‘There’s This Phenomenon’: Ahead Of Sarah Paulson’s Return To American Horror Story, She Explains Her Break From The Franchise

by

Ryan Murphy’s shows are famous for their distinctive look and frequently feature a familiar group of actors. Sarah Paulson is a key member of this ensemble, having appeared in most seasons of American Horror Story (available on Hulu). While she’ll return for Season 13, she recently explained why she needed a break from the show’s scary storylines.

Viewers were excited when Season 13 of American Horror Story was announced, especially because several original cast members were returning, including Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson. Paulson hadn’t appeared in the last two seasons, NYC and Delicate, and she recently explained her reasons for taking a break from the show in an interview with Variety.

Many actors experience something difficult to explain: when you intensely simulate emotions like terror for extended periods, your body starts to react as if those feelings are real. For me, if I’m acting terrified – breathing rapidly and running – my body genuinely responds as though I’m in actual danger.

Look, it totally makes sense why Sarah Paulson needed a break from American Horror Story. Being a ‘Scream Queen’ sounds glamorous, but it’s incredibly demanding physically. Your body doesn’t differentiate between real fear and acting, and all that stress really takes a toll. She clearly needed time to recharge, but thankfully, she’s returning for the intriguing thirteenth season, and I have a feeling she’ll be bringing her A-game.

Sarah Paulson has become a fan favorite on American Horror Story because she consistently takes on very diverse roles. She’s even played multiple characters within a single season, like in Hotel. Over the years, audiences have seen her portray characters who experience a wide range of intense emotions and often meet tragic ends – it’s definitely demanding work!

YouTube TV: $82.99 a Month

Thinking about cutting the cord and switching to internet TV? YouTube TV offers live channels for news, sports, and your favorite shows from major networks. See the latest deal here.

Besides American Horror Story, Sarah Paulson has collaborated with Ryan Murphy on American Crime Story and, most recently, the Hulu series All’s Fair. While critics haven’t been kind to All’s Fair, it’s proven popular with viewers on the streaming platform. Later in the interview, Paulson shared her reasons for returning to the horror anthology series, explaining that:

I was sad to miss it, but I’m excited to do it again soon. It felt perfectly timed – my desire to be part of it and the chance to reconnect with everyone finally aligned.

It seems the cast of American Horror Story season 13 has excited her, because she’ll be working with many familiar faces, including Jessica Lange, Emma Roberts, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Billie Lourd, and others. Combined with her time off from the show, she’s thrilled to be reuniting with these actors.

A new season of American Horror Story didn’t air this Halloween, but Season 13 is planned for next fall as part of the 2026 TV lineup. We’re hoping to learn more about the season’s theme and exact release date soon.

Read More

2025-12-05 02:38