Evan Peters was originally set to make an appearance in the two-part American Horror Stories pilot, but this plan ultimately didn't come to fruition. After starring in eight seasons of American Horror Story, audiences assumed that the AHS veteran actor would partake in the spinoff, an episodic anthology series. This was, however, not meant to be for an understandable but frustrating reason.

Naturally, the emergence of an AHS spinoff could only call for the return of familiar settings and faces to establish ties to the mothership show. Thus, showrunner Ryan Murphy opted to set the first of the titular American Horror Stories at the iconic Murder House. The opening episode chronicles the slow decay of yet another ill-fated family as they make the forsaken house their, quite literal, forever home. Returning faces included Matt Bomer and Celia Finkelstein, who portray Michael Winslow and the ghost of Nurse Gladys, respectively.

Related: Every Season Of American Horror Story Evan Peters' Tate Has Appeared In

As per several inside accounts, Evan Peters initially agreed to join his former co-stars for the spinoff's debut outing in which he would've reprised his role as psychotic teen specter, Tate Langdon. Plans remained firmly in place up until the last minute; Peters' photo double, donning the iconic striped sweater and signature blond hair, was even spotted on location when filming began (via Twitter). Unfortunately, the American Horror Story favorite was forced to withdraw once it became apparent that the shooting schedule for Netflix's Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (in which Peters plays the title role) was too hectic to accommodate Ryan Murphy's initial plans for the actor.

Tate Langdon dressed as the Rubberman in Murder House

 

Arguably, Evan Peters' American Horror Stories absence was a blessing in disguise. Not only did the AHS spinoff face terrible reviews upon release but the actor has also aged significantly since 2011's Murder House. Tate Langdon was shot dead by police at the age of 17, meaning that the character's imprisoned ghost is doomed to remain a teenager for the rest of eternity. Contrary to anything Hollywood may say, Peters, 34 years old at the time of filming, no longer appears young enough to portray his character, which is fine. Nobody (in the real world, at least) is going to look like a high-schooler forever.

Though the return of AHS Murder House's Tate Langdon seems unlikely at this point in time, perhaps Evan Peters is a part of Ryan Murphy's grand plan for American Horror Stories season 2, which is currently midway through its four-month shoot. Whether he adopts from his back catalog of former AHS characters or takes on an entirely original role, audiences are always desperate for more from the actor who has been instrumental in the franchise's success. The success of which led to the development of the first AHS spinoff, American Horror Stories.

Next: American Horror Stories Season 2 News & Updates: Everything We Know