American Horror Story: Apocalypse
American Horror Story: Apocalypse is the eighth season of the FX horror anthology television series "American Horror Story", created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. It premiered on September 12, 2018, and concluded on November 14, 2018. The season has been described as a crossover between the and seasons of the series. "Apocalypse" was announced on January 12, 2017. Returning cast members from previous seasons include Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Adina Porter, Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, Emma Roberts, Cheyenne Jackson, Kathy Bates, Billy Eichner, Erika Ervin, Frances Conroy, Taissa Farmiga, Gabourey Sidibe, Lily Rabe, Stevie Nicks , Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton, Jessica Lange, Naomi Grossman, Jamie Brewer, and Angela Bassett, along with new cast member Cody Fern. "Apocalypse" received positive reviews from critics, with many considering it an improvement over the recent seasons. On April 9, 2019, for the first time in the series' history, it was announced by the Television Academy that "Apocalypse" would not qualify for the Limited Series categories, and instead be moved to Drama. "Apocalypse" would go on to receive five Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Jessica Lange. Episodes. <onlyinclude></onlyinclude> Production. Development. On January 12 , 2017, the series was renewed for an eighth season, which premiered on September 12, 2018. In October 2016, series co-creator Ryan Murphy announced a "crossover" season between previous cycles "" and "". In January 2018, he stated that the ninth season would most likely feature the crossover; however, in June 2018, he announced that the eighth season was chosen instead. Murphy has also stated that the eighth season would be set 18 months in the future and would feature an "" and "Coven" tone. In July 2018, it was announced at the San Diego Comic-Con that the title of the season  would be "Apocalypse". In April 2018, it was revealed that series veteran Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters would make their directorial debut in an episode. It was later revealed that Paulson would direct the sixth episode. Peters, in the end, did not direct an episode. As with previous seasons, several teasers were released. On September 4, 2018, a short trailer was released, followed by a longer trailer the next day. Casting. In October 2017, it was announced that series mainstay Sarah Paulson would return for the season. In March 2018, it was announced that Kathy Bates and Evan Peters would  also return, leading the season with Paulson. In April 2018, Joan Collins joined the cast as the grandmother of Peters' character. In April and May 2018, "" actors Adina Porter, Cheyenne Jackson, Billy Eichner, Leslie Grossman, and Billie Lourd were also confirmed to return. In June 2018, Emma Roberts revealed that she would return for "Apocalypse", reprising her role as Madison Montgomery from "Coven". That same month, Murphy revealed that other witches from "Coven" had all been invited to return, and also stated that he had asked Anjelica Huston to join the cast, while Paulson confirmed that she would reprise her  Coven role, Cordelia Goode. In July 2018, it was reported that Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman and Kyle Allen would guest star in the season. Later that month, Murphy revealed via Twitter that "American Crime Story" actor Cody Fern joined the cast as a grown-up Michael Langdon, the Antichrist born during the events of "Murder House". In August 2018, "Pose" actor Billy Porter announced via Instagram that he would appear in the season. Later, during the Television Critics Association press tour, it was announced that Jessica Lange would appear in the season's sixth episode as her "Murder House" character, Constance  Langdon. After FX released the season's first teaser, actress Lesley Fera revealed via Twitter that she would appear in the season premiere. Later, Ryan Murphy confirmed via Twitter that Taissa Farmiga, Gabourey Sidibe, Lily Rabe, Frances Conroy, and Stevie Nicks would all appear during the season, and that they would all reprise the roles they played in "Coven". In the same month, Angela Bassett, who appeared in four previous seasons, confirmed that she would not appear in the season; however, Bassett appeared in the last episode of the season, playing Marie Laveau, the role she played in "Coven". Later , Finn Wittrock, who appeared in three past seasons, confirmed that he would not appear in "Apocalypse". The same day, it was announced that original cast members Connie Britton and Dylan McDermott would be returning for the season,<ref name="Britton/McDermott"></ref> and Ryan Murphy later confirmed that they would reprise their "Murder House" roles, Vivien and Ben Harmon, respectively. Later, Murphy revealed that Evan Peters and Taissa Farmiga would be reprising their "Murder House" roles, Tate Langdon and Violet Harmon, respectively. In September 2018, it was revealed that Erika Ervin would be returning for "Apocalypse" after having a recurring role in  . It was also reported that actress Ash Santos would appear in the season. Filming. In April 2018, Murphy revealed that filming for the season would begin in June 2018. Reception. Critical response. "American Horror Story: Apocalypse" received positive reviews, with many considering it as an improvement over the recent seasons. The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave the season a 79% approval rating, with an average rating of 6.95/10, based on 8 reviews. The critical consensus reads, "Ryan Murphy and his murderers' row of witchy performers literally save the world -- and franchise -- in "Apocalypse", the series' most ambitious crossover swing yet ." On Metacritic, the season was given a score of 63 out of 100 based on 6 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Awards and nominations. In its eighth season, the series has been nominated for 20 awards. Five of them were won.