Will Jessica Lange return to FX's American Horror Story after taking the upcoming season off?

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Lange publicly announced that she was leaving American Horror Story after four seasons, and she has made good on her word. The actress left the horror anthology series to start work on a Broadway revival of Long Day's Journey Into Night. The revival actually has her working with AHS boss Ryan Murphy again, who bought the rights to the play.

Murphy addressed Lange's exit at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour. He said that his actors "all have one-year deals" with American Horror Story and Lange "decided she wanted a year off to do a play, which I bought for her stupidly."

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Murphy's language that Lange simply "wanted a year off" could imply that she would be interested in coming back for a future season still. This is slightly different from Lange's initial announcement that she was retiring from the show outright.

Lange has been the unequivocal star of American Horror Story since the first season in 2011. She played scene stealer Constance Langdon in season 1, a role which won her a Golden Globe, a SAG Award and an Emmy. She was bumped up to a leading role in American Horror Story: Asylum where she played strict nun Sister Jude Martin. Then for American Horror Story: Coven she played Supreme witch Fiona Goode, which won her another Emmy. Finally in American Horror Story: Freak Show she played freak show owner Elsa Mars.

While Lange is moving on, the show will continue to have major star power. Lady Gaga is set to star in the upcoming fifth season, American Horror Story: Hotel while acting heavyweights like Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett are returning as well. While Lange's departure will make the show feel a little different than fans are used to, the acting caliber should stay consistently strong.

American Horror Story: Hotel premieres Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX.

Tags: American Horror Story television fx