When each season telling a different story keeps the show fresh, and the dark nature of the show keeps American Horror Story unpredictable, as every character is disposable as each season introduces a new set of main characters. However, one of the main reasons the show was so popular was the incredible performances by Jessica Lange, who has played four different characters throughout the show's run to date.
It was this darkness, combined with character strength and Jessica Lange's incredible acting skills that made all of these characters loved by fans around the world
Jessica Lange starred in the first four seasons of the show, playing different characters. Each of the characters played by Lange were strong characters who were willing to break the rules to get results. They were all anti-heroes, some more villainous than others, but all of them made mistakes and had some kind of darkness attached to them. It was this darkness, combined with character strength and Jessica Lange's incredible acting skills, that made all of these characters loved by fans around the world. Not even Lady Gaga or Kim Kardashian could live up to Lange's legacy on the show.
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Jessica Lange's Return Is American Horror Story Season 13's Best Chance At Redemption
Since Lange's Retirement in 2015, The Quality Of The Show Has Been In Decline
Apart from the show's critically acclaimed ninth season, titled "1984", the quality of the series has been on the decline since the departure of Jessica Lange after the show's fourth season. Following Lange's "retirement" from American Horror Story, the show has tried to replace her with celebrities that have a large fan base, such as Lady Gaga, Cara Delevingne and Kim Kardashian, hoping that it will improve the show's rating, but none of these celebrities have been able to live up to the high standard set by Jessica Lange in the first few seasons.
Year of Release |
Season of AHS |
Character Played by Jessica Lange |
Episode Count |
|---|---|---|---|
2011 |
Murder House |
Constance Langdon |
11 |
2012-13 |
Asylum |
Sister Jude Martin |
13 |
2013-14 |
Coven |
Fiona Goode |
13 |
2014-15 |
Freak Show |
Elsa Mars |
13 |
2018 |
Apocalypse |
Constance Langdon |
2 |
Unlike any other actor on the show, Jessica Lange brought a certain charisma to every role she played. All of her roles were fierce, strong and somewhat comedic, creating a formula of success. Whether she is feuding with one of Francis Conroy's characters, or putting poison in someone's drink, or calling someone a demeaning nickname, Jessica Lange played every single one of her roles perfectly, making her a staple of the show. Since her departure, there has been a Jessica Lange-shaped hole in the show that needs to be filled if the show wants any chance of becoming successful again.
Recent Casting Choices In American Horror Story Has Caused More Harm To The Show
The Show Has Tried To Make Up For Lange's Exit By Casting A-List Celebrities In Leading Roles
When Jessica Lange left American Horror Story in 2015, viewers were skeptical about the fifth season, unsure of what to expect without Lange in the leading role; some audience even threatened to boycott the show. However, it wasn't long until Lady Gaga was cast as Elizabeth (The Countess). Although Gaga won an Emmy Award for playing the role, ratings suffered compared to other seasons of the show, one of the reasons being Lady Gaga's casting, as audiences found it difficult to separate 'Gaga' and 'Elizabeth' and found it difficult to view Lady Gaga as a serious actor.
In 2023, the creators of American Horror Story made the same mistake by casting Kim Kardashian in the most recent season of the show "Delicate". Kim's casting was a major controversy, with actors such as Patti LuPone accusing Kim Kardashian of taking a job away from a trained actor who might be in desperate need of work following the WGA strikes. When the episodes starring Kim Kardashian were released, the acting was poor, as if Kim Kardashian was playing a version of herself. These poor casting choices are why the show needs to bring Jessica Lange back into the spotlight.
Jessica Lange Could Return To The Show In Lots Of Different Ways
Jessica Lange Made A Brief Return in Season 8 To Reprise The Role Of Constance
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem likely that Jessica Lange would be willing to return to the show in a starring capacity. However, she did return as a guest star in two episodes of season 8, titled "Return To Murder House" and "Apocalypse Then" where she reprized her season one character, Constance. Lange revealed that she only returned to the show because she was promised a death scene for the character. This seems quite promising and suggests that Lange might be open to another return in the future if she was given a really interesting storyline to film.
audience can remain hopeful for some kind of return for Lange in the future of the show as it's happened before
Due to the nature of American Horror Story, Lange could return as a new character, or a character she has played before, and it could be in a main, recurring or guest capacity. Although it seems highly unlikely that she will return, audience can remain hopeful for some kind of return for Lange in the future of the show as it's happened before, and it could happen again. After all, it is the only way that the show can revert back to its golden years, as Jessica Lange is what made the show so popular.
American Horror Story
- Release Date
- October 17, 2012
- Network
- FX
- Showrunner
- Ryan Murphy
Cast
Denis O'Hare
WHERE TO WATCH
- Writers
- Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy
- Seasons
- 12
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