Full-Throttle Ghosting? American Horror Story Creator Promises Black-Led Season, But Vanishes!

Summary

American Horror Story co-creator Ryan Murphy faces backlash for ghosting actor Angelica Ross after promising a season led by Black actors.

Ross shares email screenshots from Murphy confirming his intention to do a horror season starring Black women.

Murphy has not responded since her last follow-up email in 2022.

American Horror Story co-creator Ryan Murphy is under scrutiny for abandoning actor Angelica Ross after making promises of a season featuring Black women in leading roles. Ross played the character Donna Chambers in AHS: 1984, a researcher with a disturbing fascination with serial killers. She also appeared in American Horror Story: Double Feature and gained recognition for her role in Pose, a critically acclaimed drama co-created by Murphy, where she portrayed Candy Johnson-Ferocity.

Ross took to Twitter to share screenshots of emails exchanged with Murphy. These emails, dating back to July 2020, seem to confirm Murphy's previous commitment to creating a season of American Horror Story centered around Black women. Here are the screenshots:

In July 2020, Murphy reached out to Ross, mentioning her suggestion of a horror season featuring black women, and informed her that he was taking action on it. Ross responded by sharing a video reel titled "White People Who Present Diversity," in which she highlights the significance of portraying stories about black transgender women and criticizes the inadequate portrayal of such issues in films and television shows. The video also includes the email exchange between Ross and Murphy.

Ross concludes her series of tweets by sharing a screenshot of an email she sent to Murphy in February 2022. In the accompanying tweet, she explains that she sent the email while still contractually obligated to the show. It had taken about a year to film season 10 due to COVID. She also mentions that Marvel had reached out to her twice, but she hadn't heard from Murphy since then. Ross had to decline the opportunity with Marvel because of her contract with AHS.

In another tweet, Ross discusses a director who expressed a lack of enthusiasm for a season led by Black women. She reveals that this white director was upset and believed he wouldn't be returning for the next season due to a "change in direction." Ross mentions that she had already been advocating for Black writers and directors.

Angelica Ross' American Horror Story E-Mail Exchanges, Explained

Ross's proposal for a season of American Horror Story featuring Black actors included casting suggestions that encompassed prominent figures such as Angela Bassett, Lynn Whitfield, Alfre Woodard, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Lupita Nyong’o, Debbi Morgan, Amiyah Scott, and Halle Berry.

However, considering that the most recent update on a Black-led season of AHS was in February 2022, it is likely that these possibilities have been abandoned. The specific reasons for this decision remain unclear, as Murphy appears to have discontinued discussions with Ross after February 2022. Subsequent to this particular email exchange, two seasons have been created, including the upcoming season 12 of American Horror Story, which centers around Danielle Valentine's novel, Delicate Condition.

Representatives for Murphy and FX did not respond. However, a source familiar with the matter disclosed to TheWrap that Murphy's anthology shows tend to explore numerous ideas before finalizing a premise. Regardless, whether or not it falls within the American Horror Story brand, it is anticipated that Ross will assemble a talented ensemble cast and an intriguing concept.