TV Preview – American Horror Story: Coven – Fox October 29th 10pm

Improbable as it may seem that the creator of Glee came up with the American Horror Story series, now entering it’s third season. But then you remember that Ryan Murphy was the brainchild of Nip Tuck and it all makes sense. The only thing that the previous seasons of American Horror Story share are the actors,as each story-line is a stand alone. Season 1 examined the haunted house (Murder House), Season 2 (Asylum) was set in a psychiatric unit and now Season 3 centres on a coven of witches who relocate from Salem to New Orleans before the Salem witch trials and spans from 1830 to present day. Those that escaped extermination during the witch trials are now facing extinction as mysterious attacks are taking place against their kind. A school has been opened in New Orleans to teach the young witches how to protect themselves and the long absent Supreme, played by the fantastic Jessica Lange, arrives to protect the coven and their secrets. Events reveal a long rivalry between the witches and those practicing Voodoo in New Orleans, including the Voodoo Queen played by Angela Bassett.

Returning actors from the previous seasons are Sarah Paulson, Taissa Farmiga, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe and Jessica Lange. Joining them this season is the formidable Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe, Danny Huston and Patty LuPone. I’m particularly looking forward to Taissa Farmiga’s return and any potential love interest with Evan Peters reflecting their twisted Romeo and Juliet love story from season 1.

Murphy says the whole season is an allegory on race relations in America today with the white witches and the black voodoo practitioners at odds with each other. The season also has more of a thriller aspect to the story-line unlike the prior seasons. There is also a black comedic feel to this season without compromising on the scare factor. Kathy Bates character might even be more scary than her turn in Misery, and even more frighteningly ,she is based on a real person who committed all the atrocities shown in the first episode! I’ll be setting my Sky box for this one, just in case I have to fast forward the really scary bits!

By LAW