FX has been teasing fans for weeks with brief video clips teasing the upcoming season of American Horror Story: Freak Show, and there was even a fake promotional clip that made the rounds back in July, but today we have the real deal first official extended preview trailer for the new season that features video footage of a number of the main characters, including those played by Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Sarah Paulson, Michael Chiklis, Evan Peters, and of course, Jessica Lange.
The trailer is essentially a behind-the-scenes look backstage at the Freak Show as the various characters look to be preparing for their performances. The tour is led by what appears to be a freakishly tall man (or woman), who guides us through the curtained rooms as the Melanie Martinez song “Carousel” plays.
Check out the clip in all its HD glory!
Here is an animated gif timeline of the clip, thanks to the amazing Freakophiles over at the AHS Fans Tumblr blog:
First up we have Kathy Bates (above) as bearded lady Effil Darling, seen grooming her magnificent face broom with the help of an assistant and a mirror.
Next up is strongman Wendell Del Toledo played by Michael Chiklis, who is pumping iron with an over-sized barbell while a lady sits on his shoulders.
The tall man guide then takes us from extremely masculine to extremely feminine as we next see tri-breasted Desiree Dupree, played by Angela Bassett.
Evan Peter’s Jimmy Darling character is then seen with his lobster claws all over a blonde woman! (It was previously unclear what Jimmy Darling’s role in the freak show would be, but judging from his fused fingers it looks like he will be a “Lobster Boy.”)
Next up is Sarah Paulson as Siamese twins Bette and Dot Tattler. One of the Tattlers is smiling, but the other looks a little less light-hearted. It is unclear which is which.
Finally we have show-stopper, and ringleader, Elsa Mars played by AHS matriarch Jessica Lange! Elsa wears a bold red and white striped dress that looks to be nearly identical to the fabric of the Big Top tents that deflate and crash down at the end of the clip.
Be sure to check out our previous article for posters and descriptions for each of the main characters!
American Horror Story: Freak Show premieres October 8 on FX!
UPDATE – Here’s a synopsis of the first episode of AHS Freak Show!
Episode 4.01 – Monsters Among Us (Airs October 8, 10:00 pm e/p)
One of the only surviving sideshows in the country struggles to stay in business during the dawning era of television. When police make a terrifying discovery at a local farmhouse, the eccentric purveyor of the freak show sees an opportunity that will lead her troupe either to their salvation or ruin.
As a bonus, here is the Melanie Martinez song “Carousel” featured in the American Horror Story Freak Show trailer:
Melanie, who you might remember as the singer with the two-toned hair from The Voice, took to Facebook to share her bewilderment at the song being used for the promo and the impact it is already having on sales of “Carousel” and the EP it appears on, Doll House:
