TV producer Ryan Murphy, known for popular shows like American Horror Story (AHS), has set the record straight about his new series Grotesquerie. Some fans thought the new show should be part of the AHS universe, but Murphy firmly disagrees.
In an interview with Deadline, Murphy explained that Grotesquerie was never meant to fit within the AHS series. “It just doesn’t belong,” Murphy said.
He compared the difference to the gap between two famous movies: Don’t Look Now and Halloween. Each tells a different kind of story, and for Murphy, Grotesquerie follows its own path.
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Murphy’s latest show, starring Niecy Nash, explores more psychological horror rather than the intense, traditional scares people expect from AHS.
He also responded to comments about another project, American Sports Story, which some felt should be part of his American Crime Story series. But Murphy says American Sports Story will focus on bigger themes, like toxic masculinity and sports injuries, not just crime.
While Murphy admitted that there are some similarities in his shows—like the tone and the actors he chooses—he believes each one stands apart. “When people started saying it should be part of AHS, I thought, ‘What are you talking about? It’s nothing like that,’” Murphy said.
FX Chief John Landgraf agrees with Murphy. He explained that American Horror Story follows a more classic horror structure with creative settings and characters. But Grotesquerie is very different. Landgraf compared it to the movie Get Out, which blends horror with social commentary.
“You can see why people might get confused since Grotesquerie is still horror,” Landgraf said. “But it’s really something new. It wouldn’t have made sense to include it in AHS because it’s not just a part of that world—it’s its own thing.”
Murphy’s other shows on FX include American Horror Stories and Feud. He’s also working on new projects, like American Love Story, about the relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and The Beauty, a modern take on themes similar to his earlier show Nip/Tuck.
While many of his shows may share some ideas, Murphy wants people to know that each series has a different influence and purpose. “They may have some overlap,” he said, “but they all tell different kinds of stories.”
Murphy and Landgraf are confident that keeping Grotesquerie and AHS separate will allow each show to thrive on its own. Fans of Murphy’s work can look forward to even more creative storytelling across his many ongoing projects.
