Halloween just got a whole lot more exciting for horror fans. Ryan Murphy dropped a major bombshell on social media, revealing that pop superstar Ariana Grande will be joining the cast of American Horror Story Season 13. What’s even more surprising? Jessica Lange is coming back after years away from the franchise.
The announcement came via Ryan Murphy Productions’ Instagram, featuring a chilling video set to Vera Lynn’s haunting cover of “I’ll Be Seeing You.” Names appeared one by one in the show’s signature creepy font, building up anticipation before dropping the biggest surprise of all. The teaser ended with that unforgettable line from Emma Roberts’ character Madison Montgomery: “Surprise, bitch. I bet you thought you’d seen the last of me.”
For Ariana Grande, this marks her first venture into the American Horror Story universe, though she’s no stranger to working with Ryan Murphy. The Grammy-winning artist previously starred in Murphy’s horror comedy series Scream Queens nearly a decade ago, playing the memorable Chanel #2. The gig reunites her with former Scream Queens co-stars Emma Roberts and Billie Lourd, who are also returning for Season 13.
What really has fans buzzing, though, is Jessica Lange’s comeback. The fan-favorite actress hasn’t appeared in American Horror Story since Season 8’s Apocalypse in 2018. Her return is especially shocking considering she told Irish radio station Spin 1038 earlier this year, “Oh, Christ, no!” when asked about potentially returning to the series. Clearly, Ryan Murphy has a way of changing minds.
The Season 13 lineup reads like an American Horror Story hall of fame. Joining Grande and Lange are franchise regulars Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, and Leslie Grossman. With so many beloved actors from the Coven era returning, speculation is already running wild about whether Season 13 might revisit that witchy New Orleans storyline.
Murphy’s timing couldn’t be more perfect for Ariana Grande, who’s currently riding high on the success of Wicked, which earned her an Oscar nomination. She recently wrapped filming on Focker in-Law, the next installment of the Meet the Parents franchise, and now she’s diving headfirst into the twisted world of American Horror Story.
Mark your calendars for Halloween 2026. After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus—the longest break in the show’s history—American Horror Story Season 13 will finally arrive on FX. With this star-studded cast and all the mystery surrounding the plot, it’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated seasons yet.
Whether you’re there for Ariana Grande’s horror debut, Jessica Lange’s surprise return, or the potential Coven reunion, one thing’s certain: Season 13 is going to be absolutely wicked.
