Is Sarah Paulson quitting ‘American Horror Story’?

American Horror Story is currently on its tenth season, and since its debut, the show has gained a mass following. While there have been many different storylines, characters, and eras along the way, one thing has stayed true pretty much the entire time; the beloved cast. 

Even though the show is known for its anthology approach, actors like Evan Peters, Kathy Bates, Lily Rabe, and Sarah Paulson have made their way back to the series, even if they took a season or two off. 

Fans were happy to see Paulson back in action as the worrisome, but headstrong Tuberculosis Karen, but reports say this may be her last American Horror Story character. Why is Paulson potentially taking a step back from the series even though the horror series has been greenlighted for three more seasons? Let’s find out.

Why Sarah Paulson might leave

Next to alum Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson has almost always been in a leading role and has embodied each of her characters every time. It would seem like Paulson would welcome the recurring roles and creative parts, but that’s not the case.

After almost a decade, it seems like Paulson is ready to hang up her bloody American Horror Story coat and move on. Paulson revealed she’s currently “unsure” of her future on the show during a recent interview, and AHS: Double Feature may be her last. 

But don’t get too upset yet, because things are still up in the air. In the interview, Paulson mentioned, “I don’t know. It’s the first time in about three years where I don’t know. I think this is my last season of Horror Story, probably.” 

She goes on to say, “I mean, I don’t know. Every time he (Ryan Murphy) comes to me with some whack-a-doodle-stoodle character, I tend to be like, ‘Yes! Let’s do it!’ But I don’t know. This is the first time so, we’ll see.” 

It’s almost impossible to think Paulson could leave the show since she’s such a big part of it, but as she said, the cards are up in the air for now. Let’s cross our fingers that creator Ryan Murphy will draw her back in with another “whack-a-doodle” character once more.

AHS: Double-Feature

Speaking of Ryan Murphy and American Horror Story, let’s take a shallow dive into the current season, AHS: Double-Feature. Beware of minor spoilers beyond this point, but we’ll try not to reveal too much. 

First off, Season 10 is truly unlike any other American Horror Story season because it divides itself in two to give viewers two worlds, with two different sets of characters in one season. Usually, fans have to wait until the next season to see a new era or storyline, but not when it comes to Double Feature.

While the first half, Red Tide, is focused on an odd coastal town in Cape Cod, MA, the second half is named Part 2: Death Valley. So far, we’ve gotten magical black pills that turn talented people into geniuses of their craft and blood-sucking vampire-esque ghouls who are subtly talented. 

The most recent episode, “Blood Buffet”, showed us the backstory of Provincetown and the residents that dwell in it. What will happen to Harry Gardner (Finn Wittrock) and his family? Will Alma (Lily Rabe) safely have her baby? Time will only tell.

Sarah Paulson’s best AHS characters

Murder House was American Horror Story’s first season, so it’s hard to beat it and the characters. Speaking of, Billie Dean Howard was Paulson’s first character on the show and one of her best. It wasn’t as primary as the roles she’d go on to take in future seasons, but it gave viewers a taste of her talent. 

By season 3, viewers had endured a haunted house in present-day Los Angeles and a 1950s asylum. Next on the list was a story about a school for witches in the season, Coven. Paulson played Cordelia Goode, daughter of a Supreme Witch, and by the end of the season, she became a Supreme herself. 

Cordelia was selfless and protected her coven at all costs, even against her mother, Fiona (Jessica Lange).

Finally, the best of Paulson’s characters thus far is Lana Winters in Asylum. She truly embodied her character and made her struggles, pain, and torment real enough for viewers to feel it themselves. 

She took on the role of a fearless investigative reporter with a bone to pick with Briarcliff Manor. She even went head-to-head with Jessica Lange, which was entertaining to watch.

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What’s your favorite Sarah Paulson character in American Horror Story? Let us know in the comments below!