American Horror Story: Asylum


American Horror Story: Asylum is the second season of the American FX horror anthology television series American Horror Story, created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. It originally aired from October 17, 2012 to January 23, 2013. The premise of the second season marked a departure from that of the series's, featuring all new characters and a new location, thus marking American Horror Story as an anthology series.
The season begins in 1964 at the fictional mental institution, Briarcliff Manor, following the stories of the staff and inmates who occupy it, and intercuts with events in the past and present. Returning cast members from the previous season of the series include: Zachary Quinto, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, Jessica Lange, Dylan McDermott, and Frances Conroy, along with new cast members Joseph Fiennes, Lizzie Brocheré, and James Cromwell.
Like its predecessor, Asylum was well received by television critics. The performances of Lange, Cromwell, Quinto, Paulson, and Rabe were particularly praised. The season garnered seventeen Primetime Emmy Award nominations, more than any other show, including Outstanding Miniseries or Movie and four acting nominations for Lange, Paulson, Cromwell, and Quinto, with Cromwell winning for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie. In addition, Quinto and Paulson won their respective supporting categories at the 3rd Critics' Choice Television Awards.
Despite being formerly anthological, some of the cast members reprise their roles in the series's fourth and sixth cycle, ' and ', such as: Rabe, Naomi Grossman, Paulson, and John Cromwell, portraying Sister Mary Eunice McKee, Pepper, Lana Winters, and a young version of Dr. Arthur Arden, also known as Hans Grüper, respectively.

Cast and characters

Main

Production

Development

In October 2011, the FX Network renewed the series for a second season. In December 2011, series co-creator Ryan Murphy announced his plans to change the characters and location for the second season. He did say, however, that some actors who starred in the first season would be returning. "The people that are coming back will be playing completely different characters, creatures, monsters, etc. stories are done. People who are coming back will be playing entirely new characters," he announced.
In May 2012, Murphy revealed that the setting for the second season will be an institution for the criminally insane that Jessica Lange's character operates in the 1960s, called Briarcliff Manor and located on the East Coast. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Murphy spoke about originally wanting to set the season in a prison, "I think at one point as we were spitballing season two before we landed on the asylum idea, we had actually talked about doing the second season in a prison but then Alcatraz came along and stole that idea. It was never very definitive but I always liked that idea. I think an insane asylum for us was probably much more effective."
Talking about the season, Murphy commented, "It's a completely different world and has nothing to do with season 1; there's not a mention of season 1... The second season is set in a completely different time period." He later said, "Everyone looks so different, people who were enemies last year are allies this year. The sets are amazing. It's 1964, so everything looks very different."
Murphy had also told TV Guide that there would not be any ghosts in the second season, "I think the story is horrifying," he said. "The story is a period piece in a mental institution based largely on truth and truth is always scarier than fiction."
In August 2012, Murphy announced the season's new name by stating, "We picked 'Asylum' because it not only describes the setting – an insane asylum run by Jessica Lange's character which was formerly a tuberculosis ward – but also signifies a place of haven for the unloved and the unwanted," he said. "This year's theme is about sanity and tackling real life horrors."
Previous consulting producer Tim Minear was promoted to executive producer and continued writing for the series, beginning with the season premiere. He also scripted the season finale.

Casting

In March 2012, Murphy revealed that the second season had been conceptualized around Jessica Lange, saying, "This will really be the Jessica Lange show so I'm very excited about it. We are designing this amazing new opposite of the Constance character for her. She and I have spoken about different things. She has a lot of ideas, and has a lot of input into her character. She told me some things she has always wanted to play as an actress." She portrayed Sister Jude, an apparent sadistic nun. Zachary Quinto, who had a recurring role as Chad in the first season, was confirmed as one of the leads in March 2012. He portrayed Dr. Oliver Thredson, a psychiatrist with groundbreaking treatment methods that go against Sister Jude's. Comparing his new character to his previous one, Quinto said, "He's much more grounded and in control." At the PaleyFest 2012, Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, and Lily Rabe were confirmed to return as main cast members for the second season. Paulson portrayed Lana Winters, a lesbian reporter whose girlfriend is coerced by Sister Jude into having her committed to the asylum, Rabe portrayed Sister Mary Eunice, an innocent and loyal second-in-charge to Sister Jude, and Peters portrayed Kit Walker, a man who's accused of murdering his wife, Alma, but he claims she was abducted by aliens. Murphy had stated that Peters, "who was last season's ultimate badass bad boy", would be the hero of the show this season.
It was reported in March 2012 that Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine was in final negotiations to appear in the second season, and that he would play Leo, a "contemporary character and half of a couple called "The Lovers," according to Tim Stack of Entertainment Weekly. Levine revealed to E! in June 2012 that his character is "newly married" and would go with his wife on their honeymoon. "I don't want to tell you too much... but it's gory." Jenna Dewan-Tatum played his wife, Teresa. In April 2012, Lizzie Brocheré was cast to play Grace, a character described originally as "a fierce, ferocious, extremely sexual, and dangerous wild-child sexpot" to rival Jessica Lange's character, but the role was later heavily revamped. In May 2012, James Cromwell signed on to co-star as Dr. Arthur Arden, a man who works in the asylum, and who is revealed to have been a Nazi. Chloë Sevigny played the role of Shelley, a nymphomaniac whose husband has her placed in the asylum.
In June 2012, Joseph Fiennes joined the main cast as Monsignor Timothy Howard, a possible love interest for Jessica Lange's Sister Jude. Later that month, Chris Zylka was cast to play Daniel, who was touted as "the most beautiful boy in the world and a deaf mute"; however, Zylka was later replaced by an unmentioned actor, due to his reluctance to shave his head for the role. Britne Oldford was cast in the recurring role of Alma, Peters' character's supposed dead/missing wife. In July 2012, Mark Consuelos was cast as a patient named Spivey, who was described as a degenerate bully. Also in July, Clea DuVall was cast as Wendy, a school teacher and Lana's girlfriend, and Franka Potente was cast in an unspecified role, which was later revealed to be Anne Frank / Charlotte Brown.
In August 2012, Blake Sheldon was cast in the dual role of Devon and Cooper, both described as "tall, thin and psychopathic." Ultimately Sheldon wound up portraying only Cooper. Murder House actress Frances Conroy guest starred as Shachath, the Angel of Death. Eric Stonestreet was scheduled to guest star in this season as a killer, but his appearance never came to fruition. Mark Margolis recurred as Sam Goodwin, while David Chisum and Amy Farrington guest starred as a caring husband and a troubled mother, respectively. In mid-October, Ian McShane joined the season in the recurring role of Leigh Emerson, a psychotic man who murders people while wearing a Santa Claus suit; he has a vendetta against Sister Jude. Dylan McDermott appeared during the second half of the season as Johnny Morgan, the modern day Bloody Face.

Filming

for the second season began on July 17, 2012. The exteriors for the second season were filmed in Hidden Valley, Ventura County, California, a rural area outside Los Angeles. The exterior filming of Briarcliff was done at the Old Orange County Courthouse. Series production designer Mark Worthington stated, "It's referred to as Richardsonian and Romanesque. It's named after an architect named Henry Hobson Richardson. He developed the style in the 19th century. It's circular arches, heavy stone. It's creepy, great for horror. It's dark, dark shiny brick. That's how we got away from all the hospital light stuff. There's still an institutional feel to it."

Reception

Critical response

American Horror Story: Asylum has received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. It has scored 65 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 23 reviews. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 84% approval rating with an average rating of 7.27/10 based on 44 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "American Horror Story: Asylum crosses boundaries to shock and scare with sexy subplots and some innovative takes on current social issues." James Poniewozik, from Time, said of the early episodes of the second season, "AHS: Asylum feels like a more focused, if equally frenetic, screamfest. It's also gorgeously realized, with a vision of its '60s institution setting so detailed you can smell the stale air and incense."
Maureen Ryan of The Huffington Post said, "It's to the credit of Asylum writers, directors and cast that the emotional pain of the characters often feels as real as their uncertainty and terror." However, Verne Gay of Newsday gave the season a C grade, writing that it "has some good special effects, just not much of a story to hang them on." Linda Stasi of the New York Post thought this season was "over the top", stating, "I need to enter myself after two hours of this craziness."
In a round-up of outstanding entertainers and programs of 2012, Jess Cagle of Entertainment Weekly praised "its ballsy, go-for-broke, don't-tax-the-attention-span-of-any-gnats-who-might-be-watching approach", writing, "You know a show has a lot going on when the occasional appearance of extraterrestrials is no more surprising than spotting a Prius on Modern Family. FX's grand experiment American Horror Story came howling back for its second terrifying season with less of a story...than a macabre, unforgettable, discordant symphony of images and characters... American Horror Story: Asylum, set mostly in the 1960s, took the current zeitgeist – with all its free-floating fear, nefarious undercurrents, and outrageous anxiety – skinned it alive, and turned it into a lamp to illuminate our collectively twisted psyche and voracious appetite for distraction."

Awards and nominations

In its second season, American Horror Story: Asylum was nominated for 89 awards, and won 28.
YearAssociationCategoryNomineeResult
201217th Satellite AwardsBest Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or TV FilmEvan Peters
201217th Satellite AwardsBest TV Series – GenreAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
2012IGN's Best of 2012: TVBest Sci-Fi/Horror SeriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
2012IGN's Best of 2012: TVBest TV ActressJessica Lange
20124th Dorian AwardsTV Performance of the YearJessica Lange
20124th Dorian AwardsTV Drama of the YearAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
20124th Dorian AwardsLGBT-Themed TV Show of the YearAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
20124th Dorian AwardsCampy TV Show of the YearAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
20133rd Critics' Choice TV AwardsBest Movie or MiniseriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
20133rd Critics' Choice TV AwardsBest Actress in a Movie or MiniseriesJessica Lange
20133rd Critics' Choice TV AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Movie or MiniseriesZachary Quinto
20133rd Critics' Choice TV AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Movie or MiniseriesJames Cromwell
20133rd Critics' Choice TV AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Movie or MiniseriesSarah Paulson
20133rd Critics' Choice TV AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Movie or MiniseriesLily Rabe
201319th Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama SeriesJessica Lange
201324th GLAAD Media AwardsOutstanding TV Movie or Mini-SeriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201329th TCA AwardsOutstanding Achievement in Movies, Mini-Series, and SpecialsAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201339th Saturn AwardsBest Syndicated/Cable TV SeriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201339th Saturn AwardsBest Actress on TVSarah Paulson
201339th Saturn AwardsBest Supporting Actress on TVJessica Lange
201370th Golden Globe AwardsBest Actress – Miniseries or TV FilmJessica Lange
201365th DGA AwardsOutstanding Directing – Miniseries or TV FilmMichael Rymer
2013American Film Institute Awards 2012TV Programs of the YearAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th ADG Excellence in Production Design AwardsTV Movie or MiniseriesMark Worthington
201360th MPSE Golden Reel AwardsBest Sound Editing: Short Form Sound Effects and Foley in TVEpisode: "Welcome to Briarcliff"
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Actress in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesJessica Lange
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesZachary Quinto
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesJames Cromwell
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesEvan Peters
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesSarah Paulson
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesLily Rabe
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Motion Picture or MiniseriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Ensemble in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Direction of a Motion Picture or MiniseriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Writing of a Motion Picture or MiniseriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Music in a Non-SeriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Editing in a Non-SeriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Cinematography in a Non-SeriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Production Design in a Non-SeriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Costume Design in a Non-SeriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Makeup/Hairstyling in a Non-SeriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Sound in a Non-SeriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest Visual Effects in a Non-SeriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest New Theme Song in a Non-SeriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th Online Film & TV Association AwardsBest New Titles Sequence in a Non-SeriesAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201365th Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Miniseries or MovieAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201365th Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or MovieJessica Lange
201365th Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or MovieJames Cromwell
201365th Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or MovieZachary Quinto
201365th Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or MovieSarah Paulson
201365th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or MovieMark Worthington, Andrew Murdock, Ellen Brill
201365th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or MovieMark Worthington, Edward L. Rubin, Ellen Brill
201365th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie, or SpecialRobert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson
201365th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie, or SpecialChrisi Karvonides, Conan Castro
201365th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or MovieMichael Goi
201365th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or MovieFabienne Bouville
201365th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or MovieMonte C. Haught, Janis Clark, Stacey K. Black, Natalie Driscoll, Michelle Ceglia
201365th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Main Title DesignRyan Murphy, Kyle Cooper, Juan Ruiz Anchia, Kate Berry
201365th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Make-up for a Miniseries or MovieEryn Krueger Mekash, Kim Ayers, Silvina Knight, John Elliot
201365th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Prosthetic Make-up for a Series, Miniseries, Movie, or SpecialEryn Krueger Mekash, Mike Mekash, Hiroshi Yada, Christopher Nelson, Kim Ayers, Silvina Knight, Christien Tinsley, Jason Hamer
201365th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie, or SpecialGary Megregian, Steve M. Stuhr, Jason Krane, Christian Buenaventura, Timothy A. Cleveland, David Klotz, Andrew Dawson, Noel Vought
201365th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or MovieSean Rush, Joe Earle, Doug Andham
20132nd PAAFTJ TV Awards*Best Miniseries or TV MovieAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
20132nd PAAFTJ TV Awards*Best Lead Actress in Miniseries or TV MovieJessica Lange
20132nd PAAFTJ TV Awards*Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or TV MovieJames Cromwell
20132nd PAAFTJ TV Awards*Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or TV MovieZachary Quinto
20132nd PAAFTJ TV Awards*Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or TV MovieSarah Paulson
20132nd PAAFTJ TV Awards*Best Cast in a Miniseries or TV MovieZachary Quinto, Joseph Fiennes, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, Lizzie Brocheré, James Cromwell, Jessica Lange
20132nd PAAFTJ TV Awards*Best Directing for a Miniseries or TV MovieMichael Rymer
20132nd PAAFTJ TV Awards*Best Writing for a Miniseries or TV MovieBrad Falchuk
20132nd PAAFTJ TV Awards*Best Artistic/Visual Achievement in a Miniseries or TV MovieMichael Goi, Mark Worthington, Andrew Murdock, Elen Brill, Monte C. Haught, Lou Eyrich
20132nd PAAFTJ TV Awards*Best Technical Achievement in a Miniseries or TV MovieStewart Schill, Jason Piccioni, John Bauman
2013Bram Stoker Award 2012Superior Achievement in a ScreenplayTim Minear
201327th ASC AwardsOutstanding Achievement in Cinematography: Motion Picture/MiniseriesMichael Goi, ASC
2013BMI Film & TV Awards 2013BMI Cable AwardCharlie Clouser
2013BMI Film & TV Awards 2013BMI Cable AwardCesar Davila-Irizarry
201329th Artios AwardsTV Movie or MiniseriesRobert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson, Carol Kritzer, Eric Souliere
201349th CAS AwardsOutstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing – TV Movie or MiniseriesSean Rush
Joe Earle, CAS
Doug Andham, CAS
James S. Levine
Judah Getz
Kyle Billingsley
201315th CDG AwardsOutstanding Made for TV Movie or Mini-SeriesLou Eyrich
20135th Dorian AwardsTV Musical Performance of the YearJessica Lange and cast
20138th HPA AwardsOutstanding Editing – TVJoe Leonard and Bradley Buecker, A.C.E.
2013Key Art Awards 2013Best EngagementAmerican Horror Story: Asylum
201317th PRISM AwardsDrama Series Multi-Episode Storyline – Substance UseEpisodes: "Nor'easter", "I Am Anne Frank: Part 2", "Dark Cousin"
2013TV Guide Awards 2013Favorite VillainZachary Quinto
2013Women's Image Network Awards 2013Outstanding Actress Made for TV Movie/MiniseriesJessica Lange
2014Society of Camera Operators Awards 2014Camera Operator of the Year – TVJames Reid, SOC
201425th PGA AwardsOutstanding Producer of Long-Form TVBrad Buecker, Dante Di Loreto, Brad Falchuk, Alexis Martin Woodall, Tim Minear, Ryan Murphy, Jennifer Salt, Chip Vucelich, James Wong
2014Bram Stoker Award 2013Superior Achievement in a ScreenplayBrad Falchuk
201464th ACE Eddie AwardsBest Edited Miniseries or Motion Picture for TVStewart Schill, A.C.E.

* The Pan-American Association of Film & Television Journalists never announced the winners.

Ratings

The first episode of the season gained a 2.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49 and garnered 3.85 million viewers, marking the highest numbers for the series and the highest numbers for the night's cable competition.

Soundtrack

Digital singles