'American Horror Story' Round-up: 'Coven' casting and award nominations for 'Asylum'

We've now reached a pivotal point in the American Horror Story:Coven news stream. Quite a few names are out as members of the cast, but we still don't know a thing about most of their roles. That type of information will usually come later in the summer if Ryan Murphy and co. follow last year's model. But here's what we do know so far.

Image Credit: E!Online

The cast as is it currently sits in all public record consists of: returning cast members Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Lily Rabe, Taissa Farmiga, and Evan Peters. The newbies are Kathy Bates, Angela Basset, Patti LuPone, Gabourey Sidibe, and today TVLine announced that Emma Roberts has been mentioned as nearing a deal for season three of the hit FX series.

Character details are few and far between, but we do know that Kathy Bates is the latest opponent of whomever Jessica Lange is playing. The face-offs between those two will be worth waiting for I'm sure. We also know that Sarah Paulson is apparently playing a much more sinister character this time out which is a huge relief after seeing what her Lana Winters went through last season--though she did wind up the heroine of Asylum. This is something that American Horror Story has been missing, a true female baddie. Sure, you could say that Constance Langdon fit that bill back in season one but I'm talking about someone with power who uses it and enjoys it. No sappy tragic back-stories--let's just have a kickass evil female character this year that likes causing hell.

Image Credit: TV Guide

This is purely speculation on my part, but the young lovers storyline seems like a rather good fit for Emma Roberts to be part of. Although it would be pairing her with her real-life boyfriend Evan Peters. Pretty sure the internet isn't going to like that since hopes are high for a reunion between Peters and his S1 love interest played by Taissa Farmiga who is returning this season after not appearing in Asylum. If this is the case, Ryan Murphy's Twitter Q&A sessions are about to get very...passionate let's say. Hopefully, we'll get some more details to work with in aiding our speculation about the season soon.



In other AHS news, according to TVLine the series has been nominated for several Critic's Choice Television Awards.

BEST MOVIE OR MINISERIES
American Horror Story: Asylum
Behind the Candelabra
The Crimson Petal and the White
The Hour
Political Animals
Top of the Lake

BEST ACTRESS IN A MOVIE OR MINISERIES
Angela Bassett (Betty & Coretta)
Romola Garai (The Hour)
Rebecca Hall (Parade’s End)
Jessica Lange (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Elisabeth Moss (Top of the Lake)
Sigourney Weaver (Political Animals)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MOVIE OR MINISERIES
James Cromwell (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Peter Mullan (Top of the Lake)
Zachary Quinto (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Sebastian Stan (Political Animals)
David Wenham (Top of the Lake)
Thomas M. Wright (Top of the Lake)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MOVIE OR MINISERIES
Ellen Burstyn (Political Animals)
Sienna Miller (The Girl)
Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Lily Rabe (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Imelda Staunton (The Girl)
Alfre Woodard (Steel Magnolias)

It's wonderful to see James Cromwell, Zachary Quinto, and Lily Rabe finally get in on the awards action after delivering some truly fantastic performances last season. Let's hope at least one of these mentions trickles down into Golden Globes or Emmy Awards nominations. 

What are your hopes for American Horror Story:Coven? Who do you think some of these cast-members might be playing and why on Earth are we not seeing a few more S1 only actors returning (looking at you Denis O'Hare and Alexandra Breckenridge)?

Sound off in the comments below.