FX’sAmerican Horror Storyand HBO’sGame of Throneshave very little in common, as far as the content of their shows, but the former seemingly took a page out of the latter’s playbook for Season 6. Much likeGame of ThronesSeason 6, FX didn’t release any plot details or confirm any cast members ahead of theSeason 6 Premierethat aired last night, which finally revealed the new theme for this season. As previously rumored,American Horror Story Season 6will be entitledMy Roanoke Nightmare, centering on a mystery that dates back to the 16th Century. There will be SPOILERS for the Season 6 premiere below, so read on at your own risk.
A few months ago, FX started releasingnew trailersfor this season, but FX presidentJohn Landgraflater admitted that only one of the trailers accurately represents this seasons themes, while the others are misdirects.Deadlineconfirms that the Roanoke in this season’s title refers to Roanoke Island, and the “Lost Colony” of 117 settlers who vanished sometime between 1585 and 1587. The only message left behind was the word “Croaton” that was scrawled into a tree, the name of a Native American tribe the colonists had established relations with.
This disappearance happened during the Anglo-Spanish War, just before the 1588 attack by the Spanish Armada, so the final fate of this colony has never been confirmed. One of the most prevalent theories is that these colonists were either attacked by their Croaton neighbors, or that they integrated within their population, but nothing was ever confirmed, making this one of the most enduring mysteries in American history. Earlier this summer,set photosfrom the Santa Clarita, California set surfaced, featuring cast members wearing “Pilgrim-era” clothing, with the word Croaton carved into a tree.
FX PresidentJohn Landgrafhad previously teased thatAmerican Horror Story Season 6will be set in two different time periods, but largely in present day. The season opens by followingLily RabeandAndre Hollandas Shelby and Matt, a couple living in Los Angeles who are expecting a baby. After Matt is assaulted while on a date with Shelby, the couple decides to move to North Carolina, where they buy a 1792 farmhouse. The couple tells their story directly into the camera, but they are also played in flashbacks bySarah PaulsonandAmerican Crime StorystarCuba Gooding Jr..
Matt has to travel to Raleigh for his job as a pharmaceutical salesman, and while he’s gone, Shelby starts having violent hallucinations. Matt calls on his sister Lee, played byAdina Porterin first person camera, andAngela Bassettin flashbacks, to look over Shelby, who starts to see a mysterious man dressed as a pig in the woods. There is also a scene whereLily Rabe’s Shelby hits a woman wearing colonial attire (Kathy Bates) with her car, and we see that there is a group of colonials, apparently lead byWes Bentley’s mysterious character.
Surprisingly, the season premiere didn’t featureLady Gaga, who confirmed her involvement this season during a radio interview earlier this year. Also absent during the premiere are previously-confirmed cast members such asDenis O’Hare,Finn Whittrock,Cheyenne Jackson,Evan Peters,Matt BomerandJacob Artist. With this season finally under way, the mysteries ofAmerican Horror StorySeason 6 will continue to be revealed every Wednesday night at 10 PM ET on FX.
