Evan Peters Reveals What Excites Him Most About Ariana Grande Joining American Horror Story

American Horror Story veteran Evan Peters can barely contain his enthusiasm about Ariana Grande joining the cast for season 13. In an exclusive interview with E! News, the Emmy-winning actor opened up about what the pop superstar-turned-actress brings to Ryan Murphy's anthology horror series—and what he's most eager to discover about her role.

"What Doesn't She Bring to the Cast?"

When asked about Grande's addition to the show, Peters didn't hold back his praise. "What doesn't she bring to the cast?" he told E! News' Will Marfuggi. "She's an incredible performer and actress, and I think that's gonna be awesome to have her on board."

The announcement came during Halloween 2025, revealing that the Wicked: For Good actress would star alongside Peters in season 13. The two have already collaborated before, with Peters appearing in Grande's "we can't be friends" music video, giving them existing chemistry to build upon.

Peters is particularly curious about how showrunner Ryan Murphy will utilize Grande's multifaceted talents for the small screen. Having previously worked with Murphy on Scream Queens in 2015, Grande is no stranger to the horror-comedy aesthetic that Murphy excels at creating. But American Horror Story represents a different beast entirely—one that demands intense dramatic performances alongside the campy elements fans love.

Waiting to Discover Her Character

What makes Peters' excitement even more genuine is that he hasn't read any scripts yet. "I'm excited to see what's gonna be in the season," he continued. "I haven't read anything yet, so I'm curious what it's gonna be, what's it gonna have her doing. It's exciting."

This element of surprise extends to fans as well. Will Grande play a victim, a villain, or something more complex? Murphy has a track record of subverting expectations with his casting choices, giving actors opportunities to showcase sides of themselves audiences haven't seen before. Given Grande's vocal prowess, dramatic range demonstrated in Wicked, and comfort with darker material, the possibilities are endless.

A Star-Studded Season 13

Grande joins an impressive roster of AHS veterans returning for season 13. Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and Emma Roberts—all franchise favorites who have delivered memorable performances across previous seasons—will share the screen with the pop icon. This combination of established horror anthology talent with Grande's fresh perspective could create the kind of dynamic chemistry that made earlier seasons so compelling.

The reunion of these particular cast members signals Murphy's intention to deliver something special for what many consider the show's milestone 13th season. Each of these actors has proven their ability to transform completely between seasons, inhabiting vastly different characters with equal conviction.

The Wait Until Halloween 2026

Fans will need considerable patience for season 13 of American Horror Story, which won't premiere until Halloween 2026. This extended timeline suggests Murphy and his team are taking their time crafting something worthy of the show's 13th season milestone and its star-studded cast.

For Grande, this represents another major step in her transition from pop superstar to serious actress. Following her acclaimed performance in Wicked, American Horror Story offers an opportunity to prove her range in a completely different genre. If Peters' enthusiasm is any indication, she's more than ready for the challenge.