Ryan Murphy has officially offered Lady Gaga a role in AHS season 6 ahead of the season 5 premiere. Is it a bit too soon?
Is AHS: Hotel already over? We know Ryan Murphy likes to hold on to what he loves, but can we get through the season 5 premiere of AHS: Hotel before we start betting on season 6’s returning cast?
Ryan Murphy tweeted early Wednesday afternoon that an offer for season 6 is on the table if Lady Gaga is willing to take it. While the announcement comes as no surprise, the timing certainly does. Murphy is placing a ton of pressure on Gaga’s performance in AHS: Hotel before the premiere has a chance to hit the air.
Lady Gaga is so brilliant in AHS Season 5 that yesterday I officially asked her to join Season 6. Say yes @ladygaga!
— Ryan Murphy (@MrRPMurphy) October 6, 2015
Tomorrow night The Countess opens the doors of the Hotel Cortez and the world will finally get a glimpse of the stellar performance Ryan Murphy insists will take place. However, as with any over zealous promotion that accompanies a season of AHS, the inevitable feeling of disappointment lurks around the corner. We do not doubt that Lady Gaga will shine in the role, but she is not the show. AHS: Hotel is an ensemble show.
Are the stakes raised for Lady Gaga’s first appearance? Absolutely. Will she outshine her fellow cast members? That remains to be seen. But if you ask anyone what this season is about, chances are they are going to mention Lady Gaga and the fact that it takes place at a Hotel. The promotion worked, but at the cost of the remaining superstars and returning veterans of AHS.
Rather than telling an audience that they are in for 13 episodes of brilliance, give the work a chance to speak for itself. Let viewers draw their own conclusions after episode 1. For what it is worth, we are looking forward to the roles of Evan Peters, Kathy Bates, Max Greenfield, Finn Wittrock, and Denis O’Hare (especially Denis O’Hare) as much, if not more, than Gaga’s Countess Elizabeth.
Related: AHS: Hotel‘s stunning gallery photos hint at a season unlike any other
Regardless, if Lady Gaga does return for season 6 we only hope that Jessica Lange emerges from AHS retirement and goes head to head with The Countess.
AHS: Hotel episode 1, “Checking In,” premieres Wednesday, October 7 at 10:00 p.m. ET on FX.