Now that Jessica Lange is supposedly leaving FX's American Horror Story, could the show's other lead Sarah Paulson take over and command season 5?

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If Lange was the star of the show for three seasons of American Horror Story then Paulson was second in command. Paulson has become a very important member of the cast since Asylum, with her breakout role as Lana Winters. She would then play Cordelia Goode in Coven and then Dot and Bette Tattler in Freak Show.

With prominent roles in the past three seasons, it would seem likely that Paulson will continue to be a star in season 5, even without Lange. She has become a very reliable player and the rare AHS actress to have all of her roles be on the side of good rather than evil, relatively speaking.

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There is some uncertainly as to whether or not she will be able to return to American Horror Story in the fall due to her appearing in a prominent role on American Crime Story, another Ryan Murphy joint. Filming is expected to occur in the spring so that should give her time to potentially appear in both, since American Horror Story films in the summer and the fall.

Either way, the idea of losing both Lange and Paulson may be too much for fans to bear, so it seems very likely that Murphy and company will want her back.

American Horror Story season 5 is expected to debut in October on FX, though the network has not yet announced a specific premiere date.

Tags: American Horror Story television fx