Legendary filmmaker and horror icon John Waters is adding another chilling role to his resume. The 79-year-old writer and director, known for his campy classics like Pink Flamingos and Hairspray, surprised fans during a recent spoken word performance in his hometown of Baltimore. He took the stage on Valentine’s Day and dropped a major bombshell about his next project. Waters confirmed that he has joined the cast of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story for its upcoming 13th season, describing his role as a “big new part.”
The announcement came during a Q&A session at the Baltimore Soundstage, where Waters was performing his popular one-man show. The crowd erupted in cheers when he shared the news. This casting adds another layer of excitement to what is already shaping up to be a massive reunion season for the long-running FX horror anthology series. Waters, who turns 80 on April 22, is no stranger to the horror genre, but this marks his first time entering the twisted universe of American Horror Story.
John Waters Jokes About Being Typecast as He Joins the AHS Family
During his Baltimore show, Waters shared the exciting update with his audience. “I’m going to announce tonight something new,” he told the crowd. “I can’t say what role, but I have a big new part in American Horror Story.”
While he kept specific character details under wraps, the cult icon did offer some humorous insight into the types of roles he tends to play. During the audience Q&A, he reflected on his acting career and the characters he is often asked to portray.
“I’m typecast. I’m always either the devil or Chucky’s father… I’ve always been trying to steal Vincent Price’s career.”
The reference to horror legend Vincent Price is fitting. Price was known for his distinctive voice and his roles in classic horror films like House of Wax and The Fly, as well as his narration in Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Waters has long admired Price, even famously saying he prayed he would wake up and be him.
This won’t be Waters’ first time working with Ryan Murphy. He previously appeared in Murphy’s FX series Feud: Bette and Joan in 2017, where he played director William Castle. His other acting credits include roles in the Chucky TV series, where he played the creator of the Good Guy dolls, as well as appearances in Law & Order: SVU and The Blacklist.
A Star-Studded Reunion for AHS Season 13
John Waters joins an absolutely stacked lineup of returning American Horror Story veterans. Ryan Murphy first announced the cast for Season 13 back on Halloween 2025, and the list reads like a “greatest hits” of the franchise’s most beloved actors.
The confirmed cast includes a who’s who of AHS alumni:
- Jessica Lange
- Sarah Paulson
- Evan Peters
- Angela Bassett
- Kathy Bates
- Emma Roberts
- Billie Lourd
- Gabourey Sidibe
- Leslie Grossman
Pop superstar Ariana Grande is also joining the cast, marking her debut in the AHS universe. Grande previously worked with Ryan Murphy on the horror-comedy series Scream Queens back in 2015, alongside Emma Roberts and Billie Lourd.
The return of so many actors from American Horror Story: Coven, the show’s third season which aired in 2013, has led to heavy fan speculation. Many believe Season 13 will revisit the world of witches, voodoo, and New Orleans that made Coven such a fan favorite. Jessica Lange’s return is particularly notable, as she had previously stated she was done with the franchise. Her last appearance was in 2018’s Apocalypse, which itself was a crossover season that continued the Coven storyline.
What to Expect From the New Season
Ryan Murphy Productions has confirmed that American Horror Story Season 13 is scheduled to premiere on Halloween 2026 on FX. The announcement video, set to Vera Lynn’s cover of “I’ll Be Seeing You,” featured the tagline “Surprise, bitch. I bet you thought you’d seen the last of me,” a line famously delivered by Emma Roberts’ character Madison Montgomery in Coven.
While the plot for the new season remains tightly under wraps, the casting hints at a possible continuation or spiritual successor to Coven. The return of so many cast members from that particular season, combined with the spooky Halloween premiere date, has fans buzzing with theories. The season is expected to begin filming in early 2026.
Sarah Paulson, who has appeared in nine seasons of the show, recently opened up about her return. She explained why she needed a break from the intense series but expressed her excitement to rejoin the cast.
“There’s this phenomenon I’ve talked to other actors about that is really hard to describe unless you’re running through the woods simulating terror for six months out of the year, every year,” Paulson shared. “Your body doesn’t know the difference between the real and imagined, at least not the way I work. If I’m terrified, I’m hyperventilating, and I’m running from something, then I’m actually experiencing that.”
She added, “I missed it, and I’m really looking forward to doing it again. It was like this dovetailing of my longing for it, and the idea that I would be reunited with [all of them] just came together at the right time.”
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John Waters’ Busy Schedule Includes 50 Shows This Year
Despite turning 80 this April, John Waters shows no signs of slowing down. He told the Baltimore audience that he has 50 shows lined up for the year, including nearly a dozen performances around his birthday. He is also set to be the keynote speaker at the 2026 Conference & Bookfair for the Association of Writers & Writing Programs in Baltimore next month.
Fans are eager to see how Waters fits his filming schedule for American Horror Story into his already packed calendar. He has managed similar juggling acts before, flying to Canada to film scenes for the Chucky series in between tour dates back in 2023.
The addition of John Waters to the American Horror Story Season 13 cast has only intensified the anticipation for the new season. His unique persona and deadpan delivery should fit perfectly within Ryan Murphy’s brand of stylish, twisted horror. With a cast this massive and talented, Season 13 is shaping up to be an event that longtime fans and newcomers won’t want to miss.
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