| Bgcolour: |
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| Showrunner: | Ryan Murphy |
| Num Episodes: | 10 |
| Network: | FX |
| Prev Season: | Cult |
| Next Season: | 1984 |
| Episode List: | List of American Horror Story episodes |
The eighth season of the American horror anthology television series American Horror Story, subtitled Apocalypse, features the witches from the New Orleans coven as they battle the Antichrist and attempt to prevent the world from ending. The season is presented as a crossover between Murder House, Coven, and Hotel. The ensemble cast includes Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Adina Porter, Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, Cody Fern, Emma Roberts, Cheyenne Jackson, and Kathy Bates, with all returning from previous seasons, except newcomer Fern.
Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for the cable network FX, the series is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. Apocalypse set in 2026 was broadcast between September 12 and November 14, 2018, consisting of 10 episodes. The season was announced in January 2017 and received positive reviews from critics. In April 2019, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which presents the Primetime Emmy Awards, announced that, for the first time in the series' history, a season would not qualify for the Limited Series categories, and would instead be moved to Drama.[1] Apocalypse was ultimately nominated to five categories, including Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Jessica Lange.
See main article: List of American Horror Story cast members.
See also: List of American Horror Story episodes.
On January 12, 2017, the series was renewed for an eighth season, which premiered on September 12, 2018.[2] [3] In October 2016, series co-creator Ryan Murphy announced a "crossover" season between previous cycles Murder House and Coven.[4] In January 2018, he stated that the ninth season would most likely feature the crossover; however, in June 2018, he announced that the eighth season was chosen instead.[5] Murphy has also stated that the eighth season would be set 18 months in the future and would feature an Asylum and Coven tone.[6] [7] In July 2018, it was announced at San Diego Comic-Con that the title of the season would be Apocalypse.[8]
In April 2018, it was revealed that series veteran Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters would make their directorial debut in an episode.[9] It was later revealed that Paulson would direct the sixth episode. Peters, in the end, did not direct an episode.
As with previous seasons, several teasers were released.[10] On September 4, 2018, a short trailer was released, followed by a longer trailer the next day.[11] [12]
In October 2017, it was announced that series mainstay Sarah Paulson would return for the season. In March 2018, it was announced that Kathy Bates and Evan Peters would also return, leading the season with Paulson.[13] In April 2018, Joan Collins joined the cast as the grandmother of Peters' character.[7] In April and May 2018, Cult actors Adina Porter, Cheyenne Jackson, Billy Eichner, Leslie Grossman, and Billie Lourd were also confirmed to return.[14] [15]
In June 2018, Emma Roberts revealed that she would return for Apocalypse, reprising her role as Madison Montgomery from Coven.[16] That same month, Murphy revealed that other witches from Coven had all been invited to return,[16] and also stated that he had asked Anjelica Huston to join the cast,[17] while Paulson confirmed that she would reprise her Coven role, Cordelia Goode. In July 2018, it was reported that Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman and Kyle Allen would guest star in the season.[18] Later that month, Murphy revealed via Twitter that American Crime Story actor Cody Fern joined the cast as a grown-up Michael Langdon, the Antichrist born during the events of Murder House.[19]
In August 2018, Pose actor Billy Porter announced via Instagram that he would appear in the season.[20] Later, during the Television Critics Association press tour, it was announced that Jessica Lange would appear in the season's sixth episode as her Murder House character, Constance Langdon.[21] After FX released the season's first teaser, actress Lesley Fera revealed via Twitter that she would appear in the season premiere.[22] Later, Ryan Murphy confirmed via Twitter that Taissa Farmiga, Gabourey Sidibe, Lily Rabe, Frances Conroy, and Stevie Nicks would all appear during the season,[23] and that they would all reprise the roles they played in Coven.[24] [25] In the same month, Angela Bassett, who appeared in four previous seasons, confirmed that she would not appear in the season;[24] however, Bassett appeared in the last episode of the season, playing Marie Laveau, the role she played in Coven. Later, Finn Wittrock, who appeared in three past seasons, confirmed that he would not appear in Apocalypse.[26] The same day, it was announced that original cast members Connie Britton and Dylan McDermott would be returning for the season,[27] and Ryan Murphy later confirmed that they would reprise their Murder House roles, Vivien and Ben Harmon, respectively.[28] Later, Murphy revealed that Evan Peters and Taissa Farmiga would be reprising their Murder House roles, Tate Langdon and Violet Harmon, respectively.[29]
In September 2018, it was revealed that Erika Ervin would be returning for Apocalypse after having a recurring role in Freak Show.[30] It was also reported that actress Ash Santos would appear in the season.[31]
In April 2018, Murphy revealed that filming for the season would begin in June 2018.[7]
American Horror Story: Apocalypse received positive reviews, with many considering it as an improvement over the recent seasons. The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave the season a 79% approval rating, with an average rating of 6.95/10, based on 8 reviews. The critical consensus reads, "Ryan Murphy and his murderers' row of witchy performers literally save the world -- and franchise -- in Apocalypse, the series' most ambitious crossover swing yet."[32] On Metacritic, the season was given a score of 63 out of 100 based on 6 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[33]
See main article: List of awards and nominations received by American Horror Story.
In its eighth season, the series has been nominated for 20 awards. Five of them were won.
| class=unsortable | Year | Association | Category | width=40% | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 10th Dorian Awards[34] | Campy TV Show of the Year | American Horror Story: Apocalypse | |||
| 23rd Art Directors Guild Awards | Television Movie or Mini-Series | Valdar Wilt | ||||
| 21st Costume Designers Guild Awards | Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television | Paula Bradley, Lou Eyrich | ||||
| 2019 Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards[35] [36] | TV Miniseries or Movie Made for TV: Best Contemporary Make-Up | Eryn Krueger Mekash, Kim Ayers, Silvina Knight | ||||
| TV Miniseries or Movie Made for TV: Best Contemporary Hair Styling | Michelle Ceglia, Helena Cepeda, Romaine Markus-Meyers | |||||
| TV Miniseries or Movie Made for TV: Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling | Michelle Ceglia, Helena Cepeda, Lydia Fantini | |||||
| TV Miniseries or Movie Made for TV: Best Special Make-Up Effects | Eryn Krueger Mekash, Mike Mekash, David Anderson | |||||
| Commercials and Music Videos: Best Make-Up | Kerry Herta, Jason Collins, Cristina Waltz | |||||
| Commercials and Music Videos: Best Hair Styling | Joe Matke, Fernando Santaella-Navarro | |||||
| 66th Golden Reel Awards[37] [38] | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Episodic Short Form – Music / Musical | David Klotz | ||||
| 21st Fangoria Chainsaw Awards | Best Series | American Horror Story: Apocalypse | ||||
| 30th GLAAD Media Awards[39] | Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series | |||||
| 45th Saturn Awards | Best Horror Television Series | |||||
| 71st Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | |||||
| Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes | Lou Eyrich, Paula Bradley, Rebecca Guzzi, Charlene Amateau | |||||
| Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series | Michelle Ceglia, Helena Cepeda, Lydia Fantani, Romaine Markus-Meyers | |||||
| Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic) | Eryn Krueger Mekash, Kim Ayers, Michael Mekash, Silvina Knight, Jamie Leigh Devilla | |||||
| Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Limited Series, Movie or Special | Eryn Krueger Mekash, Michael Mekash, Steve LaPorte, Jake Garber, Vance Hartwell, Silvina Knight, Glen Eisner, David Leroy Anderson | |||||
| 17th Gold Derby Awards | Best Drama Guest Actor | Dylan McDermott | ||||
| Best Drama Guest Actress | Jessica Lange |
| American Horror Story: Apocalypse – The Complete Eight Season | |||
| Set Details | |||
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| Release Dates | |||
| Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | |
| [40] | [41] | [42] | |