Denis O’Hare speaks about the dynamic of a recurring cast in an anthology series like ‘American Horror Story’ and the prospect of returning for season five….
By Damon Martin — Editor/Lead Writer
Anthology series are all the rage these days with television viewers.
There’s a fevered pitch surround season 2 of HBO’s series ‘True Detective’ and with each piece of casting news excitement continues to grow bout ‘Fargo’ returning for a second season as well.
But both of these series came after ‘American Horror Story’, which set the stage for the anthology renaissance going on right now. The series created by Ryan Murphy brought in an all-star cast for the first season, but then a shocking announcement was made towards the tail end of the run — most of the cast would be back, but the story and characters would be completely different.
What?
Everybody seemed shocked by this idea four seasons ago but now as ‘American Horror Story’ continues to rack up ratings with the latest installment titled ‘Freak Show’, the fans and viewers are all on board for this new slate/new story each and every year. One thing that truly separates ‘American Horror Story’ from other series like ‘True Detective’ is the fact that they do use mostly the same cast every year.
Jessica Lange has been the lead for all four seasons, although there are still rumors this one may be her last. Actresses like Sarah Paulson have stuck around each and every year as well as Evan Peters, who has played a role in all four seasons. Denis O’Hare, who moved to ‘American Horror Story’ after a critically acclaimed turn on HBO’s vampire series ‘True Blood’ has been in three out of the four seasons of the show — this year playing a sociopathic con man named Stanley.
O’Hare can’t help but to lap up all of the insanely twisted ideas Murphy throws the cast each season he has a new idea, but part of the charm behind ‘American Horror Story’ is the chemistry developed between the actors and actresses who stick around from season to season instead of switching them out like interchangeable parts.
“I think the cast is a really big element,” O’Hare told NerdcoreMovement.com. “As I said before, I think Ryan’s got really good taste in people. I think bringing more people like Danny Huston, who is such a great actor, and I mean, come on getting Patti LaBelle to show up is an amazing idea, as well as Adam Levine in season 2. And so I think that the cast brings a certain energy, but it’s the recurring cast, people who return, who I think really make this thing solid.
“Seeing Franny Conroy every year, such a splendid actor, and Franny brings an incredible intelligence to everything she does. She’s not just going to walk in and say the lines. She’s going to debate you about is this appropriate, debate you about the storyline, in a very good way, and then she’s going to bring all of her ferocity and devotion to that. I felt like finding, I know Finn Wittrock this year was quite a discovery, and it would be great to have him back. It was great to see Gaby Sidibe come back again. Year after year that sort of familiarity, we have a familiarity with how Ryan works, we have a familiarity with what to expect, and so we are able to bring our A game. It’s a demanding set and it’s a really crazy world we have to descend into.”
Murphy has already said he has ideas in mind for season 5 of ‘American Horror Story’ although he’ll be putting it together at the same time as he’s developing two new shows set to debut in 2015 as well. The writer/producer already has ‘American Crime Story’ picked up at FX, which is a sister series of sorts to ‘American Horror Story’, which will focus in on true crimes from the United States. The first season will be titled ‘The People vs. O.J. Simpson’ focusing in on the famous court case surrounding the former NFL star and his alleged involvement in the murder of his ex-wife and her friend, Ronald Goldman.
He also has ‘Scream Queens’ coming to FOX with ‘American Horror Story’ favorite Emma Roberts set to star alongside legendary horror actress Jamie Lee Curtis. Murphy’s main focus still seems to be ‘American Horror Story’ considering the ratings the show pulls not to mention the fanfare that surrounds the ultra-popular show. While Murphy hasn’t let the cat out of the bag yet for what he’s working on with season 5, he has stated in past interviews that there will be clues stuck into the current season as well as confirming that all of the seasons of ‘American Horror Story’ are connected in some way, shape or form.
With that said, O’Hare hasn’t officially been invited back for season 5, but Murphy has indicated that he wants the actor back for some role next year. O’Hare won’t confirm anything until he gets the official call, but chances are he’ll have a role in the new season when production kicks up in 2015.
“It’s Ryan’s world and we just wait for word. He would love for me to be in next season, but that’s an informal invitation,” O’Hare stated. “When I joined last year I signed a two year contract, so the idea is that I would come back for this year. But until he comes up with the idea and until he finds parts for us, we really have to wait.
“Last year I got a call, I think about mid-January, where he offered me Stanley, so this year if it all follows the same pattern I should be hearing from him sometime in January or February.”
As far as parts to play, O’Hare says he’s enjoyed all of the roles Murphy has dreamed up for him over the years. Whether he was a deranged ex-husband from season one or the maniacal and disfigured butler Spaulding in season three, O’Hare just seems to get some of the most interesting parts for anybody on ‘American Horror Story’.
It’s a big part of the reason O’Hare loves doing the show because each time he returns he has a different role and a brand new challenge to attack as an actor. He’s very excited about what Murphy might cook up for him next.
“I’m excited and anxious to see what they’re going to come up with, and I will say yes to whatever I’m told to do,” O’Hare said.
‘American Horror Story: Freak Show’ will continue this Wednesday night on FX at 10pm ET before the season wraps up in early 2015.
