums who appeared in the first season include Naomi Grossman, John Carroll Lynch,
Charles Melton
Charles Michael Melton (born January 4, 1991) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Reggie Mantle in the CW series '' Riverdale'' (2017–2023) and Joe Yoo in ''May December'' (2023). His critically praised performance in the latte ...
Chad James Buchanan
Chad James Buchanan (born August 28, 1993) is an American actor and model. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio.
Television
He is best known for his role as Hunter Morgan on ''Star'', and has appeared in several television shows including ''Jane the V ...
Nico Greetham
Nico Greetham (born March 3, 1995) is an American actor and dancer. He played Calvin Maxwell in the television series ''Power Rangers Ninja Steel'' and as Nick in the musical film '' The Prom''.
Background
Greetham is a native of Woodbridge, Virg ...
Ronen Rubinstein
Ronen Rubinstein ( , he, רונן רובינשטיין ; born ) is an Israeli-born American actor, environmental activist and lead singer of the rock band Nights in Stereo. He is best known for his roles as T.K Strand in '' 9-1-1: Lone Star,'' ...
Vanessa E. Williams
Vanessa Estelle Williams (sometimes professionally credited as Vanessa A. Williams) is an American actress and producer. She is best known for her roles as Maxine Chadway, Maxine Joseph–Chadway in the Showtime (TV network), Showtime drama seri ...
,
Michael B. Silver
Michael Buchman Silver (born July 8, 1967) is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his recurring role as Assistant District Attorney Leo Cohen in the television series ''NYPD Blue''. As of summer 2019, Silver has recurring roles on bot ...
, Kimberley Drummond,
Jake Choi
Jake Choi (born January 14, 1985) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Miggy on the ABC comedy ''Single Parents''. He previously starred in '' Front Cover'', an LGBTQ independent film. Choi has also appeared in '' Younger'', ''E ...
Blake Shields
Blake C. Shields is an American film and television actor.
Biography
Shields was born in Ithaca, New York. He is the second child and has one older brother and two younger sisters. He spent most of his childhood globetrotting the world with his ...
Noah Cyrus
Noah Lindsey Cyrus (born January 8, 2000) is an American singer and actress. As a child actress she voiced the titular character in the English dub of the film ''Ponyo'' (2008), as well as having minor roles on shows like ''Hannah Montana'' and ' ...
Nicolas Bechtel
Nicolas Joseph Bechtel (born February 15, 2005) is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Spencer Cassadine (2013–2020) on ABC's ''General Hospital'' and the Disney Channel sitcom '' Stuck in the Middle''.
Early life
Bechtel i ...
and Tom Lenk.
Nico Greetham and Cody Fern returned for the second season. Denis O'Hare, Matt Lasky, Gabourey Sidibe, Max Greenfield, Austin Woods, Seth Gabel, Rebecca Dayan, Cameron Cowperthwaite, Spencer Neville and Teddy Sears, who appeared in previous seasons of '' American Horror Story'', will also appear in the second season along with newcomers Kristine Froseth, Houston Jax Towe, Abby Corrigan, Simone Recasner, Maryssa Menendez, Emily Morales-Cabrera,
Caitlin Dulany
Caitlin Dulany is an American actress and activist.
Early life
She was born in Iowa City, Iowa on June 22, 1963. Once her family moved to Brooklyn, New York, she attended St. Ann's School in Brooklyn Heights, where her mother, Barry Dulany, was ...
Anthony De La Torre
Anthony De La Torre (born November 24, 1993) is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist, known for his roles as young Jack Sparrow in '' Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales'' (2017) and Jan Axel Blomberg in '' Lords of Ch ...
Alicia Silverstone
Alicia Silverstone ( ; born October 4, 1976) is an American actress. She made her film debut in the thriller ''The Crush (1993 film), The Crush'' (1993), earning the 1994 MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance, and gained further prom ...
, Olivia Rouyre, Bobby Hogan, Heather Wynters and Jarrod Crawford.
''American Love Story''
On August 13, 2021, it was announced that FX had ordered a new spin-off series ''American Love Story''. The first installment will depict the whirlwind courtship and marriage of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
''American Sports Story''
On August 13, 2021, it was announced that FX had ordered a new spin-off limited series ''American Sports Story''. The first installment, based on the podcast ''Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.'' from '' The Boston Globe'' and Wondery, will focus on the rise and fall of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez. In January 2023, it was reported that the series was "heading toward production". Principal photography is scheduled to begin on April 3, 2023, in
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the second-most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey, after Newark.American Horror Story'', FX launched a "House Call" campaign, in which viewers at home could sign up and come face-to-face with a character from the series. Prior to the series premiere, FX released several clues to shine light on the series. They were offered on the show's official YouTube channel. Ten clues were released. In September 2011, FX launched a website which allows visitors to tour the Murder House throughout the decades and look for clues.
In August 2012, the first promo for the second season was released on the ''American Horror Story'' Facebook page entitled "Special Delivery", in which a nun carries a couple of buckets filled with body parts through a field. As a church bell rings, the nun empties one bucket's bloody contents, leaving the empty bucket behind, and resumes her trek. Over 20 subsequent teasers were released. Four photos were also released on EW.com. Two televised teasers, titled "Meet the Residents", were released on August 31, 2012. They feature the patients and some staff (such as Dr. Thredson, played by Zachary Quinto, and Sister Mary Eunice, played by Lily Rabe) lying in twin beds and dealing with their individual issues as the heads of the asylum (Jessica Lange, Joseph Fiennes and James Cromwell) look on. The song " Que Sera, Sera", mixed with the show's theme music, plays. To promote ''Cult'', a competition was set up where fans who donated to the Children's Hospital Los Angeles could get a chance to get a walk-on role in an episode, and lunch with Evan Peters.
''Universal's Halloween Horror Nights''
On August 16, 2016, FX announced a deal had been struck to feature an ''American Horror Story''
maze
A maze is a path or collection of paths, typically from an entrance to a goal. The word is used to refer both to branching tour puzzles through which the solver must find a route, and to simpler non-branching ("unicursal") patterns that lea ...
at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando for their Halloween Horror Nights events. The maze featured sets and themes from ''Murder House'', ''Freak Show'', and ''Hotel''. Universal Parks & Resorts said of the experience, "Twisted scenes from ''Murder House'' will unleash the evil spirits that possess the Harmon estate, spiraling guests through decades of the tortured dead who previously resided there. In ''Freak Show'', guests joined a troupe of biological misfits in a sinister sideshow where they were stalked by the murderous and deformed Twisty the Clown. Finally, guests succumbed to the warped desires of the Countess after checking into the haunted Hotel Cortez, conceived from the beginning as a torture chamber for its customers." In 2017, the show returned as haunted attractions to both parks, with Universal Orlando having an attraction based on ''Asylum'', ''Coven'', and ''Roanoke'', and Universal Studios Hollywood basing their attraction solely on ''Roanoke''.
In December 2017, The Walt Disney Company announced it would purchase 21st Century Fox which included the 20th Century Fox film and TV assets. The deal was completely finalized on March 20, 2019, making 20th Century Fox officially part of The Walt Disney Studios. As Disney and Universal are bitter rivals in the theme park business (especially for their Central Florida properties), this would likely end the franchise's presence in Halloween Horror Nights at Universal parks.
''The Night Bites Bakery''
On July 14, 2021 an ''American Horror Story'' themed bakery opened in New York'sMeatpacking District in Manhattan until July 24, 2021 to celebrate the release of spin-off ''
American Horror Stories
''American Horror Stories'' is an American anthology horror television series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for FX on Hulu. Premiered on July 15, 2021, the series serves as the third installment in the '' American Story'' media franc ...
'' and the tenth season. Guests had to be over the age of 18 to enter the bakery. Guests also had to make reservations for 30 minute visits. It featured sweet treats inspired by the series, as well as unique designs and characters based on past installments of ''American Horror Story'' and ''American Horror Stories''. After placing an order, the Rubber Woman, introduced in the first episode of ''American Horror Stories'', delivered the order through a secret window. It opened in Los Angeles from August 4, 2021 until August 14, 2021 in
Beverly Grove
Beverly Grove is a neighborhood within the Fairfax District, Los Angeles, Beverly–Fairfax neighborhood in the Mid-City West, Los Angeles, Mid-City West area of Los Angeles, California.
Geography City of Los Angeles
The term "Beverly Grove" was ...
. The bakery opened in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where the first part of the tenth season were filmed, at Pat's Happy Park on September 1, 2021 till September 4, 2021.