American Horror Story: Freak Show airs later this evening on FX. In a roundtable interview, Ryan Murphy talks about the future of the show and his attempts to keep Jessica Lange coming back for more.
American Horror Story without Jessica Lange is hard to imagine. Entering her fourth staring role on the show in as many seasons, Lange is a staple performer in the Ryan Murphy troupe. But Lange has made it clear that Freak Show will be her last appearance in the franchise.
Leave it to Ryan Murphy to twist her arm enough to confidently report that he will not go down without a fight. The latest series is Lange’s personal favorite and the role has “reinvigorated” her interest in the work. Murphy went on to comment, “Before I was met with a really quick no and now I’m hearing, ‘Let’s keep talking.’ So that’s a promising sign….I think if I presented her with the right character, it could work. That’s my hope. I’m sending bribes every day!”
Please accept Hypable’s backing to any bribe for Jessica Lange to remain on our televisions for 13 weeks per year.
Fans may not have to wait until the end of the season to start hunting for clues for season 5. That’s right… season 5. Ryan Murphy has already mapped out the next installment of the series and Sarah Paulson is on board! An official announcement is still being decided on by Murphy and team. Paulson feels a deep kinship to her involvement on American Horror Story and cannot imagine a moment where she would pass on an opportunity to return.
Related:Ryan Murphy’s new anthology American Crime Series gets green light at FX
Further related: Does Ryan Murphy sleep?
Paulson’s character this time around is the most challenging role(s) she has played to date. Not only is she playing two characters, but she plays them simultaneously as they share a body. To film one scene it can take up to twelve hours allowing for camera angles, special effects, and Paulson’s dual performances to make the final cut. Murphy says, “It’s one of the best things, if not the best thing she’s ever done. It’s the most challenging thing I’ve ever seen any actor do ever.”
The tale of two guest stars continues as Ryan Murphy took some time to discuss Neil Patrick Harris and Matt Bomer. First, the confirmed guest star, Bomer will make his appearance in episode 5 where an absolutely horrible event occurs. Bomer, a veteran of Murphy productions, is someone that Murphy would like to welcome back into the series in the future should scheduling allow. (Bomer is currently filming Magic Mike 2 and therefore could only commit to one guest spot.) “He likes to do the opposite of what he has done. It’s a true horror scene. He’d never played anyone like this before. And I know he really enjoyed being on the set with those actors. He said it was demented Tennessee Williams,” Ryan says of Bomer.
Neil Patrick Harris, fresh off his honeymoon, is back in talks with Murphy about his future on the show. “He had very specific ideas of what he wanted to do, and I had very specific ideas, so we’re melding them. He’s awesome, one of our great entertainers, and I would love to see him and Jessica Lange go at it in some intriguing way.” Close your eyes and picture it. It’s beautiful and we want it to happen! Keep talking, boys!
As previously reported, Murphy will be staying away from the supernatural elements this time around. Instead he hopes that after watching the series, viewers will understand the true horror that existed for the people in carnivals. “I hope they are wildly entertained and I hope they are scared s—tless. I hope they also learn a lot about discrimination and prejudice that other people experience, and that applies to any minority group.”
Clown killers and all, Murphy hopes that the larger message of acceptance shines through in his band of extra-ordinary actors. Murphy brought together people of all abilities, shapes, and sizes to tell his story. One actress, Rose Siggins plays Legless Suzi. In her at home life, Rose has given birth to two children despite missing nearly three quarters of her body. Murphy also hopes to find a place for actor Mat Fraser, who plays Paul the Illustrated Seal in his future installments.
Speaking of the future, could American Horror Story go on without Ryan Murphy? He certainly hopes so! After establishing the framework of the anthology, Murphy is hopeful that it leaves room for creators to step in an play with the 13 episode framework telling tales of their own creation.
Watch American Horror Story: Freak Show episode 1, “Monsters Among Us,” tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET on FX/
Source: E! Online
We want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Write a comment below or submit an article to Hypable.