Now that FX's American Horror Story: Freak Show has come to an end, fans are already speculating about which stars will return as new characters in season 5 this fall.

Season 5 of American Horror Story is expected to undergo some change as marquee star Jessica Lange has left the series. While it is not entirely confirmed yet, there have not been any reports to suggest that Lange will actually return in some capacity.

This means that the show could shine the spotlight more on some of their other stars, including Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Frances Conroy and Evan Peters. Other actors like Denis O'Hare, Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe and even Lily Rabe and Taissa Farmiga could possibly receive starring roles in the new season.

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Paulson has become a sort of co-lead with Lange over the past three seasons, with her characters often surviving to the end as heroes. However, she is set to have a starring role in co-creator Ryan Murphy's new show American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson, so hopefully this wouldn't conflict with filming American Horror Story.

Bates has made an impression since her AHS debut in Coven and has expressed interest in returning for another season. With her horror movie past she could definitely fill in as the new lead if need be.

Similarly, Bassett is an accomplished actress with several award nominations under her belt and she has the type of star magnetism to lead a season. She too has said that she would like to return for future seasons.

Neither Peters nor Conroy have explicitly stated that they want to return for season 5 but it seems like they would return as long as the writers keep giving them good parts. Peters has a burgeoning film career now that he is starring in the X-Men movie franchise, so he would be more likely to sit out of a season than Conroy.

Roberts is set to star in Murphy's other new show Scream Queens so that will probably take up too much of her time, even if she wanted to appear in American Horror Story. Similarly, Sidibe has a recurring role in Fox's new hit Empire so she might be busy there. O'Hare is always busy with film and television but he may return to AHS if it's a good part.

Finn Wittrock certainly made a huge impression with his performance as Dandy Mott in Freak Show, so he will likely be near the top of the list of actors Murphy (and fans) want to see return as a new character.

It is also entirely possible that Murphy and company will be on the hunt for a new older actress to lead the show. Murphy has expressed interest in recruiting Michelle Pfeiffer, Shirley MacLaine and even Reese Witherspoon in the past, though he wasn't able to get any of them for Freak Show.

He did nab Michael Chiklis for Freak Show though, who he also put on his wish list at the time, so anything is possible now that there is a big Lange-sized vacancy at the show.

No cast members have been officially confirmed for season 5 of American Horror Story, but that won't stop fans from advocating for their favorites. Who do you want to appear in season 5?

American Horror Story returns for season 5 in the fall on FX, though the network has not yet announced a specific premiere date.

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American Horror Story, Television, Fx