Has your American Horror Story [1] well gone dry? Are you thirsty for more? In my experience, the need for more AHS is unquenchable, which is why I've already begun to dig around for details pertaining to the ninth instalment. You may be tempted to think there's nothing out there, just a bunch of silly theories [2] that aren't based in anything. But I'm here to tell you there's more than you think. Yes, it's a lot of supposing, reaching, and putting two and two together, but at this point, it's better than sitting in the dark, waiting to fall prey to another day of nothing! Let's go over everything I was able to unearth about the next chapter.
The Theme
Surprise, surprise: we don't know anything about the theme! The best we can offer is a few solid theories [3] about where the show could go next. The best bet right now is something involving space or aliens. Allow me to explain.
As diehard fans know, Murphy quite often drops hints about the next season in the current season. During Apocalypse, there are quite a few hints that seem to point to something involving the cosmos, space, or intelligent life in the universe.
- The inclusion of the Carpenters song, "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft," seemed to be one of the most overt winks early on.
- The "Grays" in Outpost 3 were also perceived, by some, as a nod to the most common iteration of alien lifeforms, often called "grey aliens" and yes, sometimes simply "greys."
- Then there's Ms. Mead, who gives all sorts of hints! She sings "Daisy Bell" as her decapitated head slowly stops functioning. It's an homage to 2001: Space Odyssey; the smart computer HAL9000 sings the same song while shutting down for the final time. Speaking of HAL9000, Mead's creators also call her "Battleaxe 9000" at one point, and it's safe to say the number 9000 is more than random coincidence.
So, that's as much as we have in way of theme. If aliens are involved, though, it could be another way to foster more season connections [4]. Perhaps even an Asylum sequel!
The Vibe
Well, Ryan Murphy spoke very briefly about the next season in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight [5]. "We have something really fun planned," he said.
In my experience, American Horror Story [6] usually falls into two categories: campy horror and outright terror. Coven, Hotel, Freak Show, and Apocalypse, for example, were pretty campy. Sassy dialogue, wild story lines, elaborate costumes that made my gay ass scream . . . you get the picture. Outright terror falls more in line with Murder House, Asylum, Roanoke, and Cult. We have more grounded stories, grisly deaths, and lots of nightmarish components. Sure, these seasons still had some camp, but not as much.
If the new season is "really fun," you can bet it's not going to have you screaming. As someone who loves the horror genre, that's a little disappointing. Oh well!
The Stars
OK, so, strap in for this one, it's time to do some reaching. The Entertainment Tonight interview, mentioned earlier, took place at Ryan Murphy's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony. Murphy wouldn't give away the theme for season nine: "I can't say what it is! I'm going to this luncheon, and many of the Horror Story actors are there, and I'm gonna tell them for the first time. So I have to tell them first." If you'll permit, I'd like to jump to some conclusions: at least some of the Horror Story stars at this luncheon will be in season nine.
Based on Instagram posts, here are the AHS alums who were in attendance: Emma Roberts [7], Cody Fern, Billie Lourd [8], Finn Wittrock, Leslie Grossman [9], and of course, Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson [10].
Again, it's not a guarantee that all of these stars will appear, but I'm willing to bet some of them are on the roster. (We're looking at you, Sarah Paulson.)
The Returning Characters
Though Murphy has confirmed that the witches of Coven will return [11] someday, they will not be present in season nine. "The witches will be back. Not next season," he said. That means the slate will be wiped clean, in some ways. But hey, there are plenty of other characters to bring back, even if the witches will stay in the vault.
The End?
Many, many fans have speculated that the show might end soon. In fact, there are even those who mistook Apocalypse as the finale of the whole series. What do you do after the world ends? Um, a lot. Not only has AHS certainly been renewed for season nine [12], but it's also getting a season 10. We've got a long way to go. And based on older interviews, it sounds like both Murphy and FX are prepared to churn out new seasons for a long time to come. There's no end in sight, I'm delighted to say.
The Premiere
Since season six, AHS has been working on a shifted schedule. Roanoke, Cult, and Apocalypse all premiered in early September, so I'm willing to bet season nine will go that way, too. As Murphy once said (and I'm paraphrasing), no one wants to think about blood and murder after the holidays.