View source for American Horror Story: Asylum


{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}

{{Infobox television season
| bgcolour     = #14131A
| image        = American Horror Story Season 2.jpg
| caption      = Promotional poster and home media cover art
| showrunner   = [[Ryan Murphy (producer)|Ryan Murphy]]
| starring     = {{Plainlist |
* [[Zachary Quinto]]
* [[Joseph Fiennes]]
* [[Sarah Paulson]]
* [[Evan Peters]]
* [[Lily Rabe]]
* [[Lizzie Brocheré]]
* [[James Cromwell]]
* [[Jessica Lange]]
}}
| num_episodes = 13
| network      = [[FX (TV channel)|FX]]
| first_aired  = {{Start date|2012|10|17}}
| last_aired   = {{End date|2013|1|23}}
| prev_season  = ''[[American Horror Story: Murder House|Murder House]]''
| next_season  = ''[[American Horror Story: Coven|Coven]]''
| episode_list = List of American Horror Story episodes
}}

The second season of the American [[Horror (genre)|horror]] [[Anthology series|anthology]] television series ''[[American Horror Story]]'', subtitled '''''Asylum''''', takes place in 1964 and follows the stories of the staff and inmates who occupy the fictional mental institution Briarcliff Manor, and intercuts with events in the past and present. The [[ensemble cast]] includes [[Zachary Quinto]], [[Joseph Fiennes]], [[Sarah Paulson]], [[Evan Peters]], [[Lily Rabe]], [[Lizzie Brocheré]], [[James Cromwell]], and [[Jessica Lange]], with all returning from the first season, except newcomers Fiennes, Brocheré, and Cromwell. 

Created by [[Ryan Murphy (producer)|Ryan Murphy]] and [[Brad Falchuk]] for the [[Cable television in the United States|cable]] network [[FX (TV channel)|FX]], the series is produced by [[20th Century Fox Television]]. ''Asylum'' was broadcast between October 17, 2012, to January 23, 2013, consisting of 13 episodes and attracting high ratings success for the network. Like its predecessor, the second season was well received by television critics, particularly for the performances of Lange, Cromwell, Quinto, Paulson, Peters and Rabe. As a result, the season garnered seventeen [[65th Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Award]] nominations, more than any other show, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie|Outstanding Miniseries or Movie]], and four acting nominations for Lange, Paulson, Cromwell, and Quinto, with Cromwell winning for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie|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]].

==Cast and characters==
{{main|List of American Horror Story cast members{{!}}List of ''American Horror Story'' cast members}}

===Main===
{{Multiple image
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| perrow        = 4
| direction     = horizontal
| caption_align = center
| align         = right
| header        = ''Asylum'' main cast
|image1 = Zachary Quinto by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
|caption1 = Zachary Quinto
|image2 = Joseph Fiennes 5 (cropped).jpg
|caption2 = Joseph Fiennes
|image3 = Sarah Paulson (42754338105) (cropped).jpg |caption3 = Sarah Paulson
|image4 = Evan Peters by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg
|caption4 = Evan Peters
|image5 = Lily Rabe 2008.jpg |caption5 = Lily Rabe
|image7 = James Cromwell 2010.jpg |caption7 = James Cromwell
|image8 = Jessica Lange (Cropped).JPG
|caption8 = Jessica Lange
}}
* [[Zachary Quinto]] as Dr. Oliver Thredson
* [[Joseph Fiennes]] as Monsignor Timothy Howard
* [[Sarah Paulson]] as Lana Winters
* [[Evan Peters]] as Kit Walker 
* [[Lily Rabe]] as Sister Mary Eunice McKee
* [[Lizzie Brocheré]] as Grace Bertrand
* [[James Cromwell]] as Dr. Arthur Arden
* [[Jessica Lange]] as Sister Jude Martin

===Special guest stars===
* [[Chloë Sevigny]] as Shelley 
* [[Ian McShane]] as Leigh Emerson

===Recurring===<!--Actors who have appeared in 3+ episodes!-->
* [[Naomi Grossman]] as Pepper
* [[Adam Levine]] as Leo Morrison
* [[Fredric Lehne]] as Frank McCann
* [[Britne Oldford]] as Alma Walker
* [[Frances Conroy]] as Shachath
* [[Jenna Dewan]] as Teresa Morrison
* [[Clea DuVall]] as Wendy Peyser
* [[Barbara Tarbuck]] as Mother Superior Claudia 
* [[Mark Consuelos]] as Spivey
* [[Matthew John Armstrong]] as Detective Byers 
* [[Mark Margolis]] as Sam Goodman
* [[Dylan McDermott]] as Johnny Morgan 
* [[Joel McKinnon Miller]] as Detective Connors

===Guest stars===<!--Actors who have only appeared in 1 or 2 episodes!-->
* [[Joe Egender]] as Billy Marshall
* [[Franka Potente]] as Charlotte Brown

==Episodes==
{{See also |List of American Horror Story episodes}}
<onlyinclude>{{Episode table |background = #14131A |overall = 5 |season = 5 |title = 26 |director = 17 |writer = 19 |airdate = 13 |prodcode = 6 |viewers = 9 |country = US |episodes = 
{{Episode list/sublist |American Horror Story: Asylum
|EpisodeNumber = 13
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = [[Welcome to Briarcliff]]
|DirectedBy = [[Bradley Buecker]]
|WrittenBy = [[Tim Minear]]
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|10|17}}
|ProdCode = 2ATS01
|Viewers = 3.85<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/18/american-horror-story-premieres-to-3-85-million-total-viewers-2-20-million-adults-18-49/153703/ |title = 'American Horror Story' Premiere Garners 3.85 Million Total Viewers, 2.20 Million Adults 18-49 |website = [[TV by the Numbers]] |access-date = October 18, 2012 |first = Sara |last = Bibel |date = October 18, 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20121018180457/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/18/american-horror-story-premieres-to-3-85-million-total-viewers-2-20-million-adults-18-49/153703/ |archive-date = October 18, 2012}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = In present day, a newlywed couple, Teresa and Leo, explore the now-abandoned Briarcliff Manor, a former [[insane asylum]] in rural Massachusetts. Flashback to 1964 when Kit Walker is being committed there, accused of being infamous serial killer "Bloody Face". Kit protests his innocence and flashes of his scattered memory suggest something far more sinister responsible. At Briarcliff, Kit befriends Grace, a fellow inmate believed to have murdered her family. Journalist Lana Winters trespasses onto Briarcliff, intent on exposing its mistreatment of inmates, so she can gain a better career for her and for her lover Wendy Peyser, a teacher. She is confronted by the tyrannical Sister Jude, who has her committed to the asylum because of her [[homosexuality]]. A bitter rivalry is ignited between Sister Jude and Dr. Arthur Arden.
|LineColor = 14131A
}}
{{Episode list/sublist |American Horror Story: Asylum
|EpisodeNumber = 14
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = [[Tricks and Treats (American Horror Story)|Tricks and Treats]]
|DirectedBy = Bradley Buecker
|WrittenBy = [[James Wong (producer)|James Wong]]
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|10|24}}
|ProdCode = 2ATS02
|Viewers = 3.06<ref>{{cite web |last = Kondolojy |first = Amanda |title = Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story: Asylum' Wins Night + 'Duck Dynasty', 'South Park', 'The Daily Show' & More |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/25/wednesday-cable-ratings-american-horrror-story-asylum-wins-night-duck-dynasty-south-park-the-daily-show-more/154653/ |website = TV by the Numbers |access-date = October 25, 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121027040412/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/25/wednesday-cable-ratings-american-horrror-story-asylum-wins-night-duck-dynasty-south-park-the-daily-show-more/154653/ |archive-date = October 27, 2012}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = In the present day, Teresa and Leo are attacked and pursued through Briarcliff by Bloody Face. Dr. Oliver Thredson arrives at Briarcliff as Kit's court-appointed therapist to determine if he can stand trial for the "Bloody Face" murders. "Bloody Face" kills people in both periods, present and 1964. Meanwhile, an [[exorcist]] is called to the asylum after a teenager's behavior goes beyond clinical help; he is possessed by a demon. The ritual gives Lana and Grace a chance to escape, but Lana, who feels betrayed that Grace wants Kit to go with them, foils the plan by getting Grace and Kit caught. The possessed teenager exposes Sister Jude's dark past that haunts her to this day, revealing that she used to be a sleazy bar singer who accidentally ran over a little girl while driving drunk back in 1949. The teenager dies after the demon exits his body during the exorcism and enters Sister Mary Eunice, making her faint.
|LineColor = 14131A
}}
{{Episode list/sublist |American Horror Story: Asylum
|EpisodeNumber = 15
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = [[Nor'easter (American Horror Story)|Nor'easter]]
|DirectedBy = [[Michael Uppendahl]]
|WrittenBy = [[Jennifer Salt]]
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|10|31}}
|ProdCode = 2ATS03
|Viewers = 2.47<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/01/wednesday-cable-ratings-american-horror-story-wins-night-south-park-duck-dynastyface-off-key-peele-south-beach-tow-more/155552/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121103015726/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/01/wednesday-cable-ratings-american-horror-story-wins-night-south-park-duck-dynastyface-off-key-peele-south-beach-tow-more/155552/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = November 3, 2012 |title = Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Wins Night, 'South Park', 'Duck Dynasty','Face Off', 'Key & Peele', 'South Beach Tow' & More |website = TV by the Numbers |last = Bibel |first = Sara |date = November 1, 2012 |access-date = November 1, 2012}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = In the present, Teresa and Leo are shot<!-- They're not dead; see History for link. --> by men in Bloody Face masks, who are then approached by another Bloody Face. In 1964, the possessed Sister Mary Eunice begins her corruption of the asylum. She kills a female patient, called the Mexican, who senses that she is possessed. Next, Sister Mary tries to seduce Dr. Arden and then drives Sister Jude nearly insane by hinting at her past transgressions. With the news announcement that a storm is approaching, Sister Jude decides to throw a "movie night" to calm the inmates. Grace, Kit, and Lana attempt to escape the prison during the storm but retreat after crossing paths with the cannibalistic Raspers who dwell in the woods surrounding the asylum. Shelley wishes to escape with them but is caught by Dr. Arden, who knocks her out and partially amputates her legs.
|LineColor = 14131A
}}
{{Episode list/sublist |American Horror Story: Asylum
|NumParts = 2
|EpisodeNumber_1 = 16
|EpisodeNumber_2 = 17
|EpisodeNumber2_1 = 4
|EpisodeNumber2_2 = 5
|Title = [[I Am Anne Frank (American Horror Story)|I Am Anne Frank]]
|DirectedBy_1 = Michael Uppendahl
|DirectedBy_2 = [[Alfonso Gomez-Rejon]]
|WrittenBy_1 = [[Jessica Sharzer]]
|WrittenBy_2 = [[Brad Falchuk]]
|OriginalAirDate_1 = {{Start date|2012|11|7}}
|OriginalAirDate_2 = {{Start date|2012|11|14}}
|ProdCode_1 = 2ATS04
|ProdCode_2 = 2ATS05
|Viewers_1 = 2.65<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/08/wednesday-cable-ratings-duck-dynasty-beats-american-horror-story-moonshiners-south-park-the-daily-show-more/156624/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121111222137/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/08/wednesday-cable-ratings-duck-dynasty-beats-american-horror-story-moonshiners-south-park-the-daily-show-more/156624/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = November 11, 2012 |title = Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Duck Dynasty' Beats 'American Horror Story' + 'Moonshiners', 'South Park', 'The Daily Show' & More |website = TV by the Numbers |last = Kondolojy |date = November 8, 2012 |access-date = November 9, 2012}}</ref>
|Viewers_2 = 2.78<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/15/wednesday-cable-ratings-duck-dynasty-wins-night-american-horror-story-moonshiners-the-daily-show-the-challenge-south-beach-tow-more/157744/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121118080049/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/15/wednesday-cable-ratings-duck-dynasty-wins-night-american-horror-story-moonshiners-the-daily-show-the-challenge-south-beach-tow-more/157744/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = November 18, 2012 |title = Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Duck Dynasty' Wins Night, 'American Horror Story', 'Moonshiners', 'The Daily Show', 'South Beach Tow' & More |last = Bibel |date = November 15, 2012 |website = TV by the Numbers |access-date = November 15, 2012}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = A woman identifying herself as [[Anne Frank]] is brought into the asylum. "Anne Frank" panics when she first sees Dr. Arden. She tells Sister Jude that Dr. Arden is Dr. Hans Grüper, a [[Nazi]] doctor. Sister Jude wonders how to bring about the reality of Dr. Arden. Meanwhile, Grace admits to Kit that she killed her father and stepmother for sexually abusing her. Kit wonders if he, in fact, really is the serial killer "Bloody Face" and is simply blocking what happened the night his wife disappeared. After [[aversion therapy]] fails with Lana, Dr. Thredson promises that he will get her out of Briarcliff by the end of the week. "Anne Frank" attacks Dr. Arden and stumbles onto Shelley, who begs Anne to kill her, as she is turning into a Rasper due to Dr. Arden's experiments.{{hr}}Sister Jude hires a famed Nazi hunter named Mr. Goodman to build a case against Dr. Arden. Dr. Thredson convinces Kit to make a startling confession. "Anne Frank's" husband shows up to take her home but returns her after she nearly suffocated their infant son. Dr. Arden offers to perform a lobotomy on her and is given permission. After Dr. Arden threatens Sister Jude, she sneaks out on a one-night stand for a few drinks at a bar. Dr. Thredson helps Lana escape but traps her in his home, revealing himself as the real Bloody Face. To prevent Jude from finding Shelley, Sister Mary Eunice takes Shelley to a schoolyard stairwell, where she is discovered.
|LineColor = 14131A
}}
{{Episode list/sublist |American Horror Story: Asylum
|EpisodeNumber = 18
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = [[The Origins of Monstrosity]]
|DirectedBy = [[David Semel]]
|WrittenBy = [[Ryan Murphy (producer)|Ryan Murphy]]
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|11|21}}
|ProdCode = 2ATS06
|Viewers = 1.89<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/26/wednesday-cable-ratingsmoonshiners-duck-dynasty-win-night-american-horror-story-restaurant-impossiblesouth-beach-tow-conan-more/158865/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121130223810/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/26/wednesday-cable-ratingsmoonshiners-duck-dynasty-win-night-american-horror-story-restaurant-impossiblesouth-beach-tow-conan-more/158865/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = November 30, 2012 |title = Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Moonshiners' & 'Duck Dynasty' Win Night, 'American Horror Story', 'Restaurant Impossible','South Beach Tow', 'Conan' & More |website = TV by the Numbers |last = Bibel |first = Sara |date = November 26, 2012 |access-date = November 27, 2012}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = To perform last rites, the Monsignor visits Shelley at the hospital and strangles her with [[rosary beads]]. A mysterious young girl becomes a new patient at Briarcliff after her mother believes she has killed someone. A flashback shows how Dr. Arden came to work at Briarcliff. Sister Jude finally gets evidence of Dr. Arden's horrific past but puts someone's life and her career at stake. Meanwhile, Dr. Arden, the Monsignor, and Sister Mary Eunice indirectly form an evil union. Elsewhere, Lana remains a hostage of Dr. Thredson/Bloody Face, who enlightens her about his past. In the present day, the police arrive at the asylum to discover three bodies, while it is also discovered that Bloody Face has captured Teresa.
|LineColor = 14131A
}}
{{Episode list/sublist |American Horror Story: Asylum
|EpisodeNumber = 19
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = [[Dark Cousin]]
|DirectedBy = [[Michael Rymer]]
|WrittenBy = Tim Minear
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|11|28}}
|ProdCode = 2ATS07
|Viewers = 2.27<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/29/wednesday-cable-ratingsduck-dynasty-wins-night-american-horror-story-moonshiners-the-challenge-hot-in-cleveland-south-beach-tow-more/159537/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121202062534/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/29/wednesday-cable-ratingsduck-dynasty-wins-night-american-horror-story-moonshiners-the-challenge-hot-in-cleveland-south-beach-tow-more/159537/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = December 2, 2012 |title = Wednesday Cable Ratings:'Duck Dynasty' Wins Night, 'American Horror Story', 'Moonshiners', 'The Challenge', 'Hot in Cleveland', 'South Beach Tow' & More |website = TV by the Numbers |last = Bibel |first = Sara |date = November 29, 2012 |access-date = November 29, 2012}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = The [[Personifications of death#In Abrahamic religions|Angel of Death]] appears at the asylum after several patients wish to die, one of which is Grace. The angel's visit does not sit well with Sister Mary Eunice, but both agree their work is not finished. Sister Jude plans to use the angel's services but first must attempt to make peace with the parents of the girl she hit years ago. Jude is stunned to learn the girl survived the accident. After Lana can get away from Dr. Thredson, she is injured in a freak car accident and taken back to Briarcliff. Also, Kit escapes custody to break Grace out of the asylum, but she is accidentally shot by the chief guard, Frank, and dies.
|LineColor = 14131A
}}
{{Episode list/sublist |American Horror Story: Asylum
|EpisodeNumber = 20
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = [[Unholy Night]]
|DirectedBy = [[Michael Lehmann]]
|WrittenBy = James Wong
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|12|5}}
|ProdCode = 2ATS08
|Viewers = 2.36<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/07/wednesday-cable-ratings-duck-dynasty-wins-night-american-horror-story-asylum-moonshiners-smurfs-christmas-carol-daily-show-more/160548/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121207234837/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/07/wednesday-cable-ratings-duck-dynasty-wins-night-american-horror-story-asylum-moonshiners-smurfs-christmas-carol-daily-show-more/160548/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = December 7, 2012 |title = Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Duck Dynasty' Wins Night + 'American Horror Story: Asylum', 'Moonshiners', 'Smurfs Christmas Carol', 'Daily Show' & More |website = TV by the Numbers |last = Kondolojy |first = Amanda |date = December 7, 2012 |access-date = December 7, 2012}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = On Christmas Eve in 1962, a man kills a Charity Santa and then a family while dressed in the stolen Santa costume, landing himself in Briarcliff. The next year, while celebrating Christmas at Briarcliff, he commits a murder and is locked away in solitary confinement by Sister Jude. In 1964, it is Christmastime once again and Sister Mary Eunice is leading the festivities. Sister Jude sneaks into the asylum and tries to kill Sister Mary Eunice, but is thwarted, and escorted from the building. Mary Eunice then frees Leigh, the patient who committed the Christmas murders, from his solitary confinement and allows him to join the Christmas celebration. Dr. Arden, growing more disturbed by Sister Mary Eunice's behavior, secretly calls on Sister Jude for help in saving her, possibly through an exorcism. Instead, when Sister Jude arrives at Briarcliff, Sister Mary Eunice locks her in her office with Leigh so he can seek revenge on her for putting him in solitary for so long and treating him inhumanely. This reveals Dr. Arden's efforts to be a ruse at Sister Eunice's behest. Sister Jude is beaten and thrown around, but she manages to stab Leigh and escape him. Meanwhile, Lana reunites with Kit making him privy to the fact that Dr. Thredson is Bloody Face, which proves him innocent. Dr. Thredson finds Lana at the asylum and tries to kill her, but Kit saves her and Thredson is left tied up, alive, on the floor. Dr. Arden also has a startling encounter in the Death Chute while disposing of Grace's body, which disappears.
|LineColor = 14131A
}}
{{Episode list/sublist |American Horror Story: Asylum
|EpisodeNumber = 21
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = [[The Coat Hanger]]
|DirectedBy = [[Jeremy Podeswa]]
|WrittenBy = Jennifer Salt
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|12|12}}
|ProdCode = 2ATS09
|Viewers = 2.22<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/13/wednesday-cable-ratings-moonshiners-amish-mafia-win-night-american-horror-story-south-beach-tow-shipping-wars-more/161534/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121216035322/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/13/wednesday-cable-ratings-moonshiners-amish-mafia-win-night-american-horror-story-south-beach-tow-shipping-wars-more/161534/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = December 16, 2012 |title = Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Moonshiners' & 'Amish Mafia' Win Night, 'American Horror Story', 'South Beach Tow', 'Shipping Wars' & More |website = TV by the Numbers |last = Bibel |first = Sara |date = December 13, 2012 |access-date = December 13, 2012}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = Modern-day Bloody Face, Johnny Morgan, attends a therapy session where he reveals himself to be the son of Dr. Thredson aka Bloody Face. He has been following in his father's footsteps, but without any medical training. His therapist is later found murdered. In 1964, Sister Mary Eunice reveals to Lana that she is pregnant by Dr. Thredson, but she remains in the asylum without being allowed an abortion. Sister Jude is officially removed from her position and admitted as a patient for stabbing Leigh and murdering several other people whose deaths she is falsely accused of by various people in power at Briarcliff including Monsignor Howard. Lana and Kit trick Dr. Thredson into confessing that he is Bloody Face by threatening to abort Lana's pregnancy. After revealing their ruse, Lana admits she already killed it with a coat hanger. Dr. Arden finds Kit and shares that he has seen the aliens Kit spoke of when they took Grace's body from him. Dr. Arden convinces him to almost die and force the aliens to return. Monsignor Howard leads a penitent Leigh to be baptized with disastrous results. Lana discovers that Dr. Thredson has escaped with the help of Sister Mary Eunice, who informs her that she is still pregnant- with a boy. When Dr. Arden kills Kit, he finds Grace alive in a cell; saved by the aliens and pregnant at full-term with Kit's baby. Monsignor Howard is later found crucified. His death wish summons the Angel of Death. 
|LineColor = 14131A
}}
{{Episode list/sublist |American Horror Story: Asylum
|EpisodeNumber = 22
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = [[The Name Game (American Horror Story)|The Name Game]]
|DirectedBy = Michael Lehmann
|WrittenBy = Jessica Sharzer
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2013|1|2}}
|ProdCode = 2ATS10
|Viewers = 2.21<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/04/wednesday-cable-ratings-sugar-bowl-wins-night-moonshiners-american-horror-story-amish-mafia-full-throttle-saloon-more/163571/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130107002105/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/04/wednesday-cable-ratings-sugar-bowl-wins-night-moonshiners-american-horror-story-amish-mafia-full-throttle-saloon-more/163571/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 7, 2013 |title = Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Sugar Bowl' Wins Night, 'Moonshiners', 'American Horror Story', 'Amish Mafia', 'Full Throttle Saloon' & More |website = TV by the Numbers |last = Kondolojy |first = Amanda |date = January 4, 2013 |access-date = January 5, 2013}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = Dr. Arden tells Kit that the aliens never came to save him so Dr. Arden brought him back from death, and withholds information about Grace. When Dr. Arden visits Grace, he finds that she is protected from his experiments by the aliens, and Pepper the "pinhead"; who  knows much more than she should. Monsignor Howard has apparently survived, encouraged by the Angel of Death's revelations about the Devil's presence at Briarcliff. Dr. Thredson seeks out Kit, and Lana, who he is keeping alive as the mother of their baby. Now a patient and known by her common name, Judy Martin, Sister Jude gets subjected to the asylum's inhumane torturous treatments and falls into insanity. Sister Mary Eunice rapes Monsignor Howard, now fully aware of her possession. He seeks Judy's advice, which is to kill Sister Mary Eunice. Dr. Arden puts an end to his "experiments", shooting each of the Raspers. While looking for Dr. Arden, Dr. Thredson witnesses Grace going into labor, and a boy is later born. Thredson reveals this to Kit, then looks for the incriminating tape, but Lana has moved it and is the only one who knows its whereabouts. Taking the fight to Sister Mary Eunice, Monsignor Howard eventually pushes her off the third floor, where the Angel of Death takes both her life and her possession. Saddened by her death, Dr. Arden kills himself in the same fire that cremates Sister Mary Eunice's body. Judy is visited by Mother Superior Claudia, and asks her to free Lana.
|LineColor = 14131A
}}
{{Episode list/sublist |American Horror Story: Asylum
|EpisodeNumber = 23
|EpisodeNumber2 = 11
|Title = [[Spilt Milk (American Horror Story)|Spilt Milk]]
|DirectedBy = Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
|WrittenBy = Brad Falchuk
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2013|1|9}}
|ProdCode = 2ATS11
|Viewers = 2.51<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/10/wednesday-cable-ratings-moonshiners-amish-mafia-win-night-american-horror-story-duck-dynasty-more/164849/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130113043429/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/10/wednesday-cable-ratings-moonshiners-amish-mafia-win-night-american-horror-story-duck-dynasty-more/164849/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 13, 2013 |title = Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Moonshiners' & 'Amish Mafia' Win Night + 'American Horror Story', 'Duck Dynasty' & More |website = TV by the Numbers |last = Kondolojy |first = Amanda |date = January 10, 2013 |access-date = January 11, 2013}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = Told by Judy of Lana's innocence, Mother Superior Claudia manages to help Lana escape from the asylum, who exposes the crimes at Briarcliff and those of Dr. Thredson. Lana later confronts Dr. Thredson/Bloody Face at his house and kills him. Kit, Grace, and their son are set free and reunited at Kit's home, where they find Alma with another baby. Judy promises Monsignor Howard that his and the asylum's downfall are soon to come. Lana tries to get Judy out of Briarcliff but fails because Monsignor Howard has faked her death.
|LineColor = 14131A
}}
{{Episode list/sublist |American Horror Story: Asylum
|EpisodeNumber = 24
|EpisodeNumber2 = 12
|Title = [[Continuum (American Horror Story)|Continuum]]
|DirectedBy = [[Craig Zisk]]
|WrittenBy = Ryan Murphy
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2013|1|16}}
|ProdCode = 2ATS12
|Viewers = 2.30<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/17/wednesday-cable-ratings-moonshiners-wins-night-amish-mafia-american-horror-story-workaholics-more/165630/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130120004745/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/17/wednesday-cable-ratings-moonshiners-wins-night-amish-mafia-american-horror-story-workaholics-more/165630/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 20, 2013 |title = Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Moonshiners' Wins Night, + 'Amish Mafia', 'American Horror Story', 'Workaholics', & More |website = TV by the Numbers |last = Kondolojy |first = Amanda |date = January 17, 2013 |access-date = January 17, 2013}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = Two years since his release from Briarcliff, Kit must deal with his polygamic life with Alma and Grace. Horrified of the aliens' abductions, Alma eventually becomes hysterical, chops Grace to death, and ends up being committed to Briarcliff. Sister Jude, now known as "Betty Drake", slips further into insanity at the asylum. In 1969, Lana publishes a book about her ordeal, even though it may not all be true. Alma dies in the asylum. In the present day, Johnny seeks out a copy of the book to continue his father's murderous "work".
|LineColor = 14131A
}}
{{Episode list/sublist |American Horror Story: Asylum
|EpisodeNumber = 25
|EpisodeNumber2 = 13
|Title = [[Madness Ends]]
|DirectedBy = Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
|WrittenBy = Tim Minear
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2013|1|23}}
|ProdCode = 2ATS13
|Viewers = 2.29<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/24/wednesday-cable-ratingsmoonshiners-wins-night-american-horror-storynecessary-roughnessworkaholics-top-chef-more/166438/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130126213334/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/24/wednesday-cable-ratingsmoonshiners-wins-night-american-horror-storynecessary-roughnessworkaholics-top-chef-more/166438/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 26, 2013 |title = Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Moonshiners' Wins Night, 'American Horror Story', 'Necessary Roughness', 'Workaholics', 'Top Chef' & More |website = TV by the Numbers |last = Bibel |first = Sara |date = January 24, 2013 |access-date = January 25, 2013}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = In the present day, Lana Winters, now older and a famous, [[coming out|out-and-proud]], television reporter, grants an interview in which she discusses her crusade to closing down Briarcliff and exposing Dr. Arden as a Nazi war criminal, which led to the Monsignor killing himself. It is later revealed that in 1970, Kit had secretly rescued Sister Jude from Briarcliff. Jude eventually becomes part of Kit's family, creating strong ties with his two children. Jude dies in Kit's home six months later from an apparent brain tumor. Kit develops pancreatic cancer and is taken away by the aliens, never to be seen again. Johnny confronts Lana after the interview by pointing a gun at her and reveals that he is her son from her one-time rape by Dr. Thredson. Lana ultimately convinces Johnny to put down the gun before shooting him herself. In the final scene, there is a flashback to the first episode, "[[Welcome to Briarcliff]]," in which Jude tries to convince Lana to give up her desires to interview the killer Bloody Face.
|LineColor = 14131A
}}
}}</onlyinclude>

==Production==

===Development===
{{Quote box |quoted = true |salign = right |width = 240px |quote = What you saw in the [season one] finale was the end of the Harmon house. The second season of the show will be a brand-new home or building to haunt. Just like this year, every season of this show will have a beginning, middle, and end. [The second season] won't be in L.A. It will obviously be in America but in a completely different locale.|source=– Executive producer [[Ryan Murphy (producer)|Ryan Murphy]] on ''American Horror Story''{{'s}} second season.<ref name="Mullins">{{cite web |url = http://www.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/american_horror_story__season_two_scoop/282480 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120107132831/http://www.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/american_horror_story__season_two_scoop/282480 |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 7, 2012 |title = American Horror Story Season Two Scoop: New House and (Mostly) New Faces |last = Mullins |first = Jenna |website = E! Online |date = December 22, 2011}}</ref>}}

In October 2011, the [[FX (TV channel)|FX Network]] renewed American Horror Story for a second season. In December 2011, series co-creator [[Ryan Murphy (producer)|Ryan Murphy]] announced his plans to change the characters and location for the second season.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/american-horror-story-will-scare-up-a-new-cast-and-new-haunted-home-for-season-2/ |title = 'American Horror Story' Will Scare Up a New Cast and New Haunted Home for Season 2 |last = Itzkoff |first = Dave |website = [[The New York Times]] |date = December 22, 2011}}</ref> 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. [The Harmons'] stories are done. People who are coming back will be playing entirely new characters," he announced.<ref name="Mullins"/>

In May 2012, Murphy revealed that the setting for the second season would be an [[Psychiatric hospital|institution for the criminally insane]] that [[Jessica Lange]]'s character operates in the 1960s,<ref name="S2Setting">{{cite web |url = https://www.vulture.com/2012/05/ryan-murphy-dissects-american-horror-story.html|title=Ryan Murphy Dissects Glee and American Horror Story, Addresses Fans and Critics |last = Martin |first = Denise |date = May 22, 2012 |website = Vulture |access-date = May 22, 2012}}</ref> called Briarcliff Manor and located on the East Coast.<ref name="ewinfo"/> In an interview with ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', Murphy spoke about originally wanting to set the season in 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 (TV series)|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."<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/01/17/american-horror-story-ryan-murphy-continuum/ |title = 'American Horror Story': Ryan Murphy teases next week's finale, 'There's only one person left standing' -- EXCLUSIVE |last = Stack |first = Tim |date = January 17, 2013 |magazine = [[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date = January 17, 2013}}</ref>

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."<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/american-horror-story-season-2-location-cast-313887 |title = 'American Horror Story': Season 2 Locale Revealed |website = The Hollywood Reporter |last = Goldberg |first = Lesley |date = April 18, 2012 |access-date = April 19, 2012}}</ref> 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."<ref name="S2">{{cite web |url = http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a394252/ryan-murphy-american-horror-story-season-two-completely-different.html |title = Ryan Murphy: 'American Horror Story season two completely different' |last = Fowler |first = Tara |date = July 19, 2012 |website = Digital Spy |access-date = July 20, 2012}}</ref>

{{quote box |quoted = true |align = left |width = 240px |quote = "To me, last year was a family drama. This is our version of a workplace drama." |source = – Co-creator [[Brad Falchuk]] on the second season<ref name="ewinfo">{{cite magazine |url = http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/08/29/this-weeks-cover-american-horror-story-asylum/ |title = This Week's Cover: An exclusive tour inside 'American Horror Story: Asylum' |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |date = August 29, 2012 |access-date = August 29, 2012}}</ref>}}

Murphy had also told ''[[TV Guide]]'' that there would not be any [[ghost]]s 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."<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.tvguide.com/News/Mega-Buzz-Glee-Bones-Spoilers-1050427.aspx |title = Mega Buzz: Glee's New Love Interest, Bones' "Torture" and Diaries' Transition |last = Bryant |first = Adam |author2 = Abrams, Natalie |date = July 24, 2012 |website = [[TV Guide]] |access-date = July 26, 2012}}</ref>

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."<ref name="SeasonName">{{cite web |url = https://deadline.com/2012/08/american-horror-story-sets-title-for-second-cycle-311394/ |title = 'American Horror Story' Sets Title For Second Cycle |last = Andreeva |first = Nellie |date = August 1, 2012 |website = [[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date = August 1, 2012}}</ref>

Previous consulting producer [[Tim Minear]] was promoted to executive producer and continued writing for the series, beginning with the season premiere.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/09/04/fx-premiere-dates-sons-of-anarchy-american-horror-story-its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-more/147202/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120907061328/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/09/04/fx-premiere-dates-sons-of-anarchy-american-horror-story-its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-more/147202/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = September 7, 2012 |title = FX Premiere Dates: 'Sons of Anarchy,' 'American Horror Story', 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' & More |first = Sara |last = Bibel |website = TV by the Numbers |date = September 4, 2012 |access-date = September 11, 2012}}</ref> 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."<ref name="Lange">{{cite magazine |url = http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/03/01/jessica-lange-will-return-to-american-horror-story-exclusive/?iid=rcfooter-tv-%27horror+story%27+scoop%3A+jessica+lange+returns |title = Jessica Lange will return to 'American Horror Story' – EXCLUSIVE |last = Rice |first = Lynette |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |date = March 1, 2012}}</ref> She portrayed Sister Jude, an apparent sadistic nun. [[Zachary Quinto]], who had a recurring role as [[Chad Warwick|Chad]] in the first season, was confirmed as one of the leads in March 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/american-horror-story-returning-zachary-quinto-jessica-lange-296538 |title = Zachary Quinto Returning to FX's 'American Horror Story' |last = Goldberg |first = Lesley |website = The Hollywood Reporter |date = March 2, 2012}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvline.com/2012/08/14/spoilers-private-practice-gossip-girl-himym/ |title = Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Private Practice, Gossip Girl, Vamp Diaries, HIMYM, Horror Story and More |first = Michael |last = Ausiello |website = [[TVLine]] |date = August 14, 2012 |access-date = August 15, 2012}}</ref> At the [[PaleyFest]] 2012, [[Evan Peters]], [[Sarah Paulson]], and [[Lily Rabe]] were confirmed to return as main cast members for the second season.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/american_horror_story_season_two_scoop/298039 |title = American Horror Story Season Two Scoop: Three More Castmembers Confirmed to Return! |last = Bricker |first = Tierney |website = E! Online |date = March 2, 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120629012023/http://www.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/american_horror_story_season_two_scoop/298039 |archive-date = June 29, 2012}}</ref> 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 ([[Britne Oldford]]), but he claims aliens abducted her. Murphy had stated that Peters, "who was last season's ultimate badass bad boy," would be the hero of the show this season.<ref name="S2Setting"/>

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]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/03/20/american-horror-story-adam-levine/ |title = 'American Horror Story' scoop: 'The Voice' coach Adam Levine in negotiations for season 2 – EXCLUSIVE |last = Stack |first = Tim |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |date = March 20, 2012}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.eonline.com/news/324901/spoiler-chat-gossip-girl-gets-a-new-french-hottie-plus-girls-american-horror-story-and-more |title = News/Spoiler Chat: Gossip Girl Gets a New French Hottie! Plus, Girls, American Horror Story and More |date = June 21, 2012 |website = E! Online |access-date = July 26, 2012}}</ref> [[Jenna Dewan|Jenna Dewan-Tatum]] played his wife, Teresa.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/07/26/american-horror-story-scoop-jenna-dewan-adam-levine-lover-exclusive/ |title = 'American Horror Story' scoop: Jenna Dewan set to get freaky with Adam Levine in season two – EXCLUSIVE |last = Stack |first = Tim |date = July 26, 2012 |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |access-date = July 26, 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvline.com/2012/04/11/american-horror-story-lizzie-brochere/ |title = Exclusive: American Horror Story Casts French Actress in Major (and Mysterious) Season 2 Role |last = Ausiello |first = Michael |date = April 11, 2012 |website = [[TVLine]] |access-date = April 11, 2012}}</ref> In May 2012, [[James Cromwell]] signed on to co-star as Dr. Arthur Arden, a man who works in the asylum,<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/05/07/american-horror-story-james-cromwell/ |title = 'American Horror Story' scoop: James Cromwell in talks for season 2 |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |last = Stack |first = Tim |date = May 7, 2012 |access-date = May 20, 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/04/26/american-horror-story-chloe-sevigny-exclusive/ |title = 'American Horror Story' scoop: Chloe Sevigny in negotiations for season 2 – EXCLUSIVE |last = Stack |first = Tim |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |date = April 26, 2012 |access-date = August 8, 2012}}</ref>

In June 2012, [[Joseph Fiennes]] joined the main cast as Monsignor Timothy Howard, a possible love interest for Jessica Lange's Sister Jude.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/06/11/american-horror-story-scoop-joseph-fiennes-season-two-exclusive/ |title = 'American Horror Story' scoop: Joseph Fiennes in talks for season 2 – EXCLUSIVE |last = Stack |first = Tim |date = June 11, 2012 |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |access-date = June 12, 2012}}</ref> 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";<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/american_horror_story_scoop_which_cw/326931 |title = American Horror Story Scoop: Which CW Stud Is Joining Season Two? |last = Mullins |first = Jenna |date = June 29, 2012 |website = E! Online |access-date = June 29, 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120701225252/http://www.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/american_horror_story_scoop_which_cw/326931 |archive-date = July 1, 2012}}</ref> however, Zylka was later replaced by an unmentioned actor, due to his reluctance to shave his head for the role.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/09/american-horror-story-season-2-scoop-chris-zylka-will-no-longer-appear.html |title = 'American Horror Story' Season 2 scoop: Chris Zylka will no longer appear |first = Carina |last = Adly MacKenzie |website = [[Zap2it]] |date = September 6, 2012 |access-date = September 7, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131205103520/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/09/american-horror-story-season-2-scoop-chris-zylka-will-no-longer-appear.html |archive-date = 2013-12-05 |url-status = dead}}</ref> Britne Oldford was cast in the recurring role of Alma, Peters' character's supposed dead/missing wife.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvline.com/2012/06/15/american-horror-story-britne-oldford-season-2/ |title = American Horror Story Exclusive: Skins Star Britne Oldford Joins Season 2 Cast |last = Ausiello |first = Michael |date = June 15, 2012 |website = [[TVLine]] |access-date = July 5, 2012 |archive-date = March 22, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140322014920/http://tvline.com/2012/06/15/american-horror-story-britne-oldford-season-2/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> In July 2012, [[Mark Consuelos]] was cast as a patient named Spivey, who was described as a degenerate bully.<ref name="Consuelos">{{cite magazine |url = http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/07/16/american-horror-story-mark-consuelos/ |title = 'American Horror Story' scoop: Mark Consuelos joins season 2 – EXCLUSIVE |last = Stack |first = Tim |date = July 16, 2012 |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |access-date = July 17, 2012}}</ref> Also in July, [[Clea DuVall]] was cast as Wendy, a school teacher and Lana's girlfriend,<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/american-horror-story-season-2-clea-duvall-352482 |title = 'American Horror Story' Locks Up Clea Duvall |last = Goldberg |first = Lesley |date = July 20, 2012 |website = The Hollywood Reporter |access-date = July 20, 2012}}</ref> and [[Franka Potente]] was cast in an unspecified role, which was later revealed to be Anne Frank / Charlotte Brown.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/07/27/american-horror-story-scoop-franka-potente/ |title = 'American Horror Story' scoop: Franka Potente joins season two cast |last = Mullins |first = Jenna |date = July 28, 2012 |website = E! Online |access-date = July 28, 2012}}</ref>

In August 2012, Blake Sheldon was cast in the dual role of Devon and Cooper – both described as "tall, thin and psychopathic." Ultimately Sheldon would portray only Cooper.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.couchtuner.video/watch/ongoing-tv-shows/american-horror-story-online/ |title = 'Watch American Horror Story' Season}}</ref> ''Murder House'' actress [[Frances Conroy]] guest-starred as Shachath, the Angel of Death. [[Eric Stonestreet]] was scheduled to guest star this season as a killer, but his appearance never came to fruition.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvline.com/2012/09/23/american-horror-story-asylum-eric-stonestreet/ |title = Exclusive: Eric Stonestreet Scares Up American Horror Story Encore |first1 = Matt |first2 = Michael |last1 = Webb Mitovich |last2 = Ausiello |website = TVLine |date = September 23, 2012 |access-date = September 24, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Margolis]] recurred as Sam Goodwin, while [[David Chisum]] and [[Amy Farrington]] guest-starred as a caring husband and a troubled mother, respectively.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/09/28/breaking-bad-american-horror-story/ |title = 'Breaking Bad' villain joins 'American Horror Story' – EXCLUSIVE |first = James |last = Hibberd |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |date = September 28, 2012 |access-date = October 1, 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/12/06/american-horror-story-ryan-murphy-unholy-night-exclusive/ |title = 'American Horror Story': Ryan Murphy on Ian McShane's psycho Santa and the return of Pepper -- EXCLUSIVE |first = Tim |last = Stack |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |date = December 6, 2012 |access-date = December 9, 2012}}</ref> [[Dylan McDermott]] appeared during the second half of the season as Johnny Morgan, the modern-day Bloody Face.

===Filming===
[[Principal photography]] for the second season began on July 17, 2012.<ref name="Lange"/> The exteriors for the second season were filmed in [[Hidden Valley, Ventura County, California]], a rural area outside [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.eonline.com/news/333368/american-horror-story-casting-scoop-jenna-dewan-to-be-lovers-with-adam-levine |title = American Horror Story Casting Scoop: Jenna Dewan to Be Lovers With Adam Levine |last = Dos Santos |first = Kristin |date = July 26, 2012 |website = E! Online |access-date = July 27, 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120728182516/http://www.eonline.com/news/333368/american-horror-story-casting-scoop-jenna-dewan-to-be-lovers-with-adam-levine |archive-date = July 28, 2012}}</ref> The exterior filming of Briarcliff was done at the [[Old Orange County Courthouse (California)|Old Orange County Courthouse]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.ocregister.com/articles/courthouse-367181-crews-asylum.html |title = Action! Old Courthouse stars in 'American Horror Story' |last = Gonzales |first = Ron |date = August 5, 2012 |website = [[The Orange County Register]] |access-date = December 8, 2012}}</ref> Series production designer Mark Worthington stated, "It's referred to as [[Richardsonian Romanesque|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."<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://popstyle.ew.com/2012/12/12/american-horror-story-asylum-briarcliff-manor-design/ |title = Best of 2012 (Behind the Scenes): 'American Horror Story: Asylum' production designer Mark Worthington on creepy Briarcliff Manor |last = Schou |first = Solveg |date = December 12, 2012 |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |access-date = December 13, 2012}}</ref>

==Reception==

===Critical response===
''American Horror Story: Asylum'' has received positive reviews from critics. It scored 65 out of 100 on [[Metacritic]] based on 23 reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.metacritic.com/tv/american-horror-story/season-2 |title = American Horror Story: Season 2 |website = Metacritic |access-date = October 19, 2012}}</ref> The review aggregation website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported an 84% approval rating with an average rating of 7.27/10 based on 220 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."<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/american-horror-story/s02/ |title = American Horror Story: Asylum (2012–2013) |website = Rotten Tomatoes |publisher = [[Fandango Media]] |access-date = May 19, 2019}}</ref> [[James Poniewozik]], from ''[[Time (magazine)|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."<ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://entertainment.time.com/2012/10/17/tv-tonight-american-horror-story-asylum/ |title = TV Tonight: American Horror Story: Asylum |magazine = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |last = Poniewozik |first = James |access-date = October 19, 2020 |date = October 17, 2012}}</ref>

Maureen Ryan of ''[[The Huffington Post]]'' said, "It's to the credit of ''Asylum''{{'s}} writers, directors and cast that the emotional pain of the characters often feels as real as their uncertainty and terror."<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.huffingtonpost.com/maureen-ryan/american-horror-story-asylum-review_b_1970917.html |title = 'American Horror Story: Asylum' Review: Scary, Freaky And Surprisingly Addictive |last = Ryan |first = Maureen |website = The Huffington Post |access-date = October 19, 2012 |date = October 16, 2012}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/american-horror-story-asylum-not-much-of-a-story-1.4117274 |title = 'American Horror Story: Asylum' not much of a story |website = [[Newsday]] |last = Gay |first = Verne |access-date = October 19, 2012 |date = October 15, 2012 |archive-date = November 14, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201114224913/https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/american-horror-story-asylum-not-much-of-a-story-1.4117274 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Linda Stasi of the ''[[New York Post]]'' thought this season was "over the top", stating, "I need to enter [an asylum] myself after two hours of this craziness."<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/trancing_with_the_stars_jzKgjV6PXXtkOJcW2rAbEL |title = 'Asylum' is a 'Horror' |website = New York Post |last = Stasi |first = Linda |access-date = October 19, 2012 |date = October 17, 2012}}</ref>

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 [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrials]] is no more surprising than spotting a [[Toyota Prius|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 [[Ilse Koch|turned it into a lamp]] to illuminate our collectively twisted psyche and voracious appetite for distraction."<ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://www.ew.com/article/2012/12/21/this-was-year-tv-went-insane |title = This was the year that... TV went insane |last = Cagle |first = Jess |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |date = December 21, 2012 |access-date = August 31, 2015}}</ref>
{{Television Rotten Tomatoes scores
|title = American Horror Story
|label = Season 2
|year = 2012–13
|color = #030303
|ref = <ref>{{cite web |title =American Horror Story: Asylum |url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/american_horror_story/s02/ |website = Rotten Tomatoes |publisher = [[Fandango Media]] |access-date = November 24, 2016}}</ref> 
|100 |100 |91 |91 |100 |91 |90 |88 |100 |100 |88 |69 |88}}

==Accolades==
{{main |List of awards and nominations received by American Horror Story}}
In its second season, ''American Horror Story: Asylum'' was nominated for 89 awards and won 28.
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Association
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
|-
|rowspan=8|2012
|rowspan=2|[[17th Satellite Awards]]
|[[Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or TV Film]]
|[[Evan Peters]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Satellite Award for Best Television Series – Genre|Best TV Series – Genre]]
|rowspan=2|''American Horror Story: Asylum''
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=2|[[IGN]]'s Best of 2012: TV<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2012/TV|title=TV|access-date=August 30, 2015|website=[[IGN]]|date=November 30, 2012 }}</ref>
|Best Sci-Fi/Horror Series
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best TV Actress
|rowspan=2|[[Jessica Lange]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=4|[[Dorian Awards#2012|4th Dorian Awards]]<ref name="Past Winners">{{cite web |url = http://www.galeca.com/pastwinners.html |title = Past Winners |access-date = August 31, 2015 |website = [[Dorian Awards]] |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165511/http://www.galeca.com/pastwinners.html |archive-date = March 3, 2016}}</ref>
|TV Performance of the Year
|{{won}}
|-
|TV Drama of the Year
|rowspan=4|''American Horror Story: Asylum''
|{{won}}
|-
|LGBT-Themed TV Show of the Year
|{{nom}}
|-
|Campy TV Show of the Year
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=77|2013
|rowspan=6|[[3rd Critics' Choice Television Awards|3rd Critics' Choice TV Awards]]
|[[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Movie/Miniseries|Best Movie or Miniseries]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Movie/Miniseries Actress|Best Actress in a Movie or Miniseries]]
|Jessica Lange
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Movie/Miniseries Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries]]
|[[Zachary Quinto]]
|{{won}}
|-
|[[James Cromwell]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Movie/Miniseries Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries]]
|[[Sarah Paulson]]
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Lily Rabe]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[19th Screen Actors Guild Awards]]
|[[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series]]
|Jessica Lange
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[24th GLAAD Media Awards]]
|Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series
|rowspan=3|''American Horror Story: Asylum''
|{{won}}
|-
|[[29th TCA Awards]]
|Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Mini-Series, and Specials
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=3|[[39th Saturn Awards]]
|[[Saturn Award for Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series|Best Syndicated/Cable TV Series]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television|Best Actress on TV]]
|Sarah Paulson
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television|Best Supporting Actress on TV]]
|rowspan=2|Jessica Lange
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[70th Golden Globe Awards]]
|[[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film|Best Actress – Miniseries or TV Film]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[65th Directors Guild of America Awards|65th DGA Awards]]
|[[Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Television Film|Outstanding Directing – Miniseries or TV Film]]
|[[Michael Rymer]] {{small |(for "[[Dark Cousin]]")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[American Film Institute Awards 2012]]
|TV Programs of the Year
|''American Horror Story: Asylum''
|{{won}}<!-- already selected to receive award in Jan 2013 -->
|-
|[[Art Directors Guild Awards 2012|17th ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards]]
|TV movie or Miniseries
|Mark Worthington {{small |(for "[[I Am Anne Frank (American Horror Story)|I Am Anne Frank: Part 2]]")}}
|{{won}}
|-
|60th [[Motion Picture Sound Editors|MPSE Golden Reel Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |title = 2013 Golden Reel Award Winners & Nominees: Television |url = http://mpse.info/golden-reel-awards/past-awards/2013-awards/2013-television/ |archive-url = https://archive.today/20140208200834/http://mpse.info/golden-reel-awards/past-awards/2013-awards/2013-television/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = February 8, 2014 |at = mpse.info |website = [[Motion Picture Sound Editors]] |access-date = February 8, 2014}}</ref>
|Best Sound Editing: Short Form Sound Effects and Foley in TV
|Episode: "[[Welcome to Briarcliff]]"
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=20|17th Online Film & TV Association Awards<ref>{{cite web |url = http://ofta.cinemasight.com/Awards/Television/1213.html |title = TV Awards – 2012/2013 (17th Awards) |website = Online Film & Television Association |at = ofta.cinemasight.com |access-date = August 22, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141006100206/http://ofta.cinemasight.com/Awards/Television/1213.html |archive-date = October 6, 2014 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
|Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
|Jessica Lange
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=3|Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
|Zachary Quinto
|{{won}}
|-
|James Cromwell
|{{nom}}
|-
|Evan Peters
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=2|Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
|Sarah Paulson
|{{won}}
|-
|Lily Rabe
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Motion Picture or Miniseries
|rowspan=15|''American Horror Story: Asylum''
|{{won}}
|-
|Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
|{{won}}
|-
|Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Writing of a Motion Picture or Miniseries
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Music in a Non-Series
|{{won}}
|-
|Best Editing in a Non-Series
|{{won}}
|-
|Best Cinematography in a Non-Series
|{{won}}
|-
|Best Production Design in a Non-Series
|{{won}}
|-
|Best Costume Design in a Non-Series
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Makeup/Hairstyling in a Non-Series
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Sound in a Non-Series
|{{won}}
|-
|Best Visual Effects in a Non-Series
|{{won}}
|-
|Best New Theme Song in a Non-Series
|{{won}}
|-
|Best New Titles Sequence in a Non-Series
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=5|[[65th Primetime Emmy Awards]]
|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series|Outstanding Limited/Anthology or Movie]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series or Movie]]
|Jessica Lange
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited/ Anthology Series or Movie]]
|James Cromwell
|{{won}}
|-
|Zachary Quinto
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series or Movie]]
|Sarah Paulson
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=12|[[65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards]]
|rowspan=2|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie|Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie]]
|Mark Worthington, Andrew Murdock, Ellen Brill {{small |(for "I Am Anne Frank: Part 2")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|Mark Worthington, Edward L. Rubin, Ellen Brill {{small |(for "Welcome to Briarcliff")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie|Outstanding Casting for a Limited/Anthology Series or Movie]]
|[[Robert J. Ulrich (casting director)|Robert J. Ulrich]], Eric Dawson
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special|Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special]]
|Chrisi Karvonides, Conan Castro {{small |(for "[[Madness Ends]]")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie
|Michael Goi {{small |(for "I Am Anne Frank: Part 2")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or Movie
|Fabienne Bouville {{small |(for "[[Nor'easter (American Horror Story)|Nor'easter]]")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or Movie
|Monte C. Haught, Janis Clark, Stacey K. Black, Natalie Driscoll, Michelle Ceglia
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design|Outstanding Main Title Design]]
|[[Ryan Murphy (producer)|Ryan Murphy]], [[Kyle Cooper]], Juan Ruiz Anchia, Kate Berry
|{{nom}}
|-
|Outstanding Make-up for a Miniseries or Movie
|Eryn Krueger Mekash, Kim Ayers, [[Silvina Knight]], John Elliot
|{{nom}}
|-
|Outstanding Prosthetic Make-up for a Series, Miniseries, Movie, or Special
|Eryn Krueger Mekash, Mike Mekash, Hiroshi Yada, Christopher Nelson, Kim Ayers, Silvina Knight, Christien Tinsley, Jason Hamer
|{{nom}}
|-
|Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special
|Gary Megregian, Steve M. Stuhr, Jason Krane, Christian Buenaventura, Timothy A. Cleveland, David Klotz, Andrew Dawson, Noel Vought {{small |(for "Welcome to Briarcliff")}}
|{{won}}
|-
|Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or Movie
|Sean Rush, [[Joe Earle]], Doug Andham {{small |(for "Welcome to Briarcliff")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=10|2nd [[Pan-American Association of Film & Television Journalists|PAAFTJ TV Awards]]*<ref>{{cite web |url = https://paaftj.wordpress.com/2013/06/18/2nd-paaftj-television-awards-nominations-announced-arrested-development-leads/ |title = 2nd PAAFTJ Television Awards nominations announced; ''"Arrested Development"'' leads |at = paaftj.wordpress.com |website = [[Pan-American Association of Film & Television Journalists]] |date = June 18, 2013 |access-date = August 30, 2015}}</ref>
|Best Miniseries or TV Movie
|''American Horror Story: Asylum''
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Lead Actress in Miniseries or TV Movie
|Jessica Lange
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=2|Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie
|James Cromwell
|{{nom}}
|-
|Zachary Quinto
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie
|Sarah Paulson
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Cast in a Miniseries or TV Movie
|Zachary Quinto, [[Joseph Fiennes]], Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, [[Lizzie Brocheré]], James Cromwell, Jessica Lange
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Directing for a Miniseries or TV Movie
|Michael Rymer {{small |(for "Dark Cousin")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Writing for a Miniseries or TV Movie
|[[Brad Falchuk]] {{small |(for "I Am Anne Frank: Part 2")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Artistic/Visual Achievement in a Miniseries or TV Movie
|Michael Goi {{small |(cinematography)}}, Mark Worthington {{small |(production design)}}, Andrew Murdock {{small |(art direction)}}, Elen Brill {{small |(set decoration)}}, Monte C. Haught {{small |(hair)}}, [[Lou Eyrich]] {{small |(costumes)}} {{small |(for "I Am Anne Frank: Part 2")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Technical Achievement in a Miniseries or TV Movie
|Stewart Schill {{small |(film editing)}}, Jason Piccioni {{small |(visual effects)}}, John Bauman {{small |(sound mixing)}} {{small |(for "Madness Ends")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Bram Stoker Award]] 2012<ref>{{cite web |url = http://horror.org/the-2012-bram-stoker-awards-final-ballot/ |title = The 2012 Bram Stoker Awards® Final Ballot |date = February 23, 2013 |at = horror.org |website = [[Horror Writers Association]] |access-date = August 31, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://horror.org/horror-writers-association-celebrates-2012-bram-stoker-award-winners/ |title = 2012 Bram Stoker Award® Winners |date = July 16, 2013 |at = horror.org |website = [[Horror Writers Association]] |access-date = August 31, 2015}}</ref>
|Superior Achievement in a Screenplay
|[[Tim Minear]] {{small |(for "Dark Cousin")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|27th [[American Society of Cinematographers|ASC Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.theasc.com/asc_news/awards/awards_history.php |title = ASC Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography |at = theasc.com |website = [[American Society of Cinematographers]] |access-date = August 31, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101112231205/http://www.theasc.com/asc_news/awards/awards_history.php |archive-date = November 12, 2010}}</ref>
|Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography: Motion Picture/Miniseries
| Michael Goi, ASC {{small |(for "I Am Anne Frank: Part 2")}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=2|[[BMI Award|BMI Film & TV Awards]] 2013<ref>{{cite news |title = BMI Film & TV Awards |url = https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000106/2013?ref_=ttawd_ev_25 |website = [[Internet Movie Database|IMDb]] |access-date = May 26, 2015}}</ref>
|rowspan=2|BMI Cable Award
|Charlie Clouser
|{{won}}
|-
|Cesar Davila-Irizarry
|{{won}}
|-
|29th [[Casting Society of America|Artios Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios/2013 |at = castingsociety.com |title = 2013 ARTIOS AWARDS WINNERS |website = [[Casting Society of America]] |date = November 18, 2013 |access-date = August 31, 2015}}</ref>
|TV movie or Miniseries
|[[Robert J. Ulrich (casting director)|Robert J. Ulrich]], Eric Dawson, Carol Kritzer, Eric Souliere {{small |(Associate)}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|49th [[Cinema Audio Society Awards|CAS Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url = http://cinemaaudiosociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/49thCASNOMS1-7-12-6pm.pdf |title = NOMINATIONS FOR THE 49TH CAS AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING FOR 2012 |at = cinemaaudiosociety.org |website = [[Cinema Audio Society]] |access-date = August 31, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://cinemaaudiosociety.org/?p=1116 |title = ''"Les Misérables"'' Magnifique at CAS Awards, ''"Brave"'' Takes First CAS Motion Picture – Animated |at = cinemaaudiosociety.org |website = [[Cinema Audio Society]] |date = February 18, 2013 |access-date = August 31, 2015}}</ref>
|Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing – TV Movie or Miniseries
|Sean Rush {{small |(Production Mixer)}}<br>Joe Earle, CAS {{small |(Re-recording Mixer)}}<br>Doug Andham, CAS {{small |(Re-recording Mixer)}}<br>[[James S. Levine]] {{small |(Scoring Mixer)}}<br>Judah Getz {{small |(ADR Mixer)}}<br>Kyle Billingsley {{small |(Foley Mixer)}}<br>{{small |(for "Welcome to Briarcliff")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[15th Costume Designers Guild Awards|15th CDG Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url = http://costumedesignersguild.com/awards/awards-archive/awards2013/ |title = Winners of the 15th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards |website = [[Costume Designers Guild]] |access-date = August 31, 2015 |archive-date = March 4, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083123/http://costumedesignersguild.com/awards/awards-archive/awards2013/ |url-status = dead }}</ref>
|[[Costume Designers Guild Award for Outstanding Made for Television Movie or Miniseries|Outstanding Made for Television Movie or Miniseries]]
|Lou Eyrich
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Dorian Awards#2013|5th Dorian Awards]]<ref name="Past Winners"/>
|TV Musical Performance of the Year
|Jessica Lange and cast {{small |(for "[[The Name Game]]")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|8th [[Hollywood Post Alliance|HPA Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url = http://hollywoodpostalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/HPAA_2013_Nominees_090413.pdf |title = 2013 HPA Awards Announce Craft Category Nominees and Special Award Winners |at = hollywoodpostalliance.org |website = [[Hollywood Post Alliance]] |date = September 4, 2013 |access-date = August 31, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160131183415/http://hollywoodpostalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/HPAA_2013_Nominees_090413.pdf |archive-date = January 31, 2016 |url-status = usurped}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://hollywoodpostalliance.org/?p=7988 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714181008/http://hollywoodpostalliance.org/?p=7988 |url-status = usurped |archive-date = July 14, 2014 |title = 2013 HOLLYWOOD POST ALLIANCE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED |at = hollywoodpostalliance.org |website = [[Hollywood Post Alliance]] |last = Ma |first = Max |date = November 7, 2013 |access-date = August 31, 2015}}</ref>
|Outstanding Editing – TV
|Joe Leonard and Bradley Buecker, A.C.E. {{small |(for "Welcome To Briarcliff")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Key Art Awards]] 2013<ref>{{cite news |title = Key Art Awards |url = https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000385/2013?ref_=ttawd_ev_56 |website = [[Internet Movie Database|IMDb]] |access-date = May 26, 2015}}</ref>
|Best Engagement
|''American Horror Story: Asylum'' {{small |(for its Blu-Ray/DVD commercial, "AHS Asylum: Get Committed")}}
|{{won}}
|-
|17th PRISM Awards<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.prismawards.com/winners-nominees/2013-2/winners/ |title = Winners & Nominees 2013 |at = prismawards.com |website = PRISM Awards |access-date = August 31, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924081931/http://www.prismawards.com/winners-nominees/2013-2/winners/ |archive-date = September 24, 2015 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
|Drama Series Multi-Episode Storyline – Substance Use
|Episodes: "Nor'easter", "I Am Anne Frank: Part 2", "Dark Cousin"
|{{won}}
|-
|[[TV Guide Award]]s 2013<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000664/2013 |title = TV Guide Awards |access-date = August 31, 2015 |website = [[Internet Movie Database|IMDb]]}}</ref>
|Favorite Villain
|Zachary Quinto {{small |(as [[Dr. Oliver Thredson|Bloody Face]])}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Women's Image Network Awards]] 2013<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0002887/2013?ref_=ttawd_ev_86 |title = Women's Image Network Awards |access-date = August 31, 2015 |website = [[Internet Movie Database|IMDb]]}}</ref>
|Outstanding Actress Made for TV Movie/Miniseries
|Jessica Lange
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=4|2014
|[[Society of Operating Cameramen|Society of Camera Operators Awards]] 2014<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nominations-announced-for-annual-society-of-camera-operators-awards-for-camera-operator-of-the-year----feature-film-and-television-239418461.html |title = Nominations Announced for Annual Society of Camera Operators Awards for Camera Operator of the Year -- Feature Film and Television |date = January 9, 2014 |website = PR Newswire |access-date = January 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0001408/2014 |title = Society of Camera Operators |access-date = August 31, 2015 |website = [[Internet Movie Database|IMDb]]}}</ref>
|Camera Operator of the Year – TV
|James Reid, SOC
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Producers Guild of America Awards 2013|25th PGA Awards]]
|Outstanding Producer of Long-Form TV
|Brad Buecker, [[Dante Di Loreto]], Brad Falchuk, [[Alexis Martin Woodall]], Tim Minear, Ryan Murphy, [[Jennifer Salt]], Chip Vucelich, [[James Wong (producer)|James Wong]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Bram Stoker Award]] 2013<ref>{{cite web |url = http://horror.org/the-2013-bram-stoker-awards-final-ballot/ |title = The 2013 Bram Stoker Awards® Final Ballot |date = February 23, 2014 |at = horror.org |website = [[Horror Writers Association]] |access-date = August 31, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.horror.org/stokers2014/stokers.html |title = The 2013 Bram Stoker Awards® Winners |at = horror.org |website = [[Horror Writers Association]] |access-date = August 31, 2015 |archive-date = April 19, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160419094638/http://www.horror.org/stokers2014/stokers.html |url-status = dead }}</ref>
|Superior Achievement in a Screenplay
|Brad Falchuk {{small |(for "[[Spilt Milk (American Horror Story)|Spilt Milk]]")}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[American Cinema Editors Awards 2014|64th ACE Eddie Awards]]
|Best Edited Miniseries or Motion Picture for TV
|Stewart Schill, A.C.E. {{small |(for "[[The Name Game (American Horror Story)|The Name Game]]")}}
|{{nom}}
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki> The Pan-American Association of Film & Television Journalists never announced the winners.

===Ratings===
{{see also |American Horror Story#Ratings}}
The first episode of the season gained a 2.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49 and garnered 3.85 million viewers,<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/18/wednesday-cable-ratings-american-horror-story-wins-night-duck-dynasty-south-park-the-daily-show-south-beach-tow-baseball-more/153614/ |title = Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Wins Night, 'Duck Dynasty', 'South Park', 'The Daily Show', Baseball & More |website = TV by the Numbers |last = Bibel |first = Sara |access-date = October 19, 2012 |date = October 18, 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150908211052/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/18/wednesday-cable-ratings-american-horror-story-wins-night-duck-dynasty-south-park-the-daily-show-south-beach-tow-baseball-more/153614/ |archive-date = September 8, 2015}}</ref> marking the highest numbers for the series and the highest numbers for the night's cable competition.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/18/american-horror-story-asylum-premieres-to-insane-ratings/153845/ |title = 'American Horror Story: Asylum' Premieres to Insane Ratings |website = TV by the Numbers |last = Bibel |access-date = October 19, 2012 |date = October 18, 2012 |url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150629152523/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/18/american-horror-story-asylum-premieres-to-insane-ratings/153845/ |archive-date = June 29, 2015}}</ref>

== Home media ==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|- style="background:#14131A;"
| colspan="3" | <span style="color:white;"> '''''American Horror Story: Asylum – The Complete Second Season'''''</span>
|-  style="vertical-align:top; text-align:center;"
|  style="width:400px;" colspan="2"| '''Set Details'''
|  style="width:400px; " colspan="2"| '''Special Features'''
|- valign="top"
| colspan="2"  style="text-align:left; width:400px;"|
* 13 Episodes
* 4 Disc Set (DVD)
* 3 Disc Set (BD)
* English 5.1 Dolby Digital
* Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
* Runtime: 554 Minutes
| colspan="3"  style="text-align:left; width:400px;"|
* The Orderly
* What is American Horror Story: Asylum? 
* Welcome to Briarcliff Manor
* The Creatures
* Deleted Scenes 
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| '''Release Dates'''
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| [[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region 1]]
|style="text-align:center;"| [[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region 2]]
|style="text-align:center;"| [[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region 4]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
|-
| colspan="1"| {{Start date|2013|10|08}}<ref name="DVD1">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/American-Horror-Story-Kathy-Bates/dp/B00ADQPB50/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=American+horror+story+asylum+dvd&qid=1625830132&sr=8-1|title=American Horror Story: Asylum |website=Amazon.com|date=July 9, 2021}}</ref>
| colspan="1"| {{Start date|2013|10|21}}<ref name="DVD2">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/American-Horror-Story-Season-DVD/dp/B005MIYKMO/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=american+horror+story+season+1+dvd&qid=1625825873&sr=8-1|title=American Horror Story - Season 2 (Asylum) [DVD]|website=Amazon.co.uk|date=15 October 2012 |access-date=July 9, 2021}}</ref>
| colspan="1"| {{Start date|2013|11|15}}<ref name="DVD4">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com.mx/Historia-Horror-Americana-Temporada-2/dp/B00V8SE3CE/ref=sr_1_59?__mk_es_MX=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&dchild=1&keywords=american+horror+story+dvd&qid=1625830602&sr=8-59|title=Historia de Horror Americana, Temporada 2 |website=Amazon.co.mx|access-date=July 9, 2021}}</ref>
|}

==Soundtrack==

===Digital singles===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
! width=4%| Year
! width=20%| Song
! width=15%| Performer
! width=24%| Episode
! width=37%%| Notes
|-
|2013
|"[[The Name Game]]"
|[[Jessica Lange]]
|"[[The Name Game (American Horror Story)|The Name Game]]"
|
* Originally performed by [[Shirley Ellis]]
* Released on January 15, 2013<ref>{{cite web |url = https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/name-game-from-american-horror/id593665253 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714043247/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/name-game-from-american-horror/id593665253 |url-status = dead |archive-date = July 14, 2014 |title = The Name Game |last1 = American Horror Story Cast |first1 = The |author-link2 = Jessica Lange |last2 = Lange |first2 = Jessica |date = January 15, 2013 |website = [[iTunes Store|iTunes]] |at = itunes.apple.com |publisher = [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] |access-date = November 11, 2014}}</ref>
|-
|colspan=5 width=100% style="font-size:8pt" align="center" |Note: Released by [[Fox Music|20th Century Fox TV Records]].
|}

==References==
{{Reflist |30em}}

==External links==

* {{Official website|https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/american-horror-story/ahs-asylum}}
* {{IMDb episodes|1844624|American Horror Story: Asylum|season=2}}

{{American Story |2}}
{{American Horror Story episodes}}
{{GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:American Horror Story (season 2)}}
[[Category:2012 American television seasons|American Horror Story (season 2)]]
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{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=American Horror Story: Asylum|access_date=2026-02-25}}