Why Sarah Paulson Left American Horror Story After Season 10

Sarah Paulson opened up about the actual motive she left American Horror Story after season 10, explaining why she hasn’t appeared since. Paulson started performing within the horror anthology sequence in season 1 as Billie Dean Howard. Her final look was on the solid of American Horror Story: Double Function, taking part in Karen in Pink Tide and Mamie Eisenhower in Dying Valley.

Talking with Selection, Paulson defined she hadn’t appeared in American Horror Story since season 10 as a result of she wanted a break from the sequence. The actor particularly defined how the faux horrors she skilled all through her time within the present made it tough for her physique to distinguish “between the actual and imagined.” Take a look at what Paulson mentioned under:

There’s this phenomenon I’ve talked to different actors about that’s actually onerous to explain except you’re operating via the woods simulating terror for six months out of the 12 months, yearly. Your physique doesn’t know the distinction between the actual and imagined, no less than not the best way I work. If I’m terrified, I’m hyperventilating and I’m operating from one thing, then I’m really experiencing that.

Paulson’s time on American Horror Story started with a recurring position in Homicide Home. Following her efficiency within the debut season, she’s had a essential position in each season of the present afterward via season 10, aside from season 9. This included reprising previous roles, reminiscent of Billie and Asylum‘s Lana Winters, whereas taking part in different essential characters on the identical time.

Paulson is tied for first place because the actor who’s appeared in essentially the most seasons of American Horror Story. Her contender is Evan Peters, who has additionally appeared in each season she’s been in. Given her longevity with the sequence and the various roles she’s portrayed, the toll it took on her makes her break from the sequence wise.

But it surely’s not a break that is going to final ceaselessly. She’ll be returning for an undisclosed position in American Horror Story season 13, which premieres on October 31, 2026 on FX. Different returning solid members embody Peters, Jessica Lange, Emma Roberts, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Billie Lourde, Leslie Grossman, and Gabourey Sidibe, alongside Ariana Grande’s debut within the present.

Having final appeared on the present in 2021, it looks like Paulson is able to return. Nonetheless, her assertion clarifies that coming again for a similar sort of horror-themed mission again and again is not good for her psychological well being. It additionally permits her to department out to different tasks, just like the film Maintain Your Breath and the TV sequence The Bear.

The phobia she discusses makes it clear that she seemingly will not be showing in consecutive seasons of American Horror Story ought to the sequence proceed previous season 13. Even so, there isn’t any denying the affect she’s had on the sequence, making it a staple of her profession and making her an enormous starring presence for almost all of its tales.