American Horror Story season 11 has confirmed that several previous stars of the franchise will be returning. Alongside its creepy twists and disturbing developments, American Horror Story is well known for reusing the same actors each season. Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters have both appeared in nine of the ten seasons (both being absent from AHS: 1984), while figures like Lily Rabe, Denis O’Hare, Frances Conroy, Kathy Bates, Finn Wittrock, and Angela Bassett have all starred in multiple roles across several seasons. While the production for American Horror Story season 11 has been particularly secretive, a few notable AHS stars are finally confirmed for the cast of the new narrative.
The theme of American Horror Story season 11 is still unknown, with the franchise currently prioritizing coverage on the episodic anthology spinoff series American Horror Stories. When Ryan Murphy suggested some possible season themes to the public in 2021, it turned out that a few of these were actually used for American Horror Stories season 2, such as Bloody Mary and Plague. However, investigative fans have put together that American Horror Story season 11’s theme could involve Broadway or the mafia, with set photos confirming that the new installment will take place in New York City, seemingly in the 1970s-80s. Outside of the reveal that American Horror Story season 11’s premiere episode is titled “Something’s Coming,” the details of the plot and characters are still a mystery.
While American Horror Story season 11 is scheduled to premiere in fall 2022, the vast majority of the cast still hasn’t been revealed. However, American Horror Story fans can expect to see a few familiar faces out of those that have been confirmed on set or reported (via Deadline), including one actor that hasn’t appeared in the show since season 2. Here’s a breakdown of the past American Horror Story actors returning for season 11, as well as those who will be making their debut in the upcoming installment.
Billie Lourd
Frequent AHS actress Billie Lourd is officially returning for season 11. The details of Lourd’s American Horror Story season 11 character are still unconfirmed, but the hope is that her role will be far larger than her short appearance as Lark in American Horror Story: Red Tide. Before AHS: Double Feature, Lourd starred in AHS season 9’s 1984 as Montana Duke, season 8’s Apocalypse as Mallory, and season 7’s Cult as Winter Anderson. Lourd also appeared in the American Horror Stories season 1 episode “BA’AL,” which was the highest-rated episode of the first season.
Zachary Quinto
Perhaps the most highly anticipated American Horror Story season 11 return so far is that of actor Zachary Quinto. He appeared in a minor part for American Horror Story season 1, Murder House, as the deceased resident Chad, then returned for a massive role in season 2, Asylum, as Dr. Oliver Thredson. Quinto’s character in American Horror Story: Asylum is still remembered as one of the most chilling figures in the series, as the seemingly friendly psychiatrist turned out to be the sadistic serial killer Bloody Face. Despite having such a phenomenal performance in Asylum, Quinto never returned for American Horror Story’s next eight seasons. However, the actor is finally making his long-awaited return to the series after 9 years for American Horror Story season 11. The details of Zachary Quinto’s AHS season 11 character are still under wraps, but it’s expected that he’ll play another compelling role.
Patti LuPone
Broadway star Patti LuPone is also returning to the American Horror Story universe for season 11. The actress first appeared in American Horror Story season 3, Coven, as Joan Ramsey, the religious next-door neighbor to the witches in Miss Robichaux’s Academy who hides a murderous past of her own. While LuPone hasn’t returned to American Horror Story before season 11, she has still collaborated with AHS creator Ryan Murphy. She previously starred in his Netflix series Hollywood as Avis Amberg and FX series Pose as Frederica Norman. With the rumors that American Horror Story season 11 will have a Broadway theme, musical theater legend Patti LuPone is the perfect returning star for the franchise’s new installment.
Isaac Powell
Isaac Powell is one of the newer additions to American Horror Story’s actors’ troupe who will be returning for season 11. Powell made his American Horror Story debut in season 10’s Death Valley, the critically panned second half of American Horror Story: Double Feature. The actor played college student Troy Powell, who was experimented on and impregnated by Death Valley’s aliens. Powell’s character and which timeline he’ll appear in during American Horror Story season 11 are still under wraps.
Sandra Bernhard
While it’s unclear how big her role will be in American Horror Story season 11, Sandra Bernhard returns to the franchise after her one-episode stint in AHS: Apocalypse. Bernhard previously appeared in American Horror Story’s season 8 episode “Sojourn” as Hannah, the villainous leader of a satanic cult who gleefully watched Michael Langdon kill two innocent victims. Before Apocalypse, Bernhard had already collaborated with AHS creator Ryan Murphy on his series Pose, where she portrayed the prominent character Judy Kubrak. While she only had a minor role in Apocalypse, Bernhard will likely play a larger part in American Horror Story season 11's plot.
Every New Actor Confirmed For American Horror Story Season 11
One new American Horror Story actor who has been frequently spotted on the set of season 11 is Charlie Carver. The actor was seen opposite both Powell and Lourd, suggesting he’ll have a relatively big role in American Horror Story season 11. Carver previously collaborated with Ryan Murphy on the Netflix TV show Ratched, in which he played Huck Finnigan, and the Netflix movie The Boys in the Band. Also making their AHS debut in season 11 is Joe Mantello, who directed the Ryan Murphy-produced movie Boys in the Band. Mantello previously starred in Murphy’s Netflix series Hollywood as Dick Samuels and is well known for his Broadway career, which sets him up as a fitting addition for the new American Horror Story season’s rumored theme.
Considering a few American Horror Stories season 1 actors ended up appearing in AHS season 10’s Death Valley, some of the new stars of American Horror Stories season 2’s installments could also reasonably make their way into American Horror Story season 11. The status of whether frequent American Horror Story star Sarah Paulson will appear in season 11 is also unclear, as the actress previously suggested she would be stepping away from the show at least for now. Some of the other actors from season 10 who have yet to confirm whether they'll return for American Horror Story season 11 include Evan Peters, Frances Conroy, Adina Porter, Leslie Grossman, Finn Wittrock, Cody Fern, and new fan-favorite Macaulay Culkin.