‘American Horror Story’ Season 12 — Release Date, Plot, Cast, and More

American Horror Story Season  12, reportedly titled Delicate, is scheduled to premiere on FX on August 1, 2023 — only 10 months following the season 11 premiere in October 2022. However, given that the WGA Writers’ Strike is still in full swing, a delay seems probable, if not certain.

Though Ryan Murphy has had a major hand in sculpting the narratives put forth in every AHS season to date, season 12 taps new primary writer and showrunner Halley Feiffer. Feiffer is well known for her work on American Crime Story, Dear Edward, Roar, Mozart in the Jungle, and more. Though Feiffer will be the sole writer on the upcoming season, she has source material to go off of, as season 12 will be the first AHS season not to feature an original story. 

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‘AHS’ Season 12 is based on the book ‘Delicate Condition’ by Danielle Valentine

Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine is also scheduled for release on August 1, 2023. Meaning, the show and novel will release in tandem — in an usual turn of events that will leave fans to decide whether they wish to read first (and watch later) or read and watch simultaneously, opening a doorway to in-depth episode-by-episode text-to-screen comparisons. 

Though not much is known about the novel at this time, the story follows Anna Alcott who begins to suspect that a sinister figure is going to great lengths to ensure she never gets pregnant. Medicines disappear. Doctors’ appointments are swapped around without any notice. Worst of all: the male doctors at the helm of her pregnancy journey tell her that she’s had a miscarriage when she can still feel the baby moving inside of her. 

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Anna Alcott and her husband live in a Brooklyn apartment before moving to Southampton, Long Island, and the 12th season was filmed in New York City, so it looks like we’re returning to the Big Apple once more for AHS: Delicate.

With a cover that reads “Her body is no longer her own,” the story has been deemed a modern and feminist reimagining of the classic horror Rosemary’s Baby starring Mia Farrow. As for Anna Alcott, Emma Roberts will return to the anthology to take on the primary protagonist, but who else is in the cast? 

‘AHS: Delicate’ Cast 

Alongside Emma Roberts, AHS: Delicate will welcome Kim Kardashian in her largest acting role to date, yet not much is known about her character (other than her name: Tanya). The role was reportedly written with Kardashian in mind, leaving us to wonder if she will play some sort of influencer meets reality star/business owner. Murphy told THR: “Kim is among the biggest and brightest television stars in the world and we are thrilled to welcome her to the AHS family.”

https://twitter.com/KimKardashian/status/1673321996728561666

Supermodel Cara Delevinge, who has also starred in Suicide Squad and Paper Towns, joins the season 12 cast alongside Michaela Jaé Rodriguez of Pose fame, Annabelle Dexter-Jones of Succession, and Matt Czuchry of The Good Wife. AHS alumnus Zachary Quinto, Denis O’Hare, and Billie Lourd are all returning to the anthology. While the upcoming season is bound to feature more familiar faces, fan favorites Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson are not expected to return for Delicate. 

Ryan Murphy on his excitement regarding the upcoming season 

The Emmy-award-winning series has always featured original narratives, making the upcoming installment a major departure from history. Yet, Murphy is quite excited about the season and Kardashian’s role in it, telling THR: 

“Emma and I are excited about collaborating with this true force in the culture. Halley Feiffer has written a fun, stylish and ultimately terrifying role, especially for Kim, and this season is ambitious and unlike anything we have ever done.”

Casting the media mogul has unsurprisingly resulted in a bit of controversy from the devout AHS fanbase. However, if she can pull off the role, it could lead to a career in actual acting. Let’s not forget: people laughed when Cher was cast in Silkwood opposite Meryl Streep, but she went on to snag an Oscar nomination for her performance. She also took home the coveted prize for her leading role in Moonstruck four years later. Cher went from a major pop star to a certified triple threat with earned respect in Tinseltown. 

Not to mention, casting Lady Gaga in season 5 helped pave the way for her ever-growing acting career, leading to starring roles in A Star Is Born and House of Gucci. We’re obviously not implying that Kim Kardashian possesses a Cher or Gaga level of talent, but we should give her the benefit of the doubt until we see what she’s capable of.