Development In October 2011, the
FX Network renewed American Horror Story for a second season. In December 2011, series co-creator
Ryan Murphy announced his plans to change the characters and location for the second season. He did say, however, that some actors who starred in the first season would be returning. "The people that are coming back will be playing completely different characters, creatures, monsters, etc. [The Harmons'] stories are done. People who are coming back will be playing entirely new characters," he announced. called Briarcliff Manor and located on the East Coast. Talking about the season, Murphy commented, "It's a completely different world and has nothing to do with season 1; there's not a mention of season 1... The second season is set in a completely different time period." He later said, "Everyone looks so different; people who were enemies last year are allies this year. The sets are amazing. It's 1964, so everything looks very different." Murphy had also told
TV Guide that there would not be any
ghosts in the second season, "I think
the story is horrifying," he said. "The story is a period piece in a mental institution based largely on truth, and truth is always scarier than fiction." In August 2012, Murphy announced the season's new name by stating, "We picked 'Asylum' because it not only describes the setting – an insane asylum run by Jessica Lange's character which was formerly a
tuberculosis ward – but also signifies a place of haven for the unloved and the unwanted," he said. "This year's theme is about sanity and tackling real-life horrors." Previous consulting producer
Tim Minear was promoted to executive producer and continued writing for the series, beginning with the season premiere. He also scripted the season finale.
Casting In March 2012, Murphy revealed that the second season had been conceptualized around Jessica Lange, saying, "This will really be the Jessica Lange show, so I'm very excited about it. We are designing this amazing new opposite of the Constance character for her. She and I have spoken about different things. She has a lot of ideas and has a lot of input into her character. She told me some things she has always wanted to play as an actress." She portrayed Sister Jude, an apparent sadistic nun.
Zachary Quinto, who had a recurring role as
Chad in the first season, was confirmed as one of the leads in March 2012. He portrayed Dr. Oliver Thredson, a psychiatrist with groundbreaking treatment methods that go against Sister Jude's. Comparing his new character to his previous one, Quinto said, "He's much more grounded and in control." At the
PaleyFest 2012,
Evan Peters,
Sarah Paulson, and
Lily Rabe were confirmed to return as main cast members for the second season. Paulson portrayed Lana Winters, a lesbian reporter whose girlfriend is coerced by Sister Jude into having her committed to the asylum, Rabe portrayed Sister Mary Eunice, an innocent and loyal second-in-charge to Sister Jude, and Peters portrayed Kit Walker, a man who's accused of murdering his wife, Alma (
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. Levine revealed to
E! in June 2012 that his character is "newly married" and would go with his wife on their honeymoon. "I don't want to tell you too much... but it's gory."
Jenna Dewan-Tatum played his wife, Teresa. In April 2012,
Lizzie Brocheré was cast to play Grace, a character described originally as "a fierce, ferocious, extremely sexual, and dangerous wild-child sexpot" to rival Jessica Lange's character, but the role was later heavily revamped. In May 2012,
James Cromwell signed on to co-star as Dr. Arthur Arden, a man who works in the asylum, and who is revealed to have been a
Nazi.
Chloë Sevigny played the role of Shelley, a nymphomaniac whose husband has her placed in the asylum. In June 2012,
Joseph Fiennes joined the main cast as Monsignor Timothy Howard, a possible love interest for Jessica Lange's Sister Jude. Later that month,
Chris Zylka was cast to play Daniel, who was touted as "the most beautiful boy in the world and a deaf-mute"; however, Zylka was later replaced by an unmentioned actor, due to his reluctance to shave his head for the role. Britne Oldford was cast in the recurring role of Alma, Peters' character's supposed dead/missing wife. In July 2012,
Mark Consuelos was cast as a patient named Spivey, who was described as a degenerate bully. Also in July,
Clea DuVall was cast as Wendy, a school teacher and Lana's girlfriend, and
Franka Potente was cast in an unspecified role, which was later revealed to be Anne Frank / Charlotte Brown. In August 2012, Blake Sheldon was cast in the dual role of Devon and Cooper – both described as "tall, thin and psychopathic." Ultimately Sheldon would portray only Cooper.
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.
Mark Margolis recurred as Sam Goodwin, while
David Chisum and
Amy Farrington guest-starred as a caring husband and a troubled mother, respectively. In mid-October,
Ian McShane joined the season in the recurring role of Leigh Emerson, a psychotic man who murders people while wearing a
Santa Claus suit; he has a vendetta against Sister Jude.
Dylan McDermott appeared during the second half of the season as Johnny Morgan, the modern-day Bloody Face.
Filming Principal photography for the second season began on July 17, 2012. The exterior filming of Briarcliff was done at the
Old Orange County Courthouse. Series production designer Mark Worthington stated, "It's referred to as
Richardsonian and Romanesque. It's named after an architect named
Henry Hobson Richardson. He developed the style in the 19th century. It's circular arches, heavy stone. It's creepy, great for horror. It's dark, dark shiny brick. That's how we got away from all the hospital light stuff. There's still an institutional feel to it." ==Reception==