FX’s long-standing horror franchiseAmerican Horror Storyis adding a new Hollywood A-lister to the forthcoming 12th season. The popular anthology co-created by Ryan Murphy is known for its star-studded, ensemble casts which have included Triple Crown Actress Jessica Lange and Academy Award winner Lady Gaga. Next to join the ranks of AHS’ Hall of Fame isKim Kardashian, according toa THR exclusive. The reality star, entrepreneur, and cultural icon has signed on to star in a role that was specifically written just for her. She’ll be joined byAHSalum Emma Roberts, who is returning to the franchise after four years.
In typical Murphy fashion, specific details about Kardashian and Roberts’ roles in the upcoming season are being carefully safeguarded. However, both women confirmed their involvement via social media Monday afternoon. Using the same 40-second cryptic teaser, they each posted the video on Instagram which features a slow, macabre tune of “Rock-a-bye Baby.” Although the clip didn’t offer too much more detail on the upcoming season, it states that “Kim Kardashian and Emma Roberts are delicate” and the 12th season will debut this summer.
Check out the exclusive announcement below:
Though Kardashian has starred in a handful of reality television productions — most notablyKeeping Up With The Kardashians —and has done several cameo appearances,American Horror StorySeason 12 will be her scripted television entry. Apparently, this role has been in making for some time now as Kardashian and Murphy have been cooking up a uniquely tailored character for the nascent actress since last summer. The person responsible for crafting the chilling role is Halley Feiffer. In a first for AHS’ 12-season history, Feiffer serves as this season’s showrunner and the only writer for season 12.
In the THR exclusive, Murphy expressed his excitement about bringing Kardashian into the ever-revolving AHS family. “Kim is among the biggest and brightest television stars in the world and we are thrilled to welcome her to the AHS family. Emma and I are excited about collaborating with this true force in the culture. Halley Feiffer has written a fun, stylish, and ultimately terrifying role, especially for Kim, and this season is ambitious and unlike anything we have ever done.”
Related:American Horror Story: Is the Anthology Series Over the Hill?
Season 12 Draws Inspiration From A Soon-To-Be-Released Novel
For the past 12 years, co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk have crafted thrilling and completely twisted tales within the connectedAmerican Horror Storyuniverse. So far,the past 11 seasonshave all drawn inspiration from real life events or people when constructing the nightmarish narratives. Season 3’s Coven is a prime example of real-life integration with the AHS universe as it featured a slew of main characters based on real people or entities including Marie Laveau, Madame Delphine LaLaurie, and Papa Legba, and the infamous New Orleans serial killer, The Axeman. Though the franchise has become known for embedding true aspects of American culture within its series, season 12 will be taking a detour from this recipe. According to the THR exclusive, the twelfth season will be based on the upcoming novelDelicate Conditionby Danielle Valentine.
As hinted at by the social media teasers, the upcoming season is titled Delicate — a direct correlation to the source material the season draws upon.Delicate Conditionis a gripping thriller about a woman who becomes convinced that a sinister figure is going to great lengths to make sure her pregnancy never happens—while the men in her life refuse to believe a word she says. Valentine’s novel will be released later this year in August through Sourcebooks Landmark and has been described as“a timely critique of sexism in modern medicine,” by NYT bestseller and esteemed journalist Andrea Bartz. Though it’s unclear how closely the 12th season will follow the forthcoming novel, the teaser clip alone showcases thatDelicatewill still feature the signature AHS style and tone.
The forthcoming 12th season will be executive produced by Murphy, Falchuk, Feiffer, Alexis Martin Woodall, and Scott Robertson. Production is slated to begin in New York City later this April. Monday’s cryptic social media announcements revealed that a summer premiere is on the table, and it’s expected that Murphy and FX will announce an exact date by June.
