| Bgcolour: |
|
| Showrunner: | Ryan Murphy |
| Num Episodes: | 13 |
| Network: | FX |
| Prev Season: | Coven |
| Next Season: | Hotel |
| Episode List: | List of American Horror Story episodes |
The fourth season of the American horror anthology television series American Horror Story, subtitled Freak Show, is set in 1952 Jupiter, Florida, telling the story of one of the last remaining freak shows in the United States and their struggle for survival. The ensemble cast includes Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Michael Chiklis, Frances Conroy, Emma Roberts, Denis O'Hare, Finn Wittrock, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates and Jessica Lange, with all returning from previous seasons, except newcomers Chiklis and Wittrock. The season marks the first not to be strictly anthological, with Lily Rabe, Naomi Grossman, and James Cromwell reprising their roles from the series' second cycle, Asylum.
Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for cable network FX, the series is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. Freak Show was broadcast between October 8, 2014, to January 21, 2015, consisting of 13 episodes. Like its predecessors, the season was met with positive reviews and consistently strong ratings. The premiere episode attracted a series high of 6.13 million viewers, making it the most viewed episode of the series. It ultimately became FX's most-watched program ever, surpassing its previous installment, Coven.[1] The season garnered a total of twenty Emmy Award nominations, the most for any season of American Horror Story to date, including nominations for Outstanding Limited Series, and six acting nominations for Lange, O'Hare, Wittrock, Paulson, Bassett, and Bates. In addition, Paulson won for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie or Limited Series at the 5th Critics' Choice Television Awards.
See main article: List of American Horror Story cast members.
See also: List of American Horror Story episodes.
In November 2013, FX announced that the show had been renewed for a fourth season.[2] Series co-creator Ryan Murphy hinted that clues about the fourth season would be hidden in the final episodes of the third season. In March 2014, the season was revealed to be set at a carnival, according to co-executive producer/writer Douglas Petrie. It was also revealed that Lange would be playing a role similar to Marlene Dietrich.[3] Murphy revealed that the season would take place in 1950, adding: "If you look historically what happened in the year 1950, there's some more clues in that year. It's a period piece. We try and do the opposite of what we've done before. Jessica Lange has already started practicing her German accent, so I'm very excited!"[4] Murphy indicated that this season drew inspiration from Tod Browning's Freaks and Herk Harvey's Carnival of Souls. This season featured the largest set ever constructed for American Horror Story, with Murphy stating: "We had to build an entire city. We built an entire huge compound, and then we had to build the interior of all those buildings on set. It's all, period. And it's all based on [production designer] Mark Worthington's immaculate research."[5]
Ryan Murphy confirmed that Jessica Lange would be returning for a fourth season,[6] although said to be in a reduced capacity.[7] She portrayed Elsa Mars, the owner of the freak show. In November 2013, Murphy said he approached Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett to return.[8] Bassett later confirmed in an interview with Access Hollywood that she would be indeed coming back.[9] They portrayed Ethel Darling and Desiree Dupree, respectively. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sarah Paulson revealed she would be returning, possibly for a main role,[10] which was later revealed to be the conjoined twins Bette and Dot Tattler. It was announced at the PaleyFest 2014 that the cast members present at the panel would all be returning for the fourth season in some capacity, including Denis O'Hare (Stanley), Emma Roberts (Maggie Esmerelda), Frances Conroy (Gloria Mott), Evan Peters (Jimmy Darling), and Gabourey Sidibe (Regina Ross).[11] Jamie Brewer was also added to the present roster, although Murphy later indicated Brewer may not appear during the season.[12] She was later confirmed to portray the ventriloquist dummy Marjorie after appearing in a promo for the final episodes.[13] Additionally, Michael Chiklis was announced to play the father of Peters' character and ex-husband of Bates' character, the strongman Dell Toledo. Finn Wittrock was the last lead actor joining the cast.[14] He portrayed the psychopathic Dandy Mott.
In July 2014, TVLine reported that Wes Bentley would appear in the season' two-part Halloween episode as Edward Mordrake.[15] At the Comic-Con 2014, it was announced that John Carroll Lynch would portray one of the central antagonists during the season, Twisty the Clown.[16] In August 2014, R&B singer Patti LaBelle joined the cast for a four-episode story arc as the mother of Sidibe's character, named Dora, the Motts' housekeeper.[17] Also in August 2014, it was revealed that Matt Bomer would be guest-starring in one episode as Andy, Dell's secret lover.[18] Murphy took to his Twitter account to announce that the world's smallest woman Jyoti Amge has joined the cast as Ma Petite.[19] Murphy had written a role specifically for Coven alum Leslie Jordan, but he did not appear on the show due to scheduling conflicts.[20]
In September 2014, it was reported that Asylum alum Naomi Grossman would return to portray Pepper, which marked the first time a character appeared in multiple seasons of the series.[21] Lily Rabe also reprised her Asylum character Sister Mary Eunice McKee in the tenth episode, "Orphans".[22] Mare Winningham made an appearance in the same episode, as Pepper's sister Rita. Neil Patrick Harris guest starred in two episodes as Chester, who takes over the freak show when Elsa leaves for Hollywood. Harris' husband, David Burtka, appeared in the season finale as Elsa's husband.[23]
At Paley Center for Media's 2014 PaleyFest event, Ryan Murphy announced that the season's filming would take place again in New Orleans, Louisiana, although the show's setting is in Jupiter, Florida.[24] The premiere episode was directed by co-creator Murphy, his first effort since the pilot.[25] Principal photography for the season began on July 15, 2014.[26] Production on the season concluded on December 19, 2014.[27]
A video released in July 2014, entitled "Fallen Angel", was reported by many news sources to be an official Freak Show trailer. The video – which featured the American Horror Story title card – was later taken down after FX confirmed it was fan-made. Before the debut of the fan-made video, FX had not released any official trailers concerning the upcoming season.[28] The first official teaser was released on August 20, 2014, entitled "Admit One".[29]
As with previous seasons, FX released a series of teaser trailers on the show's YouTube page. FX also used the marketing hashtag #WirSindAlleFreaks in the German language, and its English translation #WeAreAllFreaks.[30]
American Horror Story: Freak Show has received mostly positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, it scored a 69 out of 100 based on 19 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[31] The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 77% approval rating with an average rating of 7.29/10 based on 35 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "Though it may turn off new viewers unaccustomed to its unabashed weirdness, Freak Show still brings the thrills, thanks to its reliably stylish presentation and game cast."[32]
See main article: List of awards and nominations received by American Horror Story. In its fourth season, the series was nominated for 76 awards, 21 of which were won.
| class=unsortable | Year | Association | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 46th NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a TV Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Angela Bassett | ||
| Outstanding TV Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | American Horror Story: Freak Show | ||||
| 72nd Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress – Miniseries or TV Film | Jessica Lange | |||
| Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or TV Film | Kathy Bates | ||||
| 19th Satellite Awards | Best TV Series – Genre | American Horror Story: Freak Show | |||
| Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or TV Film | Sarah Paulson | ||||
| 41st People's Choice Awards | Favorite Cable Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show | American Horror Story: Freak Show | |||
| Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress | Jessica Lange | ||||
| 26th PGA Awards | Outstanding Producer of Long-Form TV | ||||
| 19th ADG Awards | TV movie or Mini-Series | Mark Worthington | |||
| 17th CDG Awards[33] | Outstanding Made for TV Movie or Mini-Series | Lou Eyrich | |||
| Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards 2015[34] | Mini-Series or TV Movie Period and/or Character Make-up | Eryn Krueger Mekash, Kim Ayers | |||
| Mini-Series or TV Movie Period Special Make-up Effects | Eryn Krueger Mekash, Michael Mekash, Christopher Nelson | ||||
| Mini-Series or TV Movie Period and/or Character Hair Styling | Monte C. Haught, Michelle Ceglia | ||||
| 13th VES Awards | Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Photoreal/Live Action Broadcast Program | Jason Piccioni, Jason Spratt, Mike Kirylo, Justin Bal, Eric Roberts | |||
| Outstanding Compositing in a Photoreal/Live Action Broadcast Program | Tommy Tran, JV Pike, Rob Lutz, Matt Lefferts | ||||
| 62nd MPSE Golden Reel Awards[35] | TV Short Form Music Score | Episode: "Monsters Among Us" | |||
| 51st CAS Awards[36] | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing – TV Movie or Mini-Series | Bruce Litecky, CAS Joe Earle, CAS Doug Andham, CAS Evan Daum Kyle Billingsley | |||
| 6th Dorian Awards[37] | TV Musical Performance of the Year | Jessica Lange | |||
| Campy TV Show of the Year | American Horror Story: Freak Show | ||||
| Fangoria Chainsaw Awards 2015[38] | Best TV Series | ||||
| Best TV Actress | Sarah Paulson | ||||
| Best TV Supporting Actor | Finn Wittrock | ||||
| 41st Saturn Awards | Best Actress on TV | Jessica Lange | |||
| Best Guest Starring Role on TV | Neil Patrick Harris | ||||
| Best Syndicated/Cable TV Series | American Horror Story: Freak Show | ||||
| Glamour Awards 2014[39] | International TV Actress | Jessica Lange | |||
| 36th Young Artist Awards[40] | Best Performance in a TV Series - Guest Starring Young Actor 15-21 | Dalton E. Gray | |||
| SXSW Film Design Awards 2015[41] | Excellence in Title Design | American Horror Story: Freak Show | |||
| 5th Critics' Choice TV Awards | Most Bingeworthy Show | ||||
| Best Actress in a Movie or Limited Series | Jessica Lange | ||||
| Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or Limited Series | Finn Wittrock | ||||
| Best Supporting Actress in a Movie or Limited Series | Sarah Paulson | ||||
| BMI Film & TV Awards 2015[42] | BMI Cable TV Music Awards | Mac Quayle | |||
| Charlie Clouser | |||||
| César Dávila-Irizarry | |||||
| 67th Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Limited/Anthology Series | American Horror Story: Freak Show | |||
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series or Movie | Jessica Lange | ||||
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited/ Anthology Series or Movie | Denis O'Hare | ||||
| Finn Wittrock | |||||
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series or Movie | Sarah Paulson | ||||
| Angela Bassett | |||||
| Kathy Bates | |||||
| Outstanding Directing for a Limited/Anthology Series or Movie | Ryan Murphy | ||||
| 67th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Hairstyling for a Limited Series or Movie | Monte C. Haught, Michelle Ceglia, Daina Daigle, Amy Wood, Sherri B. Hamilton | |||
| Outstanding Main Title Design | Ryan Murphy, Kyle Cooper, Lee Nelson, Nadia Tzuo | ||||
| Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role | Jason Piccioni, Justin Ball, Jason Spratt, Tim Jacobsen, David Altenau, Tommy Tran, Mike Kirylo, Matt Lefferts, Donnie Dean | ||||
| Outstanding Costumes for a Period/Fantasy Series, Limited Series, or Movie | Lou Eyrich, Elizabeth Macey, Ken van Duyne | ||||
| Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited Series or Movie | Bruce Litecky, Joe Earle, Doug Andham, Evan Daum | ||||
| Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series or Movie | Michael Goi | ||||
| Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special | Gary Megregian, Timothy A. Cleveland, Paul Diller, Steve M. Stuhr, Lance Wiseman, Jason Krane, John Green, David Klotz, Noel Vought | ||||
| Outstanding Casting for a Limited Series, Movie or Special | Robert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson, Meagan Lewis | ||||
| Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Limited Series, Movie, or Special | Eryn Krueger Mekash, Michael Mekash, David L. Anderson, Justin Raleigh, Christopher Nelson, Kim Ayers, Luis Garcia, James MacKinnon | ||||
| Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series, Movie Or Special (Original Dramatic Score) | Mac Quayle | ||||
| Outstanding Make-up for a Limited Series or Movie (Non-prosthetic) | Eryn Krueger Mekash, Kim Ayers, Lucy O'Reilly, Michael Mekash, Christopher Nelson, Jillian Erickson | ||||
| Outstanding Short-Format Nonfiction Program | "American Horror Story: Extra-Ordinary Artists" | ||||
| 19th Online Film & TV Association Awards[43] | Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Jessica Lange | |||
| Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Michael Chiklis | ||||
| Denis O'Hare | |||||
| Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Angela Bassett | ||||
| Kathy Bates | |||||
| Frances Conroy | |||||
| Sarah Paulson | |||||
| Best Miniseries | American Horror Story: Freak Show | ||||
| Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | |||||
| Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries | |||||
| Best Writing of a Motion Picture or Miniseries | |||||
| Best Music in a Non-Series | |||||
| Best Editing in a Non-Series | |||||
| Best Cinematography in a Non-Series | |||||
| Best Costume Design in a Non-Series | |||||
| Best Makeup/Hairstyling in a Non-Series | |||||
| Best Sound in a Non-Series | |||||
| Best Visual Effects in a Non-Series | |||||
| Best New Titles Sequence | |||||
| 2016 | 31st Artios Awards[44] | TV movie or Mini-Series | Robert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson, Carol Kritzer, Meagan Lewis, Becky Silverman |
| American Horror Story: Freak Show – The Complete Fourth Season | ||||
| Set Details | Special Features | |||
|
| |||
| Release Dates | ||||
| Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | ||
| [45] | [46] | [47] | ||
Every cover song performed in Freak Show was released by 20th Century Fox TV Records in online music stores following the broadcast of the episode in which it appeared, except the cover of David Bowie's "Heroes", performed by Jessica Lange in "Curtain Call."
| Song | Original artist | Covered by | Performed in | Release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Life on Mars?" | David Bowie | Jessica Lange | "Monsters Among Us" "Pink Cupcakes" "Curtain Call" | October 9, 2014[48] | |
| "Criminal" | Fiona Apple | Sarah Paulson | "Massacres and Matinees" | October 15, 2014[49] | |
| "Gods and Monsters" | Lana Del Rey | Jessica Lange | "Edward Mordrake (Part 1)" | October 22, 2014[50] | |
| "September Song" | Walter Huston | "Bullseye" | November 12, 2014[51] | ||
| "Come as You Are" | Nirvana | Evan Peters | "Test of Strength" | November 19, 2014[52] |