American Horror Story Is Doing Something Totally Different For Season 8

american horror story season 7 kai
(Image credit: Image courtesy of FX)

American Horror Story has gone in some wild directions over the years, ranging from putting a twist on the classic haunted house story to adding a spin of murder and mayhem to current events. There have been witches and murderers and cults. As of the end of Season 7, it was was difficult to imagine what could possibly be in store in the next chapter of the anthology series. Now, American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy has revealed the big way that the show will be entirely different in Season 8, saying this:

All I'll say about it is I want to go to the future -- still topical, but the future, which I've never done.

There we have it! Season 8 of American Horror Story will take the action into the future. Ryan Murphy was unwilling to say more about what he envisions for the new episodes, although he did clarify that going to the future does not mean going into space. Whatever happens will still be set on Earth. No details are currently available about the cast. Still, I'd put my money on Ryan Murphy regulars Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters at least appearing. While both are plenty busy with other projects, American Horror Story just wouldn't feel like American Horror Story without these two on board, and they've proven time and time again that they can switch characters without any trouble.

That said, we shouldn't start placing bets on who will and will not be back for Season 8 just yet. Ryan Murphy went on at the TCA semi-annual press tour (via EW) to explain just how recently he came up with the idea of setting the eighth season in the future and got the approval from the network:

I pitched it to [FX chief] John Landgraf today right after his TCA panel, and he loved it, but he's asked me not to say what it is. I told him and he fell out of his chair with joy. I think people will like it, it's different from what we've done before, but I always try and do the opposite of what I've done on that show.

The FX head honcho is on board, although he apparently didn't want Ryan Murphy to spill the beans about the plan for Season 8 so quickly. He only just found out about the idea himself! All things considered, it's not especially surprising that John Landgraf would quickly sign off on American Horror Story going to the future. Ryan Murphy projects have been huge successes for the network so far, and he probably has a fair amount of trust from FX.

If you're now in the mood to rewatch (or watch) earlier seasons of American Horror Story, you can find the first six seasons streaming on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. The next batch of episodes of a Ryan Murphy anthology will be The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, which will debut on Wednesday, January 17 at 10 p.m. ET on FX. For your other viewing options now and in the coming weeks, check out our midseason TV premiere guide and our 2018 Netflix premiere schedule.

Laura Hurley
Senior Content Producer

Laura turned a lifelong love of television into a valid reason to write and think about TV on a daily basis. She's not a doctor, lawyer, or detective, but watches a lot of them in primetime. CinemaBlend's resident expert and interviewer for One Chicago, the galaxy far, far away, and a variety of other primetime television. Will not time travel and can cite multiple TV shows to explain why. She does, however, want to believe that she can sneak references to The X-Files into daily conversation (and author bios).