Ryan Murphy’s fourth installment of American Horror Story now ranks as FX’s most-watched telecast, attracting 10 million viewers for its debut. In light of that record-setting performance, FX has rewarded American Horror Story with a 13-episode order for the fifth and next installment of the show, which will debut in October 2015, announced by John Landgraf, CEO, FX Networks and FX Productions.
Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s American Horror Story first premiered on FX in 2011, and this month FX announced plans for a spinoff series, American Crime Story, that will start production next year.
The premiere and two encore telecasts of American Horror Story: Freak Show combined to deliver 13.36 million Total Viewers, 8.6 million Adults 18-49 and 5.25 million Adults 18-34.
“The American Horror Story anthology has had the highest growth trajectory of any show in FX history, not to mention an unprecedented track record of success in awards recognition,” said Landgraf. “With Ryan Murphy and his partners, Brad Falchuk, Dante Di Loreto and Tim Minear at the helm, the show’s success is not surprising. AHS continues to deliver amazing stories, a brilliant troupe of actors led by Jessica Lange, and a visual style unlike any other on TV. With Nip/Tuck, Glee, The Normal Heart, and American Horror Story, Ryan Murphy has established himself as one of the most successful and prolific producers of this generation. We expect AHS: Freak Show and the next incarnation of AHS to further his legacy.”
The premiere ratings for American Horror Story: Freak Show topped the 13-episode average of American Horror Story: Coven, by +53% in Total Viewers (10 million vs. 6.53 million), +44% in Adults 18-49 (6.54 million vs. 4.55 million), and +61% in Adults 18-34 (4.08 million vs. 2.53 million).
Freak Show has 12 all-new episodes airing Wednesdays at 10 PM ET/PT through January. In Wednesday night’s episode Massacres and Matinees (Oct. 15), a citywide curfew threatens to shut down the Freak Show. Dell Toledo (Michael Chiklis), a strongman from Ethel’s (Kathy Bates) troubled past arrives at camp. Gloria (Frances Conroy) arranges a terrifying play date for Dandy (Finn Wittrock). The Tattler Twins (Sarah Paulson) reveal a talent that could knock Elsa (Jessica Lange) from the spotlight.
American Horror Story Freak Show sets its tale in the quiet, sleepy hamlet of Jupiter, Florida. The year is 1952. An ensemble of curiosities has just arrived to town, coinciding with the strange emergence of a dark entity that savagely threatens the lives of townsfolk and freaks alike. This is the story of the performers and their desperate journey of survival amidst the dying world of the American carnival experience. Freak Show features an extraordinary cast including Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe award-winners Jessica Lange and Kathy Bates, Golden Globe Award winner and Academy Award nominee Angela Bassett, Emmy Award nominee Sarah Paulson, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Michael Chiklis, Oscar and Golden Globe award nominee Gabourey Sidibe, Emmy Award nominee and Golden Globe Award winner Frances Conroy, Emmy Award nominee Denis O’Hare, Emmy Award nominee Patti LaBelle, Evan Peters, Emma Roberts, Finn Wittrock, John Carroll Lynch, and Wes Bentley.