Details regarding the characters and setting in American Horror Story: Hotel have been graciously unveiled at the Television Critics Association! The cast and creators of the hit FX horror anthology series were there to provide some interesting tid-bits about this season’s fascinating new characters and the familiar setting of Hotel. In terms of how Hotel connects to the previously established AHS universes, Murphy disclosed that the connection will be revealed in episode 6 or 7. Does anyone have any guesses/theories?
Much like the first season, the story will take place in Los Angeles, and will also be similar in horror and tone to Murder House.
Murphy elaborates, “This season harkens back to the first season and is much more rooted in the honest, primal fears that the first season was.” Murphy also proceeds to explain that whichever season or character is a viewer’s favorite reveals what kind of horror fan they truly are: Murder House appeals to true horror fans, Asylum was for individuals who liked drama, Coven was for the younger generation and Freak Show was for the more artistic. Hotel will expand upon the horror of “being trapped” which evolves from the claustrophobic atmosphere presented in Murder House. “While I feel like the first season trapped you in that house, the second season was very oppressive in the asylum; [here] the horror is sneaking out of the hotel,” Falchuk further adds, “When you go home, wherever your bed is, it’s the least safe space in the entire world.”
As far as the characters go, the cast and creators provided interesting profiles for the latest additions to the AHS universe. Let’s break each update down by character. Obviously, we’ll start with the person everyone’s most excited to see: Lady Gaga!
Lady Gaga will play the hotel’s owner, Elizabeth who’s quite the conniving temptress. She’s described as a “very wealthy social doyenne who is consumed with art, fashion and people and she has a nefarious plan that is revealed in the first episode that plays out over the season.” Gaga’s character seems essential to the season as she’s connected to multiple characters plus she owns the spooky hotel.
One such character is male model Tristan Duffy played by Freak Show alum Finn Wittrock. Tristan likes living life on the edge and is constantly searching for his next high which comes in the form of Lady Gaga’s character Elizabeth. Elizabeth is Tristan’s biggest high and “they have a lot to do together.” Donovan, played by the charming Matt Bomer, is also closely aligned to Gaga as well as Wittrock and Kathy Bates’ character. Donovan has “very interesting relationships with the lady folk in his life.”
Gaga has one frenemy in the mix: actress Ramona Royal, who is played by Angela Bassett. Bassett’s character has “a strong and real nasty relationship” with Gaga and Wittrock’s characters, and although she doesn’t live in the hotel, she visits quite often. Kathy Bates plays hotel runner/manager Iris and Bates revealed that Iris has, “relationships with Matt Bomer and Wes and I can’t stand Paulson [her character]; I hate you,” Bates further adds, “Liz Taylor and I have a very close relationship.”
Wes Bentley and Chloe Sevigny will play the husband and wife duo of John and Alex Lowe. Bentley’s character will be a detective who’s investigating a series of grisly murders which leads him to checking into Gaga’s hotel. Alex is a mother and doctor who, along with her husband, is coming to terms with a massive loss in their family. Could the couple have lost their child? Theories are already formulating in my head! Sevigny’s character isn’t the only one closely associated with Bentley’s. Sarah Paulson plays permanent hotel resident Sally who forms a dark relationship with Bentley’s character and “hates Iris in a rather ancient way for reasons that will be revealed quickly.”
The final two characters are fashion icon Will Drake and Elizabeth Taylor who are played by Cheyenne Jackson and Denis O’ Hare, respectively. Jackson’s character has moved from New York to Los Angeles in an effort to “creatively re-establish himself.” He’s also a father and described as being a little desperate. O’Hare’s character, who works the bar at the hotel, is fascinated with the movie icon he’s named after. “I’m not actually playing the person but someone inspired by her awesomeness,” O’Hare further comments, “I shaved my head, and other body parts, for the part.”
The season is bound to be an interesting one what with so many fascinating and intriguing characters on the roster and there are still many whose details have yet to be revealed such as for the characters played by Evan Peters, Darren Criss and Lily Rabe.
American Horror Story: Hotel will premiere on FX October 7th and is expected to end it’s 13-episode season run by the end of January.
Are you excited for AHS: Hotel? Share your thoughts in the comments down below!
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