Gone nuclear? Everything you need to know about ‘American Horror Story’ S8

Every year, American Horror Story is one of the most anticipated TV shows on the circuit, with the blood-soaked horror anthology going for broke with every season, ramping up the sex, violence, and omg scares each time and presenting a series-long storyline with its own beginning, middle, and end.

American Horror Story: Cult wrapped up last November and since then there’s been minimal info about season eight, which was announced all the way back in January 2017. However, creator Ryan Murphy has dropped a few breadcrumbs along the way and we’re here to gobble those crumbs up like the hungry little AHS addicts we are. Here’s a ranking of the American Horror Story S8 clues and tidbits so far:

The release date

American Horror Story season eight will air in 2018, that much we know. But since production doesn’t start until June and we therefore don’t have an exact date, this deet is definitely the least exciting on the list. Murphy has previously outlined how he likes to wrap up a show before the holiday season because “I just don‘t want blood with my Christmas ornaments.” Who does? As such, we might just be in for a fall / winter release, but of course that’s just speculation (and a bit of wishful thinking).

The cast – old and new

We’ll be seeing some AHS regulars returning, including Sarah Paulson (Carol) and Evan Peters (X-Men: Apocalypse), as well as Kathy Bates (Misery), who sat out for the last season. Murphy confirmed to Entertainment Weekly, “Kathy and Sarah Paulson have a lot of great stuff to get to do. So, with Evan Peters, the three of them are the leads this year.”

As always, there will be some fresh faces too, including Dame Joan Collins (Dynasty) who has been confirmed as another lead. Speaking at the show’s pre-Emmy voting For Your Consideration event in Los Angeles earlier this month, Murphy announced Peters will play a comedic hair stylist, while Collins will play his grandmother. Quite frankly, we can’t wait to see one of Hollywood’s darlings in her first trip to Murphy land. The creator also revealed he’s “talking” to Anjelica Huston (The Witches), although a representative for the actress has yet to comment on whether or not this is true.

The actors will become the directors

Well, not all of them. But apparently Paulson and Peters will astep behind the camera to direct episodes in season eight. Let’s see what they pull out of the bag.

Instagram post – a clue to the theme?

Okay, so this one’s a bit of a stretch, but stick with it. Back in July, Murphy posted a screenshot of an Instagram note listing the nine circles of hell. Next to seven of the circles were the matching seasons of AHS, the only two left being lust and violence. Many fans reckon this suggests season eight and season nine (which is happening, btw) will focus on the remaining two sins. While this does seem plausible, it’s kinda funny since every season of AHS features heavy doses of lust and violence – we hope it’s true, just to see how Murphy outdoes himself.

It will return to the fantastical

Following season seven’s cult run – which featured political themes and saw Paulson’s character winning the election as an alternative narrative to the Clinton / Trump outcome – Murphy revealed the next instalment will be “heightened” and will return to the fantasy realm of some of his earlier seasons. “It’s not necessarily as real and grounded as the past season. We’re sort of getting back to Asylum and Coven. That’s the tone of it.” We’re stoked Murphy’s taking AHS back to its roots.

It’s set in the not-too-distant future, offering a radioactive clue

During the FYC event, Murphy also confirmed season eight will take place in the near future, “18 months from today,” urging fans to look up what might be taking place then. So they did and what they discovered is a potentially major clue as to the theme of this season’s run. Before we go into the theory, bear in mind Twitter account @HHNRumors published a tweet stating a trademark had allegedly been filed by 20th Century Fox for American Horror Story: Radioactive. The tweet was circulated on the internet, with many guessing this will be the title for season eight.

Combining this knowledge with the clue from Murphy, Reddit user Gato1980 wrote “October 6th will be the 58th anniversary of President Kennedy telling Americans to build nuclear bomb shelters. I know it’s kind of a stretch and probably not right, I just thought it might have something to do with the ‘Nuclear’ title of the season that’s been floating around.” Has he cracked it? Time will tell, folks. Keep your eyes peeled for more tasty, tasty crumbs.