As an anthology series, American Horror Story has always had a revolving cast, with some actors only appearing in a single season with others appearing in all or most of them. As of the end of Season 8, only two actors actually had starring roles in every batch of episodes: Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters. Now, one of those longtime stars has revealed that they won't be around for Season 9. Evan Peters is out for American Horror Story Season 9.
American Horror Story was actually renewed for Season 9 quite a while ago, and fans may have taken it for granted that Evan Peters would of course tackle another oddball role (or two or three) in the new season. He revealed the news that he won't be in Season 9 to an Extra producer at WonderCon. Take a look!
Yes, Evan Peters is apparently going to "sit a season out," so fans who were counting on Peters in Season 9 will want to prepare themselves for something brand new. As much as American Horror Story has reinvented itself each season, Peters has been one of the constants. Who knows what the show will look like without him?
The good news for fans is that Evan Peters doesn't sound like he's planning on quitting American Horror Story altogether. He said that he's going to sit a season out, which could mean that he'll be back as soon as Season 10. AHS did already score a renewal for the tenth season, and there are even rumblings about what it will follow. Even folks who watch AHS primarily for Peters may not have too hard of a time sticking it out through one season without him.
There are still a lot of questions about the cast for Season 9. As of the time of writing, Emma Roberts is the only main cast member confirmed to be on board for the next season. If Sarah Paulson doesn't return, Season 9 of American Horror Story could feel unnerving for more reasons than killer clowns or terrifying witches.
Evan Peters didn't reveal why he's sitting a season of AHS out. Perhaps he simply needs a break. American Horror Story has been incredibly intense the past couple of seasons, and he even played a bunch of different cult leaders in Season 7. Playing people ranging from Andy Warhol to Charles Manson could take a toll on anybody, not to mention all the weirdness that was American Horror Story: Apocalypse! Last summer, Peters explained how all of the sinister story material impacts him to GQ, saying this:
It's just exhausting. It's really mentally draining, and you don't want to go to those places ever in your life. And so you have to go there for the scenes, and it ends up integrating it somehow into your life. You're in traffic and you find yourself screaming and you're like, What the hell? This isn't who I am. I fight really hard to combat that and make sure that I'm watching comedies and hanging out with my fiancée [actress Emma Roberts] and chilling with friends and watching movies.
Hopefully taking a break for Season 9 will help him recharge his batteries, if that's what he needs. Only time will tell if he does return for Season 10 and what American Horror Story Season 9 will look like without him. AHS tends to keep a tight lid on secrets for as long as possible, so we may be waiting a while before we find out more.
Fortunately, there are plenty of TV options now and in the not-too-distant future, and you can always watch (or re-watch) previous seasons of American Horror Story starring Evan Peters streaming on Hulu and Netflix.
