Looks Like 'AHS' Might Lose Some Actors

As with each season of American Horror Story, there's been a steady trickle of information about the upcoming season. Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett, and Emma Roberts are returning for American Horror Story: Freak Show. But what hasn't been announced is who won't be coming on next season. American Horror Story represents a new, interesting breed of television. It doesn't have a straight narrative arc, but rather reinvents itself each season, telling new stories in the same theme of horror. Yet for all its reinvention, its cast of actors usually stay more or less the same. Gabourey Sidibe, Angela Bassett, Emma Roberts are all slated to appear next season after getting their first taste of the show on last season's American Horror Story: Coven, and Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, Evan Peters, Dennis O'Hare, and Jamie Brewer are all basically American Horror Story lifers at this point (although O'Hare and Brewer skipped American Horror Story: Asylum). But some of the show's most familiar names are still missing from the cast list. What's up with that?

In advance of the new season's premiere this fall, here are five American Horror Story actors who, whether you like it or not, may not be returning for Freak Show:

Taissa Farmiga

The ethereal actress gave an incredible range of teen angst in leading roles on both American Horror Story: Murder House and Coven. But right now, it's being reported that the actress will not return for Freak Show . Currently, she seems to have a pretty hectic filming schedule. She's set to star in the movie The Final Girls, the revenge western In the Valley of Violence with John Travolta, and in an untitled Warren Beatty-helmed film about an affair Howard Hughes had with a younger woman late in his life.

Lily Rabe

The actress has mastered some of the most intense characters in every season of American Horror Story so far: the cold flapper mother Nora Montgomery on Murder House, the two-faced nun Sister Mary Eunice on Asylum, and the Stevie Nicks-worshipping witch Misty Day on Coven. But right now, she has her name on a completely different show — the new ABC sci-fi drama The Whispers.

Zachary Quinto

The actor has played some of the more devious characters in the series. He was most notably the twisted serial killer Dr. Oliver Thredson in Asylum, but he also made an appearance as the unhappy-in-love ghost Chad in Murder House. Quinto could definitely bring some devious freakiness to next season, but it seems he'll be filming The Girl Who Invented Kissing with Game of Thrones' Natalie Dormer.

Connie Britton

Okay, so the famous Tammi Taylor technically only starred in American Horror Story: Murder House. But the woman has vocally expressed her desire to get back on the show! And yes, she's technically still starring in Nashville, but c'mon Ryan Murphy, Connie Britton ate brains for you! She could certainly be a part of the Freak Show if she wanted to. That woman is a force.

Dylan McDermott

Aside from being Connie Britton's cheating, good-for-nothing husband in Murder House, McDermott was also serial killer baby Johnny Morgan in Asylum. The actor excels at playing sleazy, good-for-nothing characters, and thus would be a perfect addition to Freak Show. Unfortunately, McDermott is scheduled to star in another show: the upcoming detective series Stalker on CBS.

We'll have to wait and see what ends up happening, but it looks like there's a good chance not everyone is going to be back for another round.