John Waters, acclaimed director and horror legend, has announced his involvement in the 13th season of American Horror Story, marking a significant addition to the series’ impressive cast. Waters revealed his casting during a Valentine’s Day event in Baltimore, sharing that he will play a substantial role in Ryan Murphy’s ongoing anthology series.
The celebrated filmmaker, known as “The King of Filth,” hinted at his new American Horror Story part but chose to keep details under wraps while addressing a live audience at one of his spoken word shows.
John Waters’ Acting History and Distinctive Roles
While primarily recognized for his directing, Waters has a history of memorable acting roles. He appeared in Law and Order: SVU as a porn trader and featured twice in the horror franchise Chucky, first in Seed of Chucky as a sleazy paparazzo and later as the sinister inventor of the Good Guy dolls in the Chucky television spin-off. Additionally, Waters previously worked with Ryan Murphy on the 2017 FX series, Feud: Bette and Joan, which focused on the well-known rivalry between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.
Reflecting on his typical roles during an audience Q&A, Waters remarked on being typecast.
“I’m always either the devil or Chucky’s father…I’ve always been trying to steal Vincent Price’s career.”
—John Waters, director and actor
Returning and New Cast Members Highlight Season 13
Season 13 reunites several fan favorites, including Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Gabourey Sidibe, Leslie Grossman, and Jessica Lange. Despite earlier denials from Lange regarding her return, the actress remains associated with the cast for this season, much to fans’ surprise.
At the Dublin International Film premiere of her film Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Lange’s reaction to the idea of rejoining the series was succinct.
“Oh Christ no!”💀
—Jessica Lange, actress
Alongside these familiar faces, Ariana Grande will join the ensemble, marking her return to a Ryan Murphy project after appearing in his 2015 series Scream Queens.
Speculations Surrounding the Season’s Theme and Waters’ Potential Character
The cast announcement was made last Halloween, in keeping with the show’s tradition of debuting on the holiday. Speculation about the season’s storyline is already widespread, with many fans anticipating a possible return to the witches’ narrative introduced in season 3’s Coven, given the number of returning actors associated with that theme.
John Waters’ involvement has sparked particular interest, with some hoping he might portray a character with magical abilities, perhaps joining a Witch’s Council or another mystical assembly within the season.
John Waters’ Upcoming Milestones and Workload
Waters’ new role aligns closely with his upcoming 80th birthday on April 22. Despite this milestone, he remains extraordinarily active, scheduling nearly a dozen performances around that time. Speaking to the Baltimore crowd, he noted that age is not slowing him down, with around 50 shows planned for the year.
This prolific schedule demonstrates Waters’ enduring passion for both performing and creative projects, underlining his continued influence in the horror and entertainment world.
“Oh Christ no!”💀
SPIN caught up with #JessicaLange at the Dublin International Film premiere of her latest ‘Long Day's Journey Into Night’, and got her reaction to rejoining the cast of #AmericanHorrorStory 🍿
For the full story see https://t.co/VMbqZge7CX#dublin #irish pic.twitter.com/FTftAgl9R4
— SPIN 1038 (@spin1038) February 27, 2025
