Kim Kardashian joins the Ryan Murphy Repertory Company.
The reality star, entrepreneur, podcaster, and pop culture icon just signed on to star in the upcoming 12th season of FX’s American horror story, in a role specially written with her in mind. She joins in returning AHS alum and serial Murphy collaborator Emma Roberts in the outing – which, in a first for the show, will be written and performed by a single writer, Halley Feiffer.
“Kim is one of the biggest and brightest television stars in the world and we are thrilled to welcome her to the AHS family,” said AHS co-creator Murphy in a statement THR. “Emma and I are excited about working with this true force in the culture. Halley Feiffer has written a fun, stylish, and ultimately terrifying role especially for Kim, and this season is ambitious and unlike anything we’ve ever done.
Murphy and Kardashian are friends, and the prolific TV producer and filmmaker is said to have been impressed by her well-received 2021 performance on Saturday Night Live. They started talking about creating a unique role for her scripted TV debut last summer. Details about Kardashian and Roberts’ roles are being kept under wraps, though writing was on the wall about Kardashian’s involvement this morning in a cryptic Instagram post of her account – the eighth most followed in the world.
Unlike previous iterations of AHShowever, at least something is going on. For the first time in the anthology’s history, it relies on source material. The season is titled Delicate and is based, at least in part, on Danielle Valentine’s upcoming novel Sensitive state. The novel, which came out in August from Sourcebooks Landmark, is described as a gripping thriller about a woman who becomes convinced that a sinister figure is doing everything she can to make sure her pregnancy never happens. A cover text by author Andrea Bartz describes Sensitive state as “the feminist update to Rosemary’s baby that we all needed.”
While Kardashian has performed before, this will be her most high-profile effort to date. And A-list stunt casting isn’t exactly out of the question AHS wheelhouse. The series has been a big-name revolving door ever since she tapped Jessica Lange, Lady Gaga’s famed casting, whose acting credits were then only her own extensive music videos, in season five — paving the way for her successful film career.
The move also sees Kardashian redouble her relationship with Disney, where she and her family launched a reality show The Kardashians at Hulu just a year ago. The streamer is also the de facto digital home of fellow Disney-owned FX’s programming slate.
Roberts, part of AHSrotating cast since entering in 2013 Covenalso appeared in the freak show, Sect, Apocalypse And 1984 submissions. She returns to the franchise after a four-year hiatus. Feiffer takes over show-running duties after previously writing Dear Edward, Roar, Just kidding and Murphy series Accusation: American crime story.
The new season of AHS, executive produced by Murphy, co-creator Brad Falchuk, Feiffer, Alexis Martin Woodall and Scott Robertson, is slated to begin shooting in New York City later in April. A summer premiere is expected, with Murphy and FX expected to announce an exact date in June.
American horror story is one of the longest-running and successful properties in Ryan Murphy Productions’ sizable TV portfolio, receiving more than 100 Emmy nominations and 13 wins to date.
