American Horror Story’s macabre sweetheart, Lily Rabe, is officially in talks to reprise her role on the acclaimed FX horror-drama’s fifth season.
Rabe, who has appeared in every season of the show so far as different characters, is now set to play a serial killer who lives in the upcoming season’s eponymous hotel. In true American Horror Story style, Hotel will follow an array of characters as they weave intertwining storylines laced with dark intrigue. Joining Rabe in Hotel will be a number of fellow veteran AHS actors; longtime cast members Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, and Evan Peters will star alongside a smattering of newcomers for the fifth season of the FX series.
Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story: Murder House premiered on FX in 2011, and became a cult hit overnight thanks to its unorthodox blend of quality television horror, genuine humor, and outrageous – albeit realistic – characters. Season two of the series, Asylum, deviated entirely from the plot of Murder House. The unexpected plot transition set the precedent for American Horror Story as an anthology show, retaining most of the same cast from season to season, but focusing on a different universe and a different story each year.
Lily Rabe has run the gamut in her roles in the show, appearing as everything from a wispy fortuneteller (Season 1; Murder House) to a Stevie-Nicks-obsessed, shawl-twirling, swamp witch (Season 3; Coven). Her role as a serial murderer in Hotel will be slightly bloodier than her track record on the show, but it will certainly fit in with the rest of Hotel‘s terrifying residents. And with Rabe back on board, season five is sure to be killer.
American Horror Story: Hotel premieres on FX in October.