“American Horror Story,” FX’s hit supernatural drama series, will be renewed for a fourth season, according to an announcement by network CEO, John Landgraf. Season 4 will be comprised of 13 episodes.
“Put simply, Ryan Murphy is a master television producer,” said Landgraf. “Time and time again he reinvents the form. What he, co-creator Brad Falchuk and their producers Dante Di Loreto, Tim Minear, Jennifer Salt, James Wong, Brad Buecker, Jessica Sharzer, Douglas Petrie, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Alexis Martin Woodall and the entire production team and cast responsible for the American Horror Story franchise have done is nothing short of extraordinary. Every year, they create a riveting and brilliant new miniseries. AHS: Coven is the best yet, and I have no doubt that the next installment will be even better.”
Season 3 of the series, titled “American Horror Story: Coven” is averaging 7.74 million total viewers, per episode, outpacing last season’s installment by a staggering 83% in total viewers, reports Shadow & Act.
With nine episodes left in the season, “American Horror Story: Coven” is set to put up the biggest ratings numbers of any program in FX history. “Coven’s” first two episodes were the highest-rated single telecasts in delivery of Adults 18-34 in FX’s history. This season also ranks as the highest-rated miniseries of 2013 in delivery of Adults 18-49 and Adults 18-34.
“American Horror Story: Coven” features the acting talents of Angela Bassett and Gabourey Sidibe which may have helped the show grow in popularity by attracting a previously non-existent Black audience. The idea is supported in a recent article about a study that found that TV shows with diverse cast members perform better.
However, Season 4 may not return Bassett or Sidibe, because each season is its own self-contained mini-series, with very little connection to other seasons. Perhaps FX has taken note of the importance of including Black actors and actresses.
Aside from Basset and Sidibe, “American Horror Story: Coven” features an extraordinary cast including: Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, Emma Roberts, Frances Conroy, Lily Rabe, Denis O’Hare, Jamie Brewer, Alexander Dreymon, Josh Hamilton, Patti LuPone, and Danny Huston.
Since its debut, the franchise has earned a total of 34 Emmy Award nominations.
