Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story makes its return for season 10 with Double Feature Part 1: Red Tide, bringing back several beloved AHS actors and a few newbies for the season’s cast and characters. In an unconventional style for American Horror Story, season 10, hence the official title, will feature two separate storylines in two parts, beginning with Red Tide for the first half and Death Valley for the second. So far, it’s unknown if there will be any significant connection between the two parts of the season, though some cast members will overlap as new characters.
Red Tide, which takes up Double Feature’s first 6 episodes, will be AHS season 10’s sea-based storyline, following a family that moves to the mysterious Provincetown for the winter as the father tries to break his writer’s block. As the family settles in, they come into contact with the town’s mysterious residents, and the sinister happens by the sea. Red Tide’s episodes are all written by American Horror Story co-creator Brad Falchuck, with Ryan Murphy contributing on certain installments.
Aside from season 10’s exciting new premise and the concept of two seasons wrapped into one, Double Feature is highly anticipated for its cast and characters. Nearly every cast member in Red Tide has been featured on multiple seasons of American Horror Story in prominent roles, with only two notable exceptions. Here’s a breakdown of the actors and characters in American Horror Story: Red Tide.
Sarah Paulson As Tuberculosis (TB) Karen
After being absent from season 9, AHS: 1984, the Emmy-winning American Horror Story actress Sarah Paulson makes her triumphant return to the series as Tuberculosis Karen. Paulson came to notoriety for playing significant roles in the first 8 seasons of American Horror Story before moving onto other series under Ryan Murphy’s helm, including playing Marcia Clark in American Crime Story: The People v. OJ Simpson and the titular role in Netflix’s Ratched. Paulson’s Double Feature: Red Tide character is a timid, uneasy resident of Provincetown who has been described as “completely insane” and is typically seen wearing her blue knit beanie.
Evan Peters As Austin Sommers
Holding the same stature in American Horror Story lore as Sarah Paulson, fans are equally excited for Evan Peters to return for AHS: Double Feature after not returning for 1984. Evan Peters played prominent characters in AHS's first 8 seasons, including Tate Langdon in Murder House and Kai Anderson in Cult. Aside from his AHS fame, Peters is notable for portraying the superhero Quicksilver/Peter Maximoff in the X-Men movies and, more recently, his Emmy-nominated performance as Detective Colin Zabel in HBO’s Mare of Easttown. In AHS: Double Feature’s Red Tide, Peters plays Austin Sommers, another writer and a frequent visitor of Provincetown who associates with Belle Noir and becomes friendly with Harry Gardner.
Finn Wittrock As Harry Gardner
Finn Wittrock plays the lead role of Harry Gardner, a writer who moves to Provincetown for the winter with his wife and daughter. His writer’s block becomes sinister in the new beach town, which makes sense considering Wittrock used The Shining’s Jack Torrance as inspiration. After making his chilling debut in American Horror Story: Freak Show as Dandy Mott, Finn Wittrock has been a consistent presence in the series’ subsequent seasons, with the exceptions of Cult and Apocalypse. Wittrock is also known for his other collaborations with Ryan Murphy, including roles in Ratched and American Crime Story season 2, as well as film roles in La La Land, Halloweentown High, and If Beale Street Could Talk. Following American Horror Story: Double Feature, Wittrock will play the titular superhero in HBO Max’s upcoming Green Lantern series.
Lily Rabe As Doris Gardner
American Horror Story alum Lily Rabe plays Doris Gardner, the pregnant wife of Harry, who moves to Provincetown with their young daughter. Double Feature is Lily Rabe’s 9th season of American Horror Story, only having skipped season 7, Cult. She’s notable for playing AHS’s Sister Mary Eunice in Asylum, Misty Day in Coven, and Shelby Miller in Roanoke, while also starring in The Whispers, Vice, and Amazon Prime’s The Underground Railroad.
Ryan Kiera Armstrong As Alma Gardner
Alma Gardner, played by young actress Ryan Kiera Armstrong, is the daughter of Harry and Doris, who has a talent for the violin. Finn Wittrock has teased Alma to become quite sinister in the series, meaning she won’t be resistant to the town’s dark influence. Armstrong is most notable for playing young Muri Forester in The Tomorrow War, young Antonia in Marvel’s Black Widow, and Minnie May Berry in Anne with an E.
Frances Conroy As Belle Noir
Belle Noir, played by Frances Conroy, is introduced in Red Tide as a best-selling erotica author. She typically associates with Austin and meets with Finn Wittrock’s writer character Harry. Aside from her significant roles in American Horror Story as Moira in Murder House, witch Myrtle Snow in Coven, and Gloria in Freak Show, Conroy's most notable performance is Ruth Fisher in HBO’s Six Feet Under.
Leslie Grossman As Ursula
Ursula is a resident of Provincetown who quickly notices strange things going on in town, eventually confronting Mickey. Leslie Grossman made her American Horror Story debut in season 7, Cult, as Meadow, whereafter she returned for each subsequent season. Grossman is also notable for early 2000s sitcom roles, such as Lauren on What I Like About You and Mary on Popular.
Billie Lourd As Lark
Becoming one of American Horror Story’s greatest scream queens, Billie Lourd will be playing the role of Lark in Double Feature, a medical professional in Provincetown sought by Harry whose sinister nature translates into her work. Lourd is notable for playing Winter in AHS: Cult, Mallory in Apocalypse, and Montana in 1984. Billie Lourd also portrayed Chanel #2 in Ryan Murphy’s Scream Queens and, as the daughter of Princess Leia’s Carrie Fisher, appeared in all three of the Star Wars sequel movies.
Adina Porter As Chief Burelson
American Horror Story actress Adina Porter returns to the series as Chief Burelson, the head of the police department in the eerie Provincetown. For AHS, the Emmy-nominated actress previously played Sally in Murder House, Lee Harris in Roanoke, Beverly Hope in Cult, and Dinah Stevens in Apocalypse. Porter is also notable for playing Sheriff Peterkin on Outer Banks, Lettie May Thornton on True Blood, and Indra on The 100.
Angelica Ross As The Chemist
Only having just made her transition from Ryan Murphy’s Pose to AHS as Donna in 1984, Angelica Ross is taking on more significant roles within the American Horror Story universe. In Double Feature, Ross plays The Chemist, a scientist in Provincetown whose scientific tests and research contribute to the town’s supernatural chaos. The Chemist has been a mysterious figure teased by many of American Horror Story: Double Feature’s released photos and posters.
Macaulay Culkin As Mickey
Macaulay Culkin, best known for playing the iconic role of Kevin McCallister in the Home Alone movies, makes his American Horror Story debut as Mickey. His Double Feature character is connected to Ursula, with whom he investigates the mysterious happenings of his home, Provincetown.
Denis O’Hare As Holden
Denis O’Hare plays Holden in American Horror Story season 10, the mustachioed resident of Provincetown who provides much-needed comic relief from the season’s action. O’Hare notably portrayed Dr. Sevard in Dallas Buyers Club, Larry in AHS: Murder House, Spalding in AHS: Coven, and Liz Taylor in AHS: Hotel.