It's hard to imagine a TV series as scary as The Walking Dead. The legendary horror series has been thrilling, gripping, and stunning audiences for almost 16 years. Even though it ended four years ago, we can still refer to it in the present tense as it has remained a huge phenomenon on streaming, introducing itself to a whole new audience over the years since, as well as the fact that the TWD Universe lives on via multiple spinoffs.
All that being said, horror is a pretty big umbrella and we have seen a multitude of horror shows crop up over the past two decades - across both streaming and cable / broadcast television. In fact, The Walking Dead's biggest counterpart in the horror landscape on cable throughout the 2010s was a particularly terrifying show in and of its own - with many considering it even more gruesome than TWD. Now, it's return to return this year with a pretty game-changing season.
American Horror Story turns back the clock with season 13 this fall
American Horror Story is set to make a triumphant return to screens this September, as its long-awaited, highly-anticipated thirteenth season will premiere on FX. It's already being called one of the big TV events of the year, with anticipation at an all-time high - and certainly higher than some of the show's more recent seasons - because of its all-star cast, which features some of the biggest stars in the the horror series' history. Yes, even Jessica Lange.
Originally premiering on FX back in 2011, the Ryan Murphy show was one of the biggest horror TV shows of the 2010s, with many often comparing it to The Walking Dead over the years. This, of course, often prompted debate among fans as to which one was generally scarier. While there were many who preferred the straightforward zombie horror that TWD provided, AHS has gone down in history for its outlandish, off-the-wall, and entirely unpredictable storylines - which would range from supernatural horror to some of the most gruesome sights ever to make their presence felt on a small screen. It often made sitting through American Horror Story a weekly uncomfortable experience - an experience that The Walking Dead tended to replicate in its bigger, high-stakes episodes.
One season in particularly that really stood out for fans of the show was American Horror Story: Coven - the third season - which aired during the same time as The Walking Dead's fourth season. Both shows were at their peaks during that period, with horror fans often tuning into both. Coven saw Jessica Lange portray Supreme witch Fiona Goode, who was aiming to re-establish order within the core coven and find her successor as the Supreme. It dealt with a lot of supernatural elements through - heck, one episode even featured zombies!
Although the show continued to run on a somewhat annual basis, interest waned over the years - particularly as the major stars and Hollywood icons left it. Many argued that it was never the same after Lange left (after season 4), while others felt like the Lady Gaga seasons (5 and 6) deserve more love. Fans haven't been particularly fond of the recent, more sporadic seasons, with the record low ratings highlighting overall reception to it. And that's why season 13 is so highly-anticipated - because after a lengthy three-year hiatus, the show is returning with almost all of its most beloved stars.
Jessica Lange has returned as Constance Langdon, leading an all-star cast which also features Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe, Billie Lourd, Ariana Grande, Leslie Grossman, John Carroll Lynch, Madelaine Petsch, and so many more. It's undoubtedly going to be a big one - with many wondering whether it might be the final season of the show - so you can rest assured that anticipation is high.
It's really quite ironic that, after all these years, both The Walking Dead and American Horror Story have stood the test of time. Both have weathered storms of lacklustre seasons and even potential finality itself, but they have come out the other end. AHS is returning to its larger-than-life star-studded roots while the TWD Universe carries on via the spinoffs Dead City and Daryl Dixon.
Ironically, when American Horror Story season 13 does arrive on FX in September, it will likely end up airing opposite at least one of the TWD Universe spinoffs as both are set to air new seasons this year. Dead City season 3 is expected to wrap in September itself while Daryl Dixon will likely premiere in early October. And just like that, it feels like the 2010s all over again.
American Horror Story season 13 premieres on FX in September. The Walking Dead: Dead City season 3 premieres on AMC and AMC+ on July 26 while The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 4 is expected to air after it in the fall.
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