Ryan Murphy, co-creator of the hit FX horror anthology series "American Horror Story," has discussed how the upcoming fourth installment of the show is different from its past seasons.
"It's darker than 'Coven'; it feels very unique," Murphy told The Hollywood Reporter of "Freak Show." I directed the first one and I haven't done that since the very first one of season one. It feels like a Douglas Sirk movie; it's very 1952 presentational and then the horror is an unexpected jab."
The 48-year-old Primetime Emmy-winning director went on to explain that as compared to last season, which was more of crazy camera work and comedy, "Freak Show" "feels different."
"The special-ability cast that we have is amazing and I feel so thrilled because for so many of them, it was their dream to be actors and they didn't have any opportunities," he said. "There's a great community. They feel part of something perhaps for the first time in their life and that's an amazing thing that I was really emotional about when I was directing them."
As shown in cast art of the show above, which was released Friday, Aug. 29, Sarah Paulson will play conjoined twins named Bette and Dot Tattler. Kathy Bates will portray the bearded lady Effil Darling and Michael Chiklis will be the strong man Wendell Del Toredo.
Jessica Lange will play Elsa Mars, a German expat who manages one of the last remaining freak shows in the country, while Emma Roberts will play as Maggie.
Angela Bassett will play Desiree Dupre, the new wife of Darling's former husband Del Toredo, Screen Rant noted. Evan Peters is Jimmy Darling, son of Darling and Toredo.
Frances Conroy and Gabourey Sidibe are also part of the returning cast. They will be joined by newcomers Finn Wittrock ("The Normal Heart"), Wes Bentley ("The Hunger Games"), the world's smallest woman, Jyoti Amge, and John Carroll Lynch ("Fargo"), which will be the central villain of the show.
Patti LaBelle will also appear in a four-episode arc, while Matt Bomer will appear in one episode, Entertainment Weekly noted.
Below are the two new teasers for the "American Horror Story: Freak Show," which premieres on FX on Wednesday, Oct. 8.