American Horror Story co-creator Ryan Murphy is called out for ghosting actor Angelica Ross after promising a season that would be led by Black women. Ross joined Murphy’s horror anthology for AHS: 1984, portraying the researcher Donna Chambers. After her stint as Chambers, who turned out to have a fixation on serial killers, Ross returned for American Horror Story: Double Feature. She’d also starred in Pose, the acclaimed drama co-created by Murphy, and portrayed Candy Johnson-Ferocity.
In a series of tweets, Ross shared screenshots of emails she exchanged with Murphy. The e-mails date back to July 2020, showing that Murphy seems to confirm the existence of an AHS season that would have been led by Black women. Check them out below:
The first tweet reveals the initial interaction between Ross and Muprhy. “Remember your idea about a HORROR season starring black women? Well I’m doing it,” Murphy wrote to Ross in one e-mail in July 2020.
Ross then includes a video reel with the text, “White People Who Present Diversity.” She emphasizes the importance of telling stories about Black transgender women and criticizes how the issues are poorly handled in movies and TV shows. The video then adds the same email exchange between Ross and Murphy.
Ross concludes her series of tweets by sharing a screenshot of an e-mail she sent to Murphy in February 2022. In the tweet accompanying the screenshot, Ross explains: “I sent one last email in Feb 2022 (it took about a year to film season 10 due to COVID) while still contractually in first position with the show. Mind you, marvel had called twice now. I haven’t heard from him since.” The mention of Marvel is because Ross had been contacted for an undisclosed role in the MCU but says she couldn’t accept due to being contracted with AHS.
In one tweet, Ross also references a director who wasn’t excited about a season that would have been led by Black women. She shares: “One white director was MOPING on set saying he doesn’t think he’s coming back next season because there’s been a ‘change in direction’.” Ross said she was already pushing for Black writers and directors.
Angelica Ross’ American Horror Story E-Mail Exchanges, Explained
Ross’s pitch for a season of American Horror Story led by Black actors involved casting suggestions, which included some big names and one former AHS alum Angela Bassett. The actor brought up the likes of Lynn Whitfield, Alfre Woodard, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Lupita Nyong’o, Debbi Morgan, Amiyah Scott, and Halle Berry.
Considering the final AHS update of a Black-led season ended in February 2022, the possibilities have likely been scrapped. The reasons why this idea did not go through have also not been clarified, as Murphy seemingly did not continue such talks with Ross post-February 2022. Since that last dated email, two seasons have been produced, including the upcoming American Horror Story season 12, focused on the novel Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine.
Representatives for Murphy and FX did not respond. But a source familiar with the matter told TheWrap that Murphy’s anthology shows tend to consider multiple ideas before moving forward with a decided premise. In any case, even if it’s not under the American Horror Story brand, hopefully, Ross will be able to bring an all-star cast and killer concept together.
