EW was the first to debut the new images from “American Horror Story: Freak Show”, which premieres Wednesday, October 8 at 10 PM ET/PT.
In Episode 4.01, “Monsters Among Us,” written by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, and directed by Ryan Murphy: “One of the only surviving sideshows in the country struggles to stay in business during the dawning era of television. When police make a terrifying discovery at a local farmhouse, the eccentric purveyor of the freak show sees an opportunity that will lead her troupe either to their salvation or ruin.”
Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Frances Conroy, Sarah Paulson, Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe and Evan Peters return. New cast includes Michael Chiklis, Wes Bentley, John Carroll Lynch, Finn Wittrock, Patti LaBelle and the world’s smallest living woman, Jyoti Amge.
In the images you’ll see the bearded lady, the strong man and more. Here’s a bit of info that came out of an interview in EW…
”My character is very manipulative,” says Lange to EW. “She understands what’s needed and she provides it. However the thing I want to be very clear that Elsa really loves these people. She truly cares for them in her own selfish narcissistic way. It’s not just exploitation.”
Elsa’s troupe includes Jimmy (Evan Peters), who was born with lobster-like hands, and his mother, bearded lady Ethel (Kathy Bates). “Ethel is basically Elsa’s right hand woman,” says co-creator Ryan Murphy. “She helps run the camp, and she’s sort of the guardian of the law. She had a real tragedy in that she was a real circus star in the ‘20s and 30s and then she had her baby and she became a down-and-out drunk, and Elsa saved her.”
Adding more drama to the tents is the arrival of Ethel’s ex-husband (and Jimmy’s father) Dell Toledo, a strongman who’s on the run from the law. “Jimmy is the big man on campus and is the male leader of the group until Dell comes and they begin to battle for power under Elsa,” says Murphy. Then there’s Dell’s new wife, Desiree Dupree, a three-breasted performer played by Angela Bassett. The role requires Bassett to wear a prosthetic that covers her entire chest. “Angela likes to flash them,” jokes Paulson. “She’s like, ‘Look at my 3 boobs!’”
Even freakier than a tri-boob? This season’s main villain, a nasty fella (and murderer) named Twisty the Clown (John Carroll Lynch). The evil Bozo has retired in Jupiter and is not thrilled by the arrival of the freak show. “He’s out to make their lives a living hell,” explains Murphy. “He’s wearing a mask on the lower part of his face and there comes a point in the season where takes the mask off and when you see what’s under you will faint in terror.”
