Last month Jessica Lange dropped a bombshell when she announced she would be leaving American Horror Story after season 4, now she’s revealing what brought her to the decision.

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Update (January 19, 2015): AHS‘s fourth season is about to wrap this week and fans will bid Lange’s Elsa Mars adieu. But will they get to see her in season 5? Talks have circulated throughout the show’s fourth season hinting that Lange’s role as Elsa Mars awakened something in the actress. The Freak Show from concept to execution involved a great deal of input from Lange. The actresses expressed her interest in the dying art of the performing troupe of misfits who never felt more at home than with each other.

But playing the ringleader may be the perfect way for Lange to exit at what she considers the apex of her time on AHS. However, Lange has also hinted that she may need to see what Ryan brings to the table. Lange says, “You know, I told him that we would sit down and have a long conversation when this was over. In a way this character is so great, I don’t know how you top Elsa Mars. I really — in deference to Ryan, who I love dearly and who I respect beyond — I have no idea at this point.”

From a solid no, to hinting that a conversation will occur, it’s up to Ryan Murphy to make the pitch of a lifetime to get Lange back on board for season 5!

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Original (November 23, 2013): Since American Horror Story began Jessica Lange has become the face of the series. But fans will only have Lange for one more season after Coven ends. There’s one very simple reason for her exit on the show, however, it comes down to its great commitment.

“It ends up being a lot of time during the year being committed to something,” Lange tells Entertainment Weekly in an interview. She goes on to explain that American Horror Story was the first major commitment she’s had in a long time.

It sounds as though the actress is simply in need of time off, and it’s no secret the series is emotionally wearing on the actors. Plus Lange has played the main role in American Horror Story for the past two seasons.

Lange says, “This is a 6-month commitment every year. That will be four years in a row. I want to have more time to myself I guess. Once it’s over and I have a full year ahead of me with nothing to do, who knows? It might not have been the best decision. But I think four years doing something is a sufficient amount of time.”

Although the theme for American Horror Story season 4 is not yet known, Lange will not be playing the lead role. We’re sure that whatever character she does play will still be amazing.

What do you think of Lange’s explanation for leaving ‘American Horror Story’?

Photo credit: Michele K. Short/FX