"American Horror Story: Asylum" is about to come to a nail-biting end. While some showrunners would rest on their laurels, Ryan Murphy is diving into his plan for Season 3 before the final episode even airs. At a recent press event, the creator of "Nip/Tuck," "Glee," and "T he New Normal " talked about what fans can expect from the next installment of "AHS."
1. Jessica Lange will return
Murphy confirmed that his Emmy Award-winning star, Jessica Lange, will return for Season 3. After playing the creepy neighbor Constance Langdon and the troubled nun Sister Jude, he's promises to create another unique character for the upcoming installment.Murphy explained how he got the legendary star to sign-up yet again: "I did everything she asked, which was the location, and I also told her that she will have complete hair, make-up, and the best designer gowns ever. She said, 'Please don't put me in a wimple again.' So she's going to play a really glamor cat lady in Season 3."
2. Sarah Paulson will be back
Although Sarah Paulson is committed to come back for another season, Murphy wouldn't reveal anything about her role just yet. And he admitted that even Paulson doesn't know who she'll be playing.3. Evan Peters has signed on, too
In "Death House," Evan Peters took on the role of the emotionally troubled teen murderer Tate Langdon. He agreed to play Kit Walker in "Asylum" after Murphy promised that he'd play a less weepy and more grounded soul. As for what's to come for Peters, Murphy laughed, "Next year he'll probably go back to a sobbing psychopath."4. Season 3 will have a lighter tone
Murphy conceded that "Asylum" was a much darker relentless assault on the audience that "Murder House" had been. He plans to ease up a bit when the show comes back. The new husband and father attributes the change in tone to his own personality shift: "As a person right now I do feel lighter and maybe wanting to embrace something a little bit more fun."5. There'll be an icon with a feminine touch
Murphy shocked TV viewers of "Murder House" with Rubber Man, who seemed tame in comparison to "Asylum's" Bloody Face. The show runner confirmed that there will be a new figurehead in Season 3, teasing, "We do have a great icon, and it's a woman."6. Look for star-crossed lovers
The 47-year-old showrunner plans to explore the concept of star-crossed lovers. But he said that doesn't mean the storyline will instantly go to young actors like Peters. He noted, "Norma Shearer did 'Romeo and Juliet' when she was 42. So it could go either way. It could be Jessica Lange."7. But not for aliens
There will not, however, be any more visitors from outer space. Although he liked the plot point in Season 2, Murphy conceded that it was polarizing to the audience, and he won't be reintroducing aliens in the next installment.8. There could be a dance number
"Asylum's" most unexpected moment came when Sister Jude and the inmates broke into their own version of "The Name Game." And there could be more singing and dancing in Season 3 now that Lange is "an iTunes hit," as Murphy called her.9. There'll be old faces behind the camera
Murphy confirmed that director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon will return in an increased capacity as a producer who will oversee the visual style of the show and helm roughly every third episode. The show's production designer, costumer, and director of photography will also return.10. The format will remain the same
As unusual as the mini-series format is, Murphy said he'll stick with it. The story will unfold in three cities, in different time periods and, as he remarked, "It has a beginning, middle, and an end. It's very novelistic."Tune in to the "American Horror Story: Asylum" finale on Wednesday, 1/23 at 10 PM ET FX.
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