American Story

American Story
Company type	Franchise
Industry	Television
Founded	October 5, 2011; 15 years ago
Founder	Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk
Headquarters	United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Dante Di Loreto (executive producer)
Products	Television anthology series (American Horror Story, American Crime Story, American Horror Stories, American Sports Story, Love Story)
Parent	FX Networks

American Story is an American anthology franchise created by producers Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for the cable network FX as well as FX on Hulu. Each installment delves into a unique genre, with every season designed as an independent miniseries that introduces fresh characters, settings, and narratives, frequently drawing loose inspiration from real-life events. Numerous performers reappear throughout various seasons and series portraying different roles.

Prominent recurring cast members feature Sarah Paulson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Connie Britton, Darren Criss, Finn Wittrock, Jon Jon Briones, Billy Eichner, Matt Bomer (who has also directed an episode), Kaia Gerber, Naomi Grossman, among others. Actors such as Cody Fern and Max Greenfield have participated in three separate installments.

This franchise has received extensive critical praise along with several Emmy Awards.

Background

Before developing their Fox show Glee, Murphy and Falchuk created American Horror Story. Seeking a darker, more provocative project following Nip/Tuck and Glee, Murphy was attracted to the horror genre. Falchuk’s goal was to evoke discomfort in viewers through the show's atmosphere.

In February 2011, FX commissioned a pilot episode penned by Murphy and Falchuk, with Murphy directing and Dante Di Loreto serving as executive producer. Production commenced in April 2011, and by July 2011, FX had officially ordered the series.

From the beginning, the plan was for each season to be a self-contained story featuring new characters and settings. After the first season, Murphy confirmed that while some actors would return, they would portray different characters in the second season. FX CEO John Landgraf lauded this approach as innovative and trendsetting.

On October 7, 2014, FX greenlit a 10-episode companion series called American Crime Story, developed by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. Unlike the horror themes of American Horror Story, this spin-off focuses each season on a separate true crime case.

On May 11, 2020, Murphy revealed plans for a spin-off titled American Horror Stories, which would consist of standalone episodes instead of season-long story arcs and air on FX.

On August 13, 2021, FX ordered two further spin-offs: American Sports Story, which centers on former NFL player Aaron Hernandez based on the podcast Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc., and Love Story, chronicling the romance and marriage of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.

Television series

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American Horror Story (2011–present)

In February 2011, FX commissioned a pilot developed by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, with both serving as writers and Murphy directing. Dante Di Loreto was named executive producer. Production commenced in April 2011, and by July of the same year, FX officially greenlit the series.

Every installment of American Horror Story delves into a unique horror concept. The show debuted on October 5, 2011, on FX in the United States, with international releases through Fox Networks Group. The inaugural season, titled Murder House, is set in Los Angeles during 2011. Following seasons include Asylum (Massachusetts, 1964), Coven (New Orleans, 2013), Freak Show (Jupiter, Florida, 1952), Hotel (Los Angeles, 2015), Roanoke (North Carolina, 2014–2016), Cult (Brookfield Heights, Michigan, 2016–2017), Apocalypse (a crossover of Coven and Murder House narratives), 1984 (1980s Los Angeles), Double Feature (2021 Provincetown and a lethal camping trip conspiracy), NYC (1980s New York City spotlighting murders involving gay men and a novel virus), and the twelfth season, Delicate, which centers on an actress in New York City confronting challenges to her aspiration of becoming pregnant.

In January 2020, FX extended the series order by three seasons beyond the tenth installment, including the eleventh season, guaranteeing at least thirteen seasons in total.

American Crime Story (2016–2021)

FX announced a 10-episode companion series titled American Crime Story in October 2014, developed by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. Unlike the thematic horror shifts of American Horror Story, this anthology focuses on distinct true crime events each season. The show features prominent actors such as Sarah Paulson, Connie Britton, Cuba Gooding Jr., Darren Criss, among others.

The first season, The People v. O. J. Simpson, premiered in February 2016. The second season titled The Assassination of Gianni Versace aired in January 2018. The third season, called Impeachment, debuted in September 2021. As of August 2021, a fourth season chronicling the rise and downfall of Studio 54 owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager was under development; however, by September 2024 executive producer Brad Simpson confirmed that no production progress had been made on this installment.

American Horror Stories (2021–present)

On May 11, 2020, Ryan Murphy revealed plans for a spin-off series titled American Horror Stories, which differs from its predecessor by presenting standalone anthology episodes instead of season-long story arcs typical of American Horror Story. On June 22, 2020, it was announced that this series would be available via streaming on FX on Hulu. The premiere took place on July 15, 2021, featuring a seven-episode inaugural season. The show was renewed for a second season on August 13, 2021,^[1] which premiered on July 21, 2022 with eight episodes.

The initial two episodes included performances by Matt Bomer, Gavin Creel, Sierra McCormick, Paris Jackson, Belissa Escobedo, Merrin Dungey, Selena Sloan, Valerie Loo, Ashley Martin Carter, Kaia Gerber, Aaron Tveit, and Celia Finkelstein.^[2] Returning actors from the original series such as Naomi Grossman, John Carroll Lynch, Charles Melton, Billie Lourd, Chad James Buchanan, Cody Fern, Dylan McDermott, Jamie Brewer were joined by newcomers like Rhenzy Feliz and Madison Bailey.^[3]

For the second season's cast returnees included Nico Greetham and Cody Fern. The ensemble expanded to feature Denis O'Hare, Matt Lasky, Gabourey Sidibe, Max Greenfield, Seth Gabel, Rebecca Dayan, Teddy Sears alongside new additions such as Kristine Froseth, Bella Thorne, Alicia Silverstone, Addison Timlin, Dominique Jackson and Quvenzhané Wallis.^[4]^[5]

American Sports Story (2024–present)

On August 13, 2021, FX commissioned the limited series titled American Sports Story. The debut season adapts the podcast Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc. produced by The Boston Globe and Wondery, detailing the ascent and downfall of former NFL athlete Aaron Hernandez. Filming commenced in April 2023 in Jersey City, New Jersey but was halted in July due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The series officially premiered on September 17, 2024.

Love Story

FX revealed a spin-off series named American Love Story on August 13, 2021. The first season explores the romance and marriage of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Casting news in 2025 announced Sarah Pidgeon portraying Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Naomi Watts as Jackie Kennedy, and Paul Kelly as JFK Jr. Additional cast members include Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy, Sydney Lemmon as Lauren Bessette, and Alessandro Nivola playing Calvin Klein. In June 2025, Ryan Murphy shared early images and confirmed further casting additions such as Leila George, Noah Fearnley, and Omari K. Chancellor. Renamed Love Story, the series is set to debut in February 2026.

Promotion

To support American Horror Story, FX implemented a "House Call" initiative that enabled fans to encounter a character from the series firsthand. Prior to the premiere, FX released ten hints via the show’s official YouTube channel and launched an interactive website in September 2011 allowing users to explore the Murder House through different eras to discover clues.

In August 2012, the first promotional video for season two was posted on the American Horror Story Facebook page, depicting a nun carrying buckets filled with body parts. This was followed by over twenty teasers and four exclusive images featured on EW.com. Two televised promos titled "Meet the Residents" introduced asylum patients and staff accompanied by a mashup of "Que Sera, Sera" with the show’s theme music.

For Cult, a fan contest offered an opportunity for a walk-on role along with lunch with Evan Peters in exchange for donations to Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Universal's Halloween Horror Nights

On August 16, 2016, FX announced an agreement to create an American Horror Story maze for Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando as part of their Halloween Horror Nights events. The maze incorporated elements from Murder House, Freak Show, and Hotel. According to Universal Parks & Resorts, this experience took visitors through twisted scenes filled with malevolent spirits, biological anomalies, and the haunted Hotel Cortez. The following year, Universal Orlando featured mazes based on Asylum, Coven, and Roanoke, while Universal Studios Hollywood presented a maze solely themed on Roanoke.

In December 2017, The Walt Disney Company announced its acquisition of 21st Century Fox, including its film and television divisions such as 20th Century Fox. The transaction was completed on March 20, 2019, bringing 20th Century Fox under the umbrella of The Walt Disney Studios. Given the competitive relationship between Disney and Universal in the theme park sector—especially within Central Florida—this acquisition likely marked the end of the franchise's involvement in Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.

The Night Bites Bakery

On July 14, 2021, a pop-up bakery inspired by American Horror Story debuted in New York City's Meatpacking District to promote both the tenth season and the spin-off series American Horror Stories. Visitors aged 18 and older could reserve 30-minute time slots to enjoy themed confections and distinctive character-inspired designs. Orders were handed out through a concealed window by the Rubber Woman character from the premiere episode. Following its New York run, the bakery was set up in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, from August 4 to 14, 2021, and later appeared at Pat's Happy Park in Provincetown, Massachusetts—one of the filming locations for season ten—between September 1 and 4, 2021.

External links

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