Series cast summary: | |||
Evan Peters | ... |
Jimmy Darling
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(73 episodes, 2011-2016)
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Sarah Paulson | ... |
Bette Tattler
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(64 episodes, 2011-2016)
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Denis O'Hare | ... |
Spalding
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(60 episodes, 2011-2016)
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Jessica Lange | ... |
Elsa Mars
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(51 episodes, 2011-2015)
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Kathy Bates | ... |
Ethel Darling
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(48 episodes, 2013-2016)
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Angela Bassett | ... |
Desiree Dupree
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(47 episodes, 2013-2016)
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Lily Rabe | ... |
Sister Mary Eunice McKee
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(46 episodes, 2011-2016)
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Frances Conroy | ... |
Gloria Mott
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(42 episodes, 2011-2015)
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Both physical and psychological horrors affect a decomposing family, workers and residents of an insane asylum, a coven of witches, a cast of circus freaks, and the employees and guests at a struggling hotel in this haunting anthology series, focusing on the themes of infidelity, sanity, oppression, discrimination, and addiction.
Initially I was left wondering how - what essentially is a short horror movie - could be made in to a long running TV series, but after a few episodes I started to realise that it's the Ryan Murphy magic that is sustaining this outstanding show.
Much like Nip/Tuck, you have to suspend your belief and see this as purely entertainment. There's so many open ended narratives that are slowly unfolding and although at times the show verges on the edge of cliché, a single episode could easily match the brilliance of such horror classics like The Amityville Horror and The People Under the Stairs.
At the end of every episode I feel shocked that 40 minutes have gone by, which is a sure sign that this show is pure, unadulterated, entertainment.