Fans will not see Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters in American Horror Story: 1984, although they are two of the series' original characters. It was a surprise when FX announced Season 9's full cast without their names, but FX Networks and FX Productions CEO John Landgraf revealed the reason why.
In an interview with The Wrap at the Television Critics Association press tour, Landgraf revealed the reason behind the cast shakeup was they needed "a clean slate" after Apocalypse. He said Season 8 had the biggest cast ever after co-creator Ryan Murphy decided to combine multiple different cycles.
There were actors playing two to three different roles. They also had to bring back all the cast from the previous seasons. They had a big ensemble that they couldn't do all the time and not in American Horror Story: 1984.
So, Murphy had to refresh in Season 9. "Part of what he needed to do, which is what he did, was clean the slate, start over," he said.
Hence, the new installment has a combination of new additions and some familiar faces. In a casting video, Murphy revealed, all of the cast members were wearing 1980s' costumes as they guised to take a screen test, per ComicBook.
Emma Roberts first appeared in the clip, as she is the one who is the most recognizable cast member of the series for the new season. Leslie Grossman, Cody Fern, John Carroll Lynch, and Billie Lourd, who are also returning stars, are all seen in the video. Each of these celebrities has appeared in the previous seasons.
But aside from Paulson and Peters' absence, the newcomers are also the most talked-about members of the cast. Matthew Morrison would join American Horror Story: 1984. The Glee star headlines the least and steals the show when he enters the cabin.
Although Morrison already worked with Murphy before, this is the first time that he would appear in the anthology series. Angelica Ross would also appear in Season 9, along with DeRon Horton and Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy.
Meanwhile, FX already renewed the show for Season 10 even before Season 8's release. However, Landgraf has yet to reveal when the network would renew the series for Season 11.
He said it would be Murphy's call to pick up the show. But, the 53-year-old screenwriter is still busy creating his lineup on Netflix after ending his overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television last year. So, fans have to wait to see first what will happen in American Horror Story: 1984, which will be out on Sept. 18, at 10 p.m. ET on FX.
