Michele K. Short/FXSorry about your increased electric bill, but you'll be keeping the lights on a little longer.
American Horror Story has been renewed for a fifth season after Freak Show's premiere set a new ratings record for FX. The season four opener attracted 10 million total viewers with Live+3 DVR playback factored in, making it the most-watched telecast in the network's history.
Season five will be 13 episodes and premiere in October 2015, with season four running through January 2015. And co-creator Ryan Murphy already knows what season five will be about, teasing that star Sarah Paulson "really loves" her character and spilling that there are Easter eggs in the first two episodes of Freak Show that hint at where it will be set.
"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," FX boss John Landgraf said in a statement. "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."
Of course, season five will be missing one important element: star Jessica Lange, who has said season four will be her last with the series, but Murphy said he isn't letting her go without a fight.
"I'm never accepting [that she will leave]," Murphy said before hinting Lange may be softening her resolve. "Before I was met with a really quick no and now I'm hearing, ‘Let's keep talking.' So that's a promising sign. I think if I presented her with the right character, it could work. That's my hope. I'm sending bribes every day!"
AHS airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on FX.