| American Horror Story: |
| Delicate |
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| Episodes |
| Characters |
| Cast |
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| Production |
Delicate is the twelfth season of American Horror Story. The first block of 5 episodes (Part 1) premiered on September 20, 2023, on FX. The remaining episodes (Part 2) were delayed, as production was halted due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes; however, the second part began production in late 2023. There are five episodes in Part 1 and four episodes in Part 2.
The title and casting were officially posted on Twitter on April 10, 2023.[1]
On February 10th, it was announced on Instagram that Part 2 would premiere on April 3rd, on FX.[2]
Plot
After multiple failed attempts of IVF, actress Anna Victoria Alcott wants nothing more than to start a family. As the buzz around her recent film grows, she fears that something may be targeting her - and her pursuit of motherhood.
Cast and Characters
Main
- Emma Roberts as Anna Victoria Alcott
- Matt Czuchry as Dexter Harding Jr.
- Kim Kardashian as Siobhan Corbyn
- Annabelle Dexter-Jones as Sonia Shawcross and Adeline Harding
- Michaela Jaé Rodriguez as Nicolette Smith
- Denis O'Hare as Dr. Andrew Hill
- Cara Delevingne as Ivy Ehrenreich
- Julie White as Ms. Mavis Preecher
- Maaz Ali as Kamal Aman
Supporting or Guest
- Juliana Canfield as Talia Thompson
- Tavi Gevinson as Cora
- Zo Tipp as Theo Thompson
- Taylor Richardson as Babette Eno
- Dominic Burgess as Hamish Moss
- Ashlie Atkinson as Susan Pratt
- Ryan Spahn as Derek
- Billie Lourd as Ashley
- Leslie Grossman as Ashleigh
- Debra Monk as Virginia Harding
- Grace Gummer as Margaret Alcott
- Reed Birney as Dexter Harding, Sr.
- Zachary Quinto as Himself (uncredited)
Episodes
| Episode | # | Premiere | Writer(s) | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multiply Thy Pain | 1 | 2023-09-20 | Halley Feiffer | Jessica Yu |
| Rockabye | 2 | 2023-09-27 | Halley Feiffer | Jennifer Lynch |
| When The Bough Breaks | 3 | 2023-10-04 | Halley Feiffer | Jennifer Lynch |
| Vanishing Twin | 4 | 2023-10-11 | Halley Feiffer | John J. Gray |
| Preech | 5 | 2023-10-18 | Halley Feiffer | John J. Gray |
| Opening Night | 6 | 2024-04-03 | Halley Feiffer | Brad Buecker |
| Ave Hestia | 7 | 2024-04-10 | Halley Feiffer | Jennifer Lynch |
| Little Gold Man | 8 | 2024-04-17 | Halley Feiffer | Jennifer Lynch |
| The Auteur | 9 | 2024-04-24 | Halley Feiffer | John J. Gray |
Production
The twelfth installment was announced as part of the three seasons renewal of American Horror Story by FX on January 9, 2020, at 2020 TCA.[3]
The theme is based in part of a novel released in August 2023, titled 'Delicate Condition' by Danielle Valentine, which is described by Andrea Bartz as a "feminist update on Rosemary's Baby we all needed.".[4]
All episodes are written by Halley Feiffer, who also serves as the showrunner, making AHS: Delicate the first without Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk as showrunners and to lean on source material.
Casting
Emma Roberts was the first actor to be revealed, returning as part of main cast along with Kim Kardashian.[1] On April 6, 2023, Matt Czuchry was reported to have joined the cast. [5]
Filming
Filming for the twelfth installment was reported to start late May 2023. Despite the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike in New York City, production continued and was paused only on July 2023 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[6] [7]
Adaptation
"Delicate" is an adaptation of Delicate Condition. The plot and story beats are relatively unchanged. Some differences include:
- Many chapters in the novel are presented as scenes throughout history of expectant mothers. These do not appear in the show. One includes a backstory for Io Preecher.
- The character of Siobhan Corbyn (last name Walsh, in the novel) is an older actress who is a friend and mentor to Anna, described as a 1990's "it girl" who won an Academy Award in her early 20's. She is in failing health from cancer during much of the novel. She also has a daughter named Gracie Walsh, who does not exist in the show.
- Anna's publicist is a woman named Emily Chapman, an ambitious and desperate British woman.
- Dex Harding is a financier (not an art publicist) in the novel and is at least 10 years older.
- Adeline Jouda is Dex's former wife. She is a professor (not a chef) based in London and still alive in the novel, where she and Dex are divorced.
- Talia Donovan (named Talia Thompson in the TV Series) is Dex's business partner, married to a trans-man named Keegan (who works with Emily Chapman). She is Adeline's best friend and is undergoing IVF.
- Dr. Andrew Hill is Dr. Carla Hill in the novel.
- Ivy Ehrenreich is identical to the novel character, Meg.
- Nicolette is not a character in the novel, however she has similarities to Margaret Jones from the book, who was a witch and midwife from the 1800's.
- Sonia Shawcross is not a character in the novel.
- Ms. Mavis Preecher's name in the novel is 'Ms. Io Preecher'.
- Anna's stalker in the novel has the username "number1crush" and is an established threat to Anna prior to the main narrative. Other credible stalker candidates are discussed.
- The Andy Cohen interview in Multiply Thy Pain does not appear in the novel; a similar interview with Seth Myers is mentioned but does not occur.
- The awards ceremony depicted in Rockabye does not appear in the novel, nor do the scenes preparing for the ceremony or at Siobhan's office. The move to Talia's Hamptons House is motivated by security concerns.
- The secret chamber connected to Talia's basement (shown in When The Bough Breaks) is not depicted in the novel.
Gallery
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 AHS: Delicate - Starring Cast. Twitter.
- ↑ American Horror Story (@ahsfx) on Instagram
- ↑ Todisco, Tony (Jan 9, 2020). ‘American Horror Story ' Renewed by FX Through Season 13. People.
- ↑ Gibson, Kelsie (April 10, 2023). 'American Horror Story' Season 12: Everything to Know. People.
- ↑ Swift, Andy. Matt Czuchry Joining Horror Story After The Resident Cancellation — Report. TV Line.
- ↑ WGA Strike Shuts Down ‘Billions’ Amid Skirmishes, Cries Of “Scabs” Outside NYC Studio; Teamsters Refuse To Cross Pickets At ‘American Horror Story’ Filming. Deadline.
- ↑ Casanova, Sandy. American Horror Stories season 3 release updates, strike delay, and everything we know.. Hidden Remote.