Jessica Lange will return for the upcoming 13th season of "American Horror Story" with a specific stipulation: she must have a musical number. Co-creator Ryan Murphy revealed this detail, noting that Lange's agreement was contingent on this condition.
Murphy expressed his desire for a "greatest hits" season, drawing from classic characters across the anthology series to confront an ultimate evil. He stated that such a season was only feasible with Lange's involvement. "I didn’t know what it was, but I knew that I could only do it with Jessica," Murphy told Vogue. "So we had dinner … and I pitched her, and she said, ‘Great. I’m in as long as I have a musical number.’"
Lange, 77, is celebrated for her Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild award-winning performances in the series' initial seasons. She won two Emmy awards for her work, including outstanding supporting actress in a miniseries or movie in 2012 for "American Horror Story: Murder House," and outstanding lead actress in a miniseries or movie in 2014 for "American Horror Story: Coven." Additionally, she received a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award in 2012 for her portrayal of Constance Langdon in the first season.
Murphy emphasized Lange's foundational role in the series, noting that she "won every award on Earth" for her debut season. "I think when you have a show like ‘American Horror Story’ that has become so long-running and popular, you go back to the origin story of it," he explained.
Lange had previously expressed that she was "done" with the show after appearing as a main character for four consecutive seasons. She stated in March 2015 that she had loved her time on the series, including working with the cast, writers, and Murphy, but was ready to move on. Despite her previous departure, Lange made a cameo appearance in the eighth season, "American Horror Story: Apocalypse," in 2018.
Lange is known for her memorable musical performances within the series, including her rendition of "The Name Game" in "American Horror Story: Asylum" and her cover of David Bowie's "Life on Mars" in "American Horror Story: Freak Show."
Season 13 of "American Horror Story" is scheduled to premiere on September 24 on FX and Hulu.