Best known for his multiple roles in FX’s anthology series, American Horror Story (AHS), Evan Peters has played a series of breakout characters, being one of the few actors (along with Sarah Paulson) to participate in all nine out of the franchise’s ten completed seasons. In his most notorious role of American Horror Story: Hotel, James March is a ruthless serial killer during the early years of The Hotel Cortez’s existence. As he later dies in the same hotel, his ghost is among the countless spirits that haunt the existing residents while playing a crucial role as a mentor to vicious serial murderers during the height of their criminal escapades.
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In the “Devil’s Night” episode, Mr. March hosts a dinner party full of infamous, psychopathic murderers. Guests included Aileen Wuornos (Lily Rabe), John Wayne Gacy (John Carroll Lynch), Jeffrey Dahmer (Seth Gabel), Richard Ramirez (Anthony Ruivivar), in addition to a black-masked, unidentifiable Zodiac Killer. Mr. March’s reoccurring soirée consists of gruesome group kills, endless glowing testimonies of influence, and homage to March, not to mention the disturbing gifts to his fellow proteges. Both fans and critics of the series have all praised Peters for his depictions of the countless characters he has played throughout the series, due to how well he is easily able to transform and adapt, while providing the occasional whit and comedic relief within key scenes, allowing his characters to come off as relatable and humanized (although gritty).
After season eight of AHS: Apocalypse, the Emmy Award-winning actor took a break from the show. The reasoning was due to the growing strain that playing these characters had put on his mental mindset. While taking a break, Peters was able to work on various projects such as FX’s Pose, Marvel’s WandaVision, and HBO’s hit limited series Mare of Easttown. The latter earned Peters his first Primetime Emmy Award as best supporting actor in a limited series. Though he has found tremendous success away from the AHS franchise, Peters shocked longtime fans when the network announced he would be returning to season ten of American Horror Story: Red Tide, generating a mass scale of fan excitement in his role as Broadway’s most elite star, Austin Summers. If renewed by FX for a season ten, here’s why Evan Peters should be a part of the upcoming season.
The Exciting Way Peters Approaches Acting
FX
Life-long fans of the AHS franchise will always commend Evan Peters for his consistent energy and willingness to challenge himself throughout his past performances. He deeply immerses himself in his subjects, in certain instances isolating himself from cast and crew members, demonstrating what a great actor he is while also showing how much he commits. In season seven of American Horror Story: Cult, Peters plays the fictional character of Kai Anderson, a cult leader who becomes radicalized by the existing chaotic political landscape.
While promoting season seven, Peters mentioned in a series of interviews just how mentally taxing it became to portray not only the vicious and heartless character of Kai Anderson, but additionally real-life people like Charles Manson (leader of the Manson Family), David Koresh (group leader of the religious sect the Brand Davidians), Jim Jones (the leader of the Peoples Temple cult who was responsible for the mass suicide of over 900 men, women and children in Jonestown), and Andy Warhol (who was shot from the frame of being a radicalized feminist).
He explains that having to go to work every day, for hours and hours on end, while placing himself into the mindset of portraying these horrendous people (with the exception of Warhol), began to impact his life outside of work. The scene where he plays Jim Jones and reenacts the cool-aid moment with the followers alongside him is emotional to get through, simply from a viewer’s perspective. No one can imagine how strenuous it has to be, acting out this moment. After season seven, Evans transitioned from leading character to a supporting role in season eight of American Horror Story: Apocalypse before taking a break from the series.
Fan Reception
Fans of the show deeply admire the effectively executed work of Evan Peters, although his character from the show’s third season, AHS: Coven, failed to correlate with the franchise’s base. As much as he has contributed to the show, fans were shocked to learn that the actor was not returning for AHS: 1984, the show’s ninth season. During the duration of season nine airing on television, lovers of the series took to social media to request that Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson return.
As significant actors of the show, fans have become accustomed to seeing the two play some sort of key role in each of the seasons, so it came as a surprise for neither to show up in season nine. However, Evan and Sarah surprised fans of the show when a promo was released in August 2021, from the then upcoming season of AHS: Red Tide, confirming their awaited return after two years.
As a multidimensional actor, Peters is a dynamic on-screen presence, drawing in viewers as he flawlessly tackles an extensive range of personalities through an exciting and unconventional lens. Besides the proven fact that his on-screen presence boosts ratings, even if he’s only playing more minor roles (such as his time as Edward Philippe Mott in AHS: Roanoke), fans tune into the anthology series to first-hand witness what combination of sadistic, kooky, humorous and innovative characters Evan Peters will bring.
