Sarah Paulson, a mainstay of the chilling anthology seriesAmerican Horror Story, has confessed to a surprising preference within its twelve seasons. Despite her extensive involvement, spanning eight installments, one particular season failed to resonate with the acclaimed actress.
During a candid appearance onWatch What Happens Live, host Andy Cohen directly questioned Paulson about her least favorite season. After a moment of hesitation, acknowledging potential backlash, she revealed her choice:Roanoke. Her reasoning wasn’t rooted in poor quality, but a personal disconnect – simply “wasn’t for [her].”
Roanokedistinguished itself from previousAmerican Horror Storyseasons with a bold structural shift. It unfolded in two distinct parts, initially presented as a found-footage paranormal documentary, then transitioning to a harrowing account of a follow-up film crew’s tragic fate.
Paulson’s reservations aboutRoanokerun deeper than a casual dislike. In a 2021 interview, she openly wished she’d requested a break from the series before taking on the role. She felt creatively stifled, particularly after the demanding and transformative experience of portraying Marcia Clark inThe People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
She described feeling “trapped” by her commitment to the show, a place she’d always considered a professional home.Roanoke, however, arrived at a moment when she felt ready to explore new artistic boundaries, a desire that went unfulfilled within the season’s framework.
Despite her past reservations, Paulson is poised to return to theAmerican Horror Storyuniverse for its thirteenth season, marking her first appearance in two seasons. This comeback is particularly noteworthy given the reunion of several iconic cast members.
Joining Paulson will be a powerhouse ensemble including Ariana Grande, Angela Bassett, Evan Peters, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, and, in a long-awaited return, Jessica Lange. Lange hasn’t graced the series since 2014’sFreak Show.
The significant overlap with the cast of the beloved third season,Coven, has ignited fervent speculation among fans. Many believe the upcoming installment will directly connect to the witch-centric storyline ofCoven, promising a thrilling continuation of that narrative.
Paulson’s return toAmerican Horror Storycomes as she navigates the critical reception of her current project. Her new series has garnered intensely negative reviews, even receiving a rare zero-star rating from a prominent publication, described as “fascinatingly, existentially terrible.”
The series centers on a firm of female divorce lawyers, featuring a star-studded cast. Despite the initial critical storm, Paulson’s dedication to her craft and her return to the world ofAmerican Horror Storysignal a continued commitment to challenging and captivating storytelling.
