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American Horror Story: Coven

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Template:Infobox television season

The third season of the American horror anthology television series American Horror Story, subtitled Coven, is set in 2013 New Orleans and follows a coven of witches descended from Salem as they fight for survival and features flashbacks to the Salem witch trials in 1692, as well as the 1830s, 1910s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1990s. The ensemble cast includes Sarah Paulson, Taissa Farmiga, Frances Conroy, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, Emma Roberts, Denis O'Hare, Kathy Bates, and Jessica Lange, with all returning from previous seasons, except Roberts and Bates. The season marks the first to not feature cast mainstays Dylan McDermott and Zachary Quinto.

Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for the cable network FX, the series is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. Coven was broadcast between October 9, 2013, to January 29, 2014, consisting of 13 episodes. Like its predecessors, the season was met with both positive reviews and strong ratings, with the premiere attracting a series high of 5.54 million viewers, which, at the time, was the most viewed episode of the series. The season garnered seventeen Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Miniseries. It received nominations for Lange, Paulson, Bassett, Conroy, and Bates at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards, with Lange and Bates winning their respective categories. In addition, Coven was nominated for Best Miniseries or TV Film at the Golden Globe Awards.

Cast and characters

Main

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Special guest stars

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

Template:Episode table

Production

Conception

In January 2013, series co-creator Ryan Murphy hinted that a clue about the third season would be hidden in the tenth episode of the second season.[1] In a later interview discussing that episode, he stated, "I sorta feel like for the third version I want to do something that's a little bit more 'evil glamour.' Just something that's a little bit more...one of the things that I missed this season was I really loved having that Romeo and Juliet youth story with Violet and Tate [from the first season]. I want something like that again, and we're doing something like that in the third season. And we're contemplating shooting the show in a different place. We're contemplating shooting it in a place in the country where true horror has been."[2] In another interview, Murphy added that the season would be set in the modern-day.[3]

Executive producer Tim Minear has stated that, while this season's tone might be lighter with more humor, the global themes of it will be "oppression of minorities of all kinds, and within that idea, minority groups going after each other and doing the work of the larger culture." He added, "While there is a strong feminist theme that runs throughout Coven, there are themes of race and themes of oppression, and themes of family – especially mothers and daughters."[4]

Future season

In October 2016, Murphy stated that a future season of the show would feature a return/continuation of Coven. He stated that this is not the theme for season 7, but a later season. He also confirmed that Lady Gaga's character from Roanoke is the first Supreme.[5] Later that month, Murphy announced that the season would be a Coven and Murder House crossover continuation. Merging stories, themes, and characters. He also stated that he had begun reaching out to actors from both seasons to reprise their respective roles. In 2018, Murphy announced the eighth season, Apocalypse, which would be the crossover season. Apocalypse follows the world after a nuclear holocaust, and the events leading up to the end of the world, principally, the witches' fight against Michael Langdon, the antichrist who was born in Murder House.[6]

Casting

Series executive producers and co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk stated that, as with the second season, "many actors" would return for the third season in different roles.[7] Jessica Lange, Evan Peters, and Sarah Paulson all confirmed their returns. Murphy added that Lange would portray a "real glamour-cat lady",[3] whose name was later revealed to be Fiona Goode.[8] Paulson said in an interview that her character would "definitely [be] different [to her season two character]." She added, "Basically, she's going to look different, and my relationship to Lange is going to be quite different this time. At the beginning of last season, no one knew that Lana would be the hero, so it's possible I could end up the evil one this year. As of right now, there will be some of Lana Winters' qualities in my character, but I don't know for sure."[9] Taissa Farmiga, who played a lead role in the first season, starred as Zoe Benson, a character involved in a prominent romance with Peters' character.[10] Lily Rabe and Frances Conroy portrayed series regulars Misty Day and Myrtle Snow, respectively.[10][11] Kathy Bates co-starred as Delphine LaLaurie, an evil woman from the past who tortures her slaves.[12] Murphy stated that Bates' character would be "five times worse than [her] Misery character" and is also inspired by a "true event".[13] It was reported on May 22, 2013, that Emma Roberts would co-star as Madison Montgomery, a difficult Hollywood starlet.[14]

In May 2013, Murphy announced via Twitter that Angela Bassett and Patti LuPone had joined the cast.[15][7] Bassett later confirmed she would be playing voodoo priestess, Marie Laveau. In an interview, LuPone said that her character, Joan Ramsey, would not be a witch but "the personification of the religious right, 'like Piper Laurie in Carrie.'"[16] Gabourey Sidibe appeared in 12 episodes of the season portraying Queenie, a young witch, whose prominent ability allows her to become a human voodoo doll.[17] First season actress Jamie Brewer recurred as Nan, a young witch who is clairvoyant.

In July and August 2013, Murphy announced through Twitter that Murder House actors Denis O'Hare and Alexandra Breckenridge had joined the cast in unknown roles, later known as Spalding and Kaylee, respectively.[18][19] Also in August, Murphy announced that Christine Ebersole would be playing a "Glinda the Good Witch-type of gal", who is Fiona's predecessor.[20] In an interview, Jessica Lange revealed that Mare Winningham had joined the cast as Peters' character's mother, Alicia Spencer.[21] Leslie Jordan announced that he had joined the cast as Quentin Fleming, a high-ranking witch.[22] In September 2013, Alexander Dreymon was cast in the role of Luke Ramsey. Described as "the handsome young man who moves in next door to the Academy".[23] Danny Huston, Josh Hamilton, and Lance Reddick all recurred throughout the season as the Axeman, Hank Foxx, and Papa Legba, respectively. Murphy also invited singer Stevie Nicks to be a part of the season. She appeared in two episodes, "The Magical Delights of Stevie Nicks" and "The Seven Wonders".

Filming

Principal photography for the season began on July 23, 2013, and concluded January 17, 2014,[24] in New Orleans, Louisiana.[25] The casting call reads, "After two seasons shooting in Los Angeles, the series moves to [New Orleans] for its third season. Filming begins July 23, 2013, in New Orleans, Louisiana and [will be] completed on January 17, 2014."[26] Despite Ryan Murphy stating that the third season would take place in multiple cities,[3] New Orleans is the primary setting of the third installment.[4] The Buckner Mansion, a 19th-century Greek Revival home in the Garden District neighborhood of New Orleans, was used for exterior shots of Miss Robichaux's Academy.[27][28][29]

Marketing

Similar to the prior seasons, FX published mini teaser trailers for Coven on the show's Facebook page.[30]

Reception

Ratings

CovenTemplate:'s premiere episode, "Bitchcraft", was watched by 5.54 million viewers, which, at the time, was the highest total viewers of any American Horror Story episode.[31] It was surpassed by the fourth season's premiere, "Monsters Among Us", which received 6.13 million viewers during its broadcast.[32] The ratings slipped for the second episode, delivering 4.51 million viewers and a 2.5 rating among adults 18-49 – down 17% from the premiere.[33] The rest of the season's episodes remained relatively steady in ratings; the episode with the lowest viewing numbers was the penultimate episode, "Go to Hell".

Critical response

American Horror Story: Coven received positive reviews from critics. The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 85% approval rating, with an average rating of 7.25/10, based on 221 reviews, becoming the best-reviewed season of the series on that site. The site's consensus reads, "A noteworthy ensemble cast combined with creepy storytelling and campy, outrageous thrills make American Horror Story: Coven a potently structured fright-fest."[34] The season scored 71 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 24 reviews.[35]

Anne T Donahue of The Guardian stated that Coven "could be American Horror Story's best instalment yet," writing, "That's not to say Coven is perfect. It's been called out as glorified slave-torture porn in the US, and it's important that Madame LeLaurie's storyline comes full circle, and that slavery is handled in a responsible way. The same goes for Zoe's storyline, and the incidences of sexual assault within this season, too. But American Horror Story can handle it. And while it's obviously over-the-top, its broader social commentary makes it a unique series, unlike anything we've seen on television before. It's a conventional horror story, but it's America's horror story too. Just try making it through an episode without hiding behind the sofa."[36] In their post-season reviews, The Michigan Daily gave Coven a B+, saying, "And while its conclusion, appropriately titled "The Seven Wonders", never quite matched the high standard it set for itself throughout the season, CovenTemplate:'s reputation will nonetheless remain a solid one."[37] Jeff Jensen of Entertainment Weekly gave the season a B rating and said, "I can't deny my experience: Week to week, the excesses of Coven were wickedly amusing. Next year, I hope American Horror Story can be more than that, and with less."[38]

In contrast, Coven was also met with negative reviews from some critics. The A.V. Club gave the season a low rating of D+, with critic Emily VanDerWerff remarking, "It lurched drunkenly from idea to idea, never settling on one long enough to build anything of worth."[39] Some critics, like Amanda Kay LeBlanc, state that the series is ineffective in completely opposing the ideas of racism, oppression, and racial conflict that are integral to CovenTemplate:'s conception.[40] "Although the narrative of Coven explicitly decries racism," she writes, "it simultaneously invests in colorblind racist narratives. Whiteness is central in Coven, operating through discourse that ignores racial difference and contemporary forms of oppression and erasure."[41] She additionally argues that Coven excessively depends on and uses the imagery of violence against black people for entertainment and plot progression.[41] Template:Television Rotten Tomatoes scores

Accolades

In its third season, the series was nominated for 74 awards, 14 of which were won.

Year Association Category Nominee(s) Result
2013 IGN's Best of 2013: TV[42] Best TV Horror Series American Horror Story: Coven Template:Nom
2014 4th Critics' Choice TV Awards Best Movie/ Miniseries Template:Nom
Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/ Miniseries Kathy Bates Template:Nom
Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries Jessica Lange Template:Won
5th Dorian Awards[43] TV Performance of the Year – Actress Template:Won
TV Drama of the Year American Horror Story: Coven Template:Nom
Campy TV Show of the Year Template:Won
66th Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Limited/Anthology Series Template:Nom
Outstanding Writing for a Limited/Anthology orMovie Ryan Murphy & Brad Falchuk Template:Small Template:Nom
Outstanding Directing for a Limited/Anthology or Movie Alfonso Gomez-Rejon Template:Small Template:Nom
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series or Movie Kathy Bates Template:Won
Frances Conroy Template:Nom
Angela Bassett Template:Nom
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited/Anthology or Movie Sarah Paulson Template:Nom
Jessica Lange Template:Won
66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Casting for a Limited/Anthology or Movie Robert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson, Meagan Lewis Template:Nom
Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or Special Lou Eyrich, Elizabeth Macey, Ken Van Duyne Template:Small Template:Won
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Limited Series or Movie Monte C. Haught, Michelle Ceglia, Yolanda Mercadel, Daina Daigle Template:Won
Outstanding Makeup Eryn Krueger Mekash, Kim Ayers, Vicki Vacca, Mike Mekash, Christopher Nelson, Lucy O'Reilly Template:Nom
Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Special James S. Levine Template:Small Template:Nom
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup Eryn Krueger Mekash, Mike Mekash, Christien Tinsley, Jason Hamer, Christopher Nelson, David L. Anderson, Cristina Patterson, Rob Freitas Template:Nom
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or Special Gary Megregian, David Klotz, Timothy A. Cleveland, Paul Diller, Brian Thomas Nist, Steve M. Stuhr, Lance Wiseman, Noel Vought Template:Small Template:Nom
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or Movie Bruce Litecky, Joe Earle, Doug Andham Template:Small Template:Nom
Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie Mark Worthington, Andrew Murdock, Ellen Brill Template:Nom
71st Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Miniseries or TV Film Jessica Lange Template:Nom
Best Limited/ Anthology or TV Film American Horror Story: Coven Template:Nom
61st MPSE Golden Reel Awards[44][45] Best Sound Editing in TV – Short Form: Dialogue & ADR Episode: "Bitchcraft" Template:Nom
45th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a TV Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Gabourey Sidibe Template:Nom
Angela Bassett Template:Nom
18th Online Film & TV Association Awards[46] Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Template:Nom
Kathy Bates Template:Won
Frances Conroy Template:Nom
Lily Rabe Template:Nom
Gabourey Sidibe Template:Nom
Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Jessica Lange Template:Nom
Sarah Paulson Template:Nom
Best Miniseries American Horror Story: Coven Template:Nom
Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Template:Nom
Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries Template:Nom
Best Music in a Non-Series Template:Nom
Best Editing in a Non-Series Template:Nom
Best Cinematography in a Non-Series Template:Nom
Best Production Design in a Non-Series Template:Nom
Best Costume Design in a Non-Series Template:Won
Best Makeup/Hairstyling in a Non-Series Template:Won
Best Sound in a Non-Series Template:Nom
Best Visual Effects in a Non-Series Template:Won
Best New Titles Sequence Template:Nom
40th People's Choice Awards Favorite TV Movie/Miniseries Template:Won
18th Satellite Awards Best TV Series – Genre Template:Nom
Best Actress – Miniseries or TV Film Jessica Lange Template:Nom
Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or TV Film Kathy Bates Template:Nom
40th Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on TV Template:Nom
Best Guest Starring Role on TV Danny Huston Template:Nom
Best Syndicated/Cable TV Series American Horror Story: Coven Template:Nom
Best Actress on TV Jessica Lange Template:Nom
20th Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series Template:Nom
30th TCA Awards Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials American Horror Story: Coven Template:Nom
54th Golden Nymph Awards[47][48] Best Actress in a Miniseries Jessica Lange Template:Nom
Sarah Paulson Template:Nom
18th ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards TV movie or Miniseries Mark Worthington Template:Small Template:Nom
35th Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series – Guest Starring Young Actor 11–13 Toby Nichols Template:Nom
BET Awards 2014 Best Actress Angela Bassett Template:Nom
50th CAS Awards[49] Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing – TV Movie or Miniseries Bruce Litecky, CAS Template:Small
Joe Earle, CAS Template:Small
Doug Andham, CAS Template:Small
James S. Levine Template:Small
Judah Getz Template:Small
Kyle Billingsley Template:Small Template:Small 		Template:Nom
16th CDG Awards[50][51] Outstanding Made for Television Movie or Miniseries Lou Eyrich Template:Nom
Make-up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards 2014[52][53] Miniseries or TV Movie Period and/or Character Make-up Eryn Krueger Mekash, Christien Tinsley Template:Nom
Miniseries or TV Movie Period and/or Character Hair Styling Monte C. Haught Template:Nom
51st ICG Publicists Awards[54] Maxwell Weinberg Campaign Award – TV Matthew Mitchell Template:Won
TV Guide Awards 2012[55][56] Favorite Horror Show American Horror Story: Coven Template:Nom
Women's Image Network Awards 2014[57] MFT Movie/Miniseries Template:Won
Actress MFT Movie/Miniseries Emma Roberts Template:Small Template:Nom
2015 26th PGA Awards Outstanding Producer of Long-Form TV Brad Buecker, Dante Di Loreto, Brad Falchuk, Joseph Incaprera, Alexis Martin Woodall, Tim Minear, Ryan Murphy, Jennifer Salt, James Wong Template:Small Template:Nom
30th Artios Awards[58] TV movie or Miniseries Robert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson, Carol Kritzer, Meagan Lewis Template:Small, Eric Souliere Template:Small Template:Nom
Bram Stoker Award 2014[59] Superior Achievement in a Screenplay James Wong Template:Small Template:Nom

Home media

American Horror Story: Coven – The Complete Third Season
Set Details Special Features
  • 13 Episodes
  • 4 Disc Set (DVD)
  • 3 Disc Set (BD)
  • English & Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
  • Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
  • Runtime: 594 Minutes
  • Zombie Halloween: A Look at the Making of the Episode "Fearful Pranks Ensue"
  • Enter the Coven: A Look at the Entire Season with Interviews From the Cast and Crew
  • Meet Mrs. NOLA: Shooting on Location in New Orleans
Release Dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
Template:Start date[60] Template:Start date[61] Template:Start date[62]

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

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External links

Template:American Story Template:American Horror Story episodes

This article incorporates text from the Wikipedia article "American Horror Story: Coven", available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License.Retrieved 2026-02-25.

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