As American Horror Story prepares for its 13th season, there have been many rumors about which original actors could return, and I’m disappointed about the return of one of them, but there’s a way around it. Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s horror anthology TV series American Horror Story has dominated the genre on TV for over a decade. Despite recent seasons not having the same success as past ones, American Horror Story continues to be quite popular, so much so that it was renewed for a 13th season after the underwhelming 12th season, Delicate.

plot details about American Horror Story season 13 are currently unknown, a lot has been said about the original actors who could return – and though now there’s no hope for one, in particular, there’s still a way to have them around.

Jessica Lange Isn’t Open To Returning To American Horror Story Season 13

No More Jessica Lange In American Horror Story

One of the most beloved original American Horror Story actors is Jessica Lange. Lange ed American Horror Story in its first season, Murder House, where she played Constance Langdon, a character she would go on to reprise in season 8, Apocalypse. Despite not being the recurring actor who has appeared the most in American Horror Story, Lange’s image has been inevitably linked to the show, and with good reason. Lange’s performances are some of the best things of the seasons she starred in, with her role as Sister Jude in Asylum standing out.

At the time of writing, American Horror Story has only been renewed for season 13, so it has been theorized that it could be the show’s final season. Whether that’s true or not, it has been a long time since Lange appeared in American Horror Story and it would be great to have her back in season 13 – unfortunately, she doesn’t share that feeling. Speaking to Lange was asked about the possibility of her return to American Horror Story season 13, and she had a very blunt and disappointing answer.

Lange said “oh Christ, no” and reiterated that she wouldn’t return for season 13 even if it was the final season with a simple and direct “no.” With that, Lange has ended all hope I had for her return in American Horror Story season 13, and her response was too direct and honest to be one of those cases where the actor wants to mislead the audience.

Why Jessica Lange Hasn’t Returned To American Horror Story Since Season 8

Jessica Lange’s Last Appeared In American Horror Story: Apocalypse

Jessica Lange was part of five seasons of American Horror Story: Murder House as Constance Langdon, Asylum as Sister Jude, Coven as Fiona Goode, Freak Show as Elsa Mars, and Apocalypse as Constance once more, though this time as a special guest cast member. This means that Lange hasn’t had a lead role in American Horror Story since Freak Show, but even though her blunt answer to returning to season 13 might give a different idea, there’s no bad blood between Lange and Murphy and Falchuk.

Lange’s time in American Horror Story was always meant to end with season 4, but her return in Apocalypse wasn’t in her plans.

Speaking to Deadline in 2015, Lange shared that she originally only agreed to the show for just one season, and because she had a great time doing it, she agreed to return for three more seasons. Lange’s time in American Horror Story, then, was always meant to end with season 4, but her return in Apocalypse wasn’t in her plans. Lange told The Wrap in 2019 that Murphy convinced her to return by telling her about Constance’s relationship with the children, her substance-use disorder, and her death.

Lange hasn’t returned as a main or guest star cast member since Apocalypse and all of her characters in American Horror Story are officially dead, so there hasn’t been a chance for her to reprise her roles. After hearing her blunt reaction to a return to the show for what could be the final season, it doesn’t seem like Murphy could convince her to one more time.

American Horror Story Season 13 Without Jessica Lange Would Be Disappointing

American Horror Story Season 13 Won’t Have A Complete Reunion Of Original Actors

Although it’s not official, there’s a lot of speculation about American Horror Story season 13 being the show’s final season, which would be very fitting. At the time of writing, no cast have been confirmed for American Horror Story season 13, nor has the season’s horror theme been announced or teased, but following the thought of it being the final season, there are some original AHS actors that would be great to see again.

If Peters and Paulson truly return and it’s the final season, it’s going to be very disappointing not having one of the best original actors back.

Speculation of season 13 being the show’s last only grew when Murphy revealed Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson were in talks to return, but there haven’t been any updates since then. No other original American Horror Story actors have been revealed to be in talks or consideration for season 13, but Peters and Paulson are two names strong enough to make me and many others believe there could be hope for a Jessica Lange return – and if Peters and Paulson truly return and it’s the final season, it’s going to be very disappointing not having one of the best original actors back.

American Horror Story Season 13 Can Still Honor Jessica Lange (Without Her Return)

American Horror Story Is A Connected Universe

Even without Jessica Lange in American Horror Story, season 13 can still honor her. The reason why Lange’s Constance was brought back in Apocalypse is because that was the season that confirmed some (if not all) seasons are connected, and Constance was key to that link. As mentioned above, all of Lange’s characters are dead, but season 13 can still make a couple of references to them, which shouldn’t be difficult. The legend of Murder House and what Tate Langdon did are known across the universe of American Horror Story, so mentioning Constance is possible.

Sister Jude left her mark at Briarcliff and Fiona was once the coven’s Supreme, which automatically makes her a legend among witches in American Horror Story. The story of Elsa Mars before and after her Freak Show is quite tragic, and it could be referenced in season 13. I don’t lose hope in Ryan Murphy using the right words again to convince Jessica Lange to return to American Horror Story, but for now, it’s disappointing that she won’t be in season 13.

Sources: Deadline, The Wrap.