American Horror Story: Coven

American Horror Story:
Coven

Promotional poster
Starring
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 13
Release
Original network FX
Original release October 9, 2013 (2013-10-09) – January 29, 2014 (2014-01-29)

American Horror Story: Coven is the third season of the FX horror anthology television series American Horror Story. It premiered on October 9, 2013, and concluded on January 29, 2014. The season takes place in 2013, in New Orleans, and follows a Coven of Salem witches as they fight for survival. It also features flashbacks to the 1830s, 1910s, and 1970s.

Returning cast members from the previous season of the series include: Robin Bartlett, Frances Conroy, Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and Lily Rabe. Taissa Farmiga, Jamie Brewer, Denis O'Hare, and Alexandra Breckenridge also make their returns to the series.

Like its predecessors, Coven was met with both mostly positive reviews, and strong ratings, with the premiere episode attracting a series high of 5.54 million viewers. The season garnered seventeen Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Miniseries and five acting nominations for Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett, Frances Conroy, and Kathy Bates, with Lange and Kathy Bates winning their respective acting categories. In addition, Coven was nominated for Best Mini-Series or TV Film at the Golden Globes.

In the series' fifth cycle, Hotel, Gabourey Sidibe reprised her role as Queenie in the eleventh episode of the season.

Plot

The third season follows a Coven of Salem descendants who reside within Miss Robichaux's Academy in New Orleans. Zoe Benson (Taissa Farmiga) is sent to the Academy after discovering her dark power: she can magically induce brain hemorrhaging in any man by having sex with him. Upon arrival, she meets Madison Montgomery (Emma Roberts), a telekinetic and a recovering drug abuser who was once a child film star; Queenie (Gabourey Sidibe), a descendant of Salem with the power to inflict wounds on others by harming herself, without feeling any pain; and Nan (Jamie Brewer), an enigmatic clairvoyant who can hear the thoughts of others.

The Academy is run by headmistress Cordelia Foxx (Sarah Paulson), who has always lived in the shadow of her mother, Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange). Fiona is the Coven's "Supreme", a witch born every generation who embodies countless gifts and magical abilities, namely, the Seven Wonders of Witchcraft. The Academy is looked after by Spalding (Denis O'Hare), a mute butler who has a mysterious relationship with Fiona. The Coven is assessed by the Council of Witchcraft, which includes Fiona's old rival and Cordelia's mother figure, Myrtle Snow (Frances Conroy).

At a party, Zoe meets fraternity president Kyle Spencer (Evan Peters), who takes a liking to her. Madison is gang-raped by Kyle's frat brothers and, as revenge, uses her power to flip their bus, killing Kyle and six others. Two of the boys survive and are placed in critical care. Zoe goes to the hospital and kills the remaining rapist with her power. To repay Zoe, Madison revives a dismembered Kyle by attaching his frat brothers' severed limbs to his head and casting a resurrection spell, but he returns frightened and simple-minded. It is revealed that Kyle's mother sexually abused him, making it hard for him to be trusting of physical touch. His revived corpse attracts Misty Day (Lily Rabe), a witch who resurrected herself after being burned at the stake.

Meanwhile, Fiona is cursed with an untreatable cancer due to a new Supreme rising. She tries, in vain, to regain her youth and cure herself. Voodoo priestess and the Salem witches' rival, Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett), has gained immortality by dealing with the voodoo devil, Papa Legba (Lance Reddick). Fiona frees Marie's immortal prisoner, 19th-century slave killer Delphine LaLaurie (Kathy Bates), who becomes the Academy's maid. She struggles to adjust to the modern world due to her inherent racism. Fiona believes Madison is the next Supreme and slits her throat; Spalding helps cover it up. Zoe discovers Spalding's secrets and kills him, turning him into a ghost that haunts the Academy. Cordelia is blinded in an acid attack by witch hunters, one of whom is her husband. Myrtle is framed by Fiona, with Queenie's help, and is burned at the stake.

In 1919, witches of the Academy killed the notorious serial killer the Axeman (Danny Huston), whose spirit has since been confined inside the Academy's walls. He is freed when Zoe tries to contact the ghost of Madison via ouija board. He then begins a twisted romance with Fiona. Misty revives Myrtle and Madison, both of whom return with vengeful notions; Madison seduces Kyle behind Zoe's back, and Myrtle slaughters the Council of Witchcraft. Queenie joins the voodoo tribe and gives over Delphine, who is tortured and beheaded but remains alive. Cordelia's husband, Hank (Josh Hamilton), slaughters the tribe and nearly kills Marie, before Queenie uses her powers on Hank by shooting herself in the head, killing him.

A hopeless Marie joins the Academy, and she and Fiona drown Nan in order to fulfil a deal with Legba and remove a Supreme candidate. Queenie returns with a reattached Delphine. Marie, Fiona, and the Axeman slaughter the witch hunters. Spalding's ghost helps Delphine dissect Marie. Madison attempts to eliminate Supreme competition by entombing Misty, but she is brought back by Queenie and Cordelia. Queenie kills Delphine after making a deal with Legba to return her mortality. Marie and Delphine are banished to Hell for eternity due to their actions in life. Fiona makes the Axeman believe he has murdered her, and the witches kill him in return.

The Coven sets out to find the next Supreme with the test of Seven Wonders. Misty and Zoe die while attempting different tests. Queenie is disqualified when she is unable to revive Zoe. Madison can but refuses, and angrily leaves after she fails a test. Kyle then kills her for not saving Zoe. Cordelia enters the competition and successfully brings Zoe back. She becomes the new Supreme, regains her sight, and reveals the Coven to the world. Myrtle is burned once again for murdering the Council. Zoe and Queenie are appointed seats on the Council, and Kyle becomes the new butler. Fiona returns to the Coven alive but withered from cancer. She makes amends with Cordelia, before dying in her arms. Fiona is then banished to Hell with the Axeman. Cordelia, Zoe, Queenie, and Kyle open the doors to the Academy, welcoming the new recruitment of witches.

Cast and characters

Main

Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, and Emma Roberts (left to right) portray lead roles, Fiona Goode, Cordelia Foxx, and Madison Montgomery, respectively, who appear in all episodes.
Kathy Bates, Frances Conroy, and Lily Rabe (left to right) portray lead roles Marie Delphine LaLaurie, Myrtle Snow, and Misty Day, respectively.

Special guest stars

Angela Bassett, Gabourey Sidibe, and Patti LuPone (left to right) guest star as Marie Laveau, Queenie, and Joan Ramsey, respectively.

Guest stars

Recurring

Episodes
No.
overall 		 No. in
season 		 Title  Directed by  Written by  Original air date  Prod.
code 		 U.S. viewers
(millions) 
261"Bitchcraft"Alfonso Gomez-RejonRyan Murphy & Brad FalchukOctober 9, 2013 (2013-10-09)3ATS015.54[1]
Zoe Benson (Taissa Farmiga) plans to have sex with her boyfriend for the first time, but something goes horribly wrong when the loss of her virginity leads to the discovery of a hidden power. Zoe learns she is a descendant from Salem and is in fact a witch. Her unique power causes violent hemorrhaging and certain death to whom ever she has sex with. Fearing their daughter may become a hazard to the ones around her, Zoe's parents send her to a mysterious all-girls private school in New Orleans that teaches young witches how to survive in the modern world. Upon arriving, she meets her classmates: Madison Montgomery (Emma Roberts), a spoiled brat teenage movie star, who can move objects with her mind, Nan (Jamie Brewer), a girl with Down syndrome, who can hear the thoughts of others, and Queenie (Gabourey Sidibe), a witch from Detroit who descends from one of the only African-American lines of Salem witches: she is a human voodoo doll who can transfer her own wounds onto someone else. The school is owned and run by Cordelia Foxx (Sarah Paulson). After a young witch named Misty Day (Lily Rabe) is burned at the stake, Cordelia's estranged mother, reigning Supreme and most powerful witch of her generation, Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange), arrives to ensure their protection. However, Fiona also has her own agenda: finding a way to regain her youth. Zoe and Madison go to a local fraternity party only for it to end in tragedy when Madison is drugged and gang-raped by several frat brothers. She then takes quick and lethal revenge against them. Zoe later kills the last surviving frat boy by using her new power.
272"Boy Parts"Michael RymerTim MinearOctober 16, 2013 (2013-10-16)3ATS024.51[2]
Still seeking to be perpetually young and beautiful, Fiona questions her new captive, Madame Delphine LaLaurie (Kathy Bates), who in the previous episode was dug up from an unmarked grave, still alive. Delphine tells Fiona that 180 years ago, a voodoo priestess named Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett) gave her an immortality elixir, killed her family, and buried her alive. In hopes of becoming immortal as well, Fiona visits the still-living Laveau in a 9th Ward beauty salon and creates a renewed rivalry between the Salem witches and the voodoo practitioners. Meanwhile, Zoe and Madison decide to cast a resurrection spell in order to bring Kyle (Evan Peters), one of several frat boy members that Madison murdered, back to life. When Kyle reanimates as a scared, angry monster, Zoe must seek help from a reclusive Necromancer, Misty Day. Elsewhere, Cordelia and her husband Hank (Josh Hamilton) have trouble conceiving a child, so he wants her to perform a fertility ritual.
283"The Replacements"Alfonso Gomez-RejonJames WongOctober 23, 2013 (2013-10-23)3ATS033.78[3]
Madison and Nan take a liking to the new next door neighbor, Luke Ramsey (Alexander Dreymon), but have problems with his overly-religious mother Joan (Patti LuPone). After an encounter with the Ramseys, Madison develops the power of Pyrokinesis. A weakened Fiona learns she has terminal cancer and believes it to be caused by one of the students rising to take her place as the Supreme. After hearing of Madison's growing power, Fiona takes her under wing. She shows Madison what it means to be a real witch, and gets her to reveal another new power she possesses. Realizing she is the next Supreme, Fiona plans to get rid of her. Meanwhile, Zoe visits Kyle's distraught mother (Mare Winningham) and takes him home, not knowing of her true colors. Cordelia is told by her doctor that she can never have a baby and goes to Marie Laveau for help. As punishment for her crimes of torture and abuse of slaves in 1830, the racist Delphine LaLaurie is forced by Fiona to be a maid to the students, causing tension between her and Queenie.
294"Fearful Pranks Ensue"Michael UppendahlJennifer SaltOctober 30, 2013 (2013-10-30)3ATS043.71[4]
Fiona tells the house butler, Spalding (Denis O'Hare), to get rid of Madison's body and rescues Queenie from the Minotaur, a mythological beast that was sent to the Academy by Marie Laveau. At Kyle's house, Zoe hastily cleans up the mess that he created after killing his mother, but ends up losing him as Halloween commences. Away on a "business" trip, Hank cheats on Cordelia with his girlfriend, Kaylee (Alexandra Breckenridge), whom he then murders in his hotel room. The Council of Witchcraft pays a surprise visit the Academy to discuss Madison's disappearance. After receiving a gruesome present from Fiona, Marie officially ends the truce between the witches and voodoo practitioners and calls upon the dead to wreak havoc on the Academy.
305"Burn, Witch. Burn!"Jeremy PodeswaJessica SharzerNovember 6, 2013 (2013-11-06)3ATS053.80[5]
Continuing from the last episode set on Halloween night, Zoe and the others go on the defensive when zombies attempt to get into the school. Faced with death, Zoe unleashes a new power. Madame LaLaurie deals with the fact that she was a horrible mother when she sees her own daughters amongst the hordes of zombies. After an attack on Cordelia leaves her blind and helpless, Fiona also deals with the fact that she was a bad mother. The Council returns after the attacks on Cordelia and the girls, but Fiona manages to persuade them into believing head of the Council, Myrtle Snow (Frances Conroy), attacked Cordelia due to her grudge against Fiona. Myrtle is sentenced to burn at the stake for harming another witch. At the end, Misty Day appears and resurrects Myrtle.
316"The Axeman Cometh"Michael UppendahlDouglas PetrieNovember 13, 2013 (2013-11-13)3ATS064.16[6]
Zoe, Queenie and Nan decide to come together as a Coven and use a spirit board to make contact with the other side in order to find Madison. The girls end up making contact with the spirit of legendary serial killer, The Axeman of New Orleans (Danny Huston). Queenie warns Zoe to stay away from that kind of witchcraft because it has dangerous consequences, but Zoe is determined to find out what happened to Madison. Zoe uses the spirit board alone, and summons the Axeman, who wants something in return for helping her find Madison. After decades of being held inside the Academy's walls, he asks Zoe to release his spirit that was trapped there by its former students. A now blind Cordelia develops the power of Second Sight and finds out about Hank's indiscretion, causing him to worry that she will find out his real secret of being a witch hunter. Madison is revived by Misty, and Kyle is kept at the Coven. Also, Fiona desperately wants to have one last whirlwind romance before she inevitably dies.
327"The Dead"Bradley BueckerBrad FalchukNovember 20, 2013 (2013-11-20)3ATS074.00[7]
Fiona has a tryst with the Axeman, which is complicated by the side effects of her chemotherapy. Meanwhile, Zoe casts a spell to restore Spalding's tongue and interrogates him, killing him after he admits Fiona was Madison's real murderer. A newly revived Madison bonds with Kyle over being undead. Delphine and Queenie also become closer, and Delphine tells Queenie that the other witches will never truly accept her because of her race. Queenie visits Marie, who offers to let Queenie join the voodoo practitioners if she brings her Delphine. After walking in on Kyle and Madison having sex, Zoe feels betrayed by them both, but Madison claims the two should simply share him. Zoe refuses, knowing that the minute they have sex her power will kill him. Madison insists that she can't kill him because he is already dead; that night Madison, Zoe and Kyle engage in a threesome.
338"The Sacred Taking"Alfonso Gomez-RejonRyan MurphyDecember 4, 2013 (2013-12-04)3ATS084.07[8]
Fearing for their lives, Misty and a resurrected Myrtle arrive at the Coven to escape a witch hunter. The Coven prepares for the Sacred Taking ritual; which is only invoked to protect the Coven in which a Supreme witch takes her own life to ensure the safety of the Coven, hastening the arrival of the next Supreme. As Fiona's health begins to fail, she finds Madison dancing around her bed. Madison claims to be the next Supreme by reviving herself, and Fiona's punishment will be to burn at the stake. She convinces Fiona to avoid that fate and swallow a handful of pills given to her. Fiona takes ipecac syrup, and vomits up the pills. She vows that she will avenge both Spalding's death and her own. At Marie Laveau's, Delphine is being held in a cage with no food or water. Delphine scoffs at Marie's taunts, pointing out she cannot die. Marie produces a large sword, mocking Delphine's lack of imagination. She hacks off Delphine's hand, warning that she's just getting started. That evening, an attack is carried out when an unseen witch hunter shoots and kills Joan Ramsey and injures Luke while Nan escapes injury. Misty, at Fiona's insistence, resurrects Joan. The next morning, with no servants to be found, Fiona answers the front door, only to find a cardboard box on the porch. She scans it with magic, takes it inside and opens it. Inside is Delphine LaLaurie's severed head staring back at her.
349"Head"Howard DeutchTim MinearDecember 11, 2013 (2013-12-11)3ATS093.94[9]
Marie scoffs at Fiona's offer of an alliance, but must later reconsider when witch hunter Hank turns his attention on her voodoo tribe. Hank's back story is revealed, showing how his father trained him to be a witch hunter and how he met and charmed his way into Cordelia's life. Myrtle finally gets her revenge upon the Council that betrayed her. Meanwhile, Queenie attempts to force the disembodied Delphine to appreciate the modern African-American heritage. Nan's clairvoyance allows a comatose Luke to reveal a dark Ramsey family secret. Also, Myrtle restores Cordelia's eyes and allows her to see again. In doing so, Cordelia loses her power of Second Sight.
3510"The Magical Delights of Stevie Nicks"Alfonso Gomez-RejonJames WongJanuary 8, 2014 (2014-01-08)3ATS103.49[10]
Marie and Fiona form an uneasy alliance in order to protect themselves from the witch hunters. Meanwhile, Nan develops new powers of being able to read and control people's thoughts. Madison tries to sabotage Zoe and the other witches in the race for the Supremacy. Fiona tries to show Misty the wonderful things a Supreme can enjoy, by introducing Stevie Nicks to her. It is also revealed how Marie is still beautiful and alive after so many years. Nan learns that Joan murdered Luke in his hospital bed after he threatened to reveal a family secret, and Nan turns to a dark path by exacting an equally cruel and lethal revenge against Joan.
3611"Protect the Coven"Bradley BueckerJennifer SaltJanuary 15, 2014 (2014-01-15)3ATS113.46[11]
A flashback to the 1830s reveals the origins of Delphine LaLaurie. After she moves back to New Orleans from Paris, she fears she will tire of the city's atmosphere. She then discovers her shocking attraction to blood and torture. In present day, a newly reassembled Delphine takes up an old hobby to pass the time. Marie and Fiona have a deadly face off with witch hunters of the Delphi Trust, while Cordelia makes a desperate sacrifice to protect the Coven. Meanwhile, a jealous Madison doesn't accept the fact that Kyle is in love with Zoe. The two argue over who deserves him more and Madison uses magic to hurt Zoe.
3712"Go to Hell"Alfonso Gomez-RejonJessica SharzerJanuary 22, 2014 (2014-01-22)3ATS123.35[12]
Knowing her death from cancer is approaching, Fiona attempts to make amends by saying goodbye to Cordelia, giving her a family heirloom. Cordelia regains her power of Second Sight and foresees the harrowing future of the Coven. Cordelia goes to the Axeman and shares her visions with him, which later leads to the murder of Fiona. With Fiona gone, the girls finally band together as a Coven. Also, Queenie summons Papa Legba (Lance Reddick) and visits her own personal Hell. Later Queenie kills Delphine LaLaurie, inadvertently killing Marie (as Papa Legba terminated their immortality after breach of contract) and the two find themselves in their actual Hell, which is an eternity of Delphine being tortured by Marie in her own torture chamber.
3813"The Seven Wonders"Alfonso Gomez-RejonDouglas PetrieJanuary 29, 2014 (2014-01-29)3ATS134.24[13]
In order to identify the next Supreme, Zoe, Madison, Misty and Queenie undergo the test of the Seven Wonders. The Seven Wonders are seven acts of magic so advanced, each pushes the boundaries of witchcraft. The one who performs them all successfully is the next Supreme. At first, the girls pass each test of magic with ease, until they reach the test of Descensum, where they must send their spirits to Hell and return before sunrise. All pass the test except Misty whose spirit remains trapped in her own personal Hell. When the sun rises, her body turns to dust. They recommence the tests with completing the act of Transmutation (teleportation). This leads Zoe to her own demise when she teleports herself through the iron gates of the Academy, impaling and ultimately killing herself. Queenie tries, but can't resurrect Zoe. Madison has the power to perform the resurrection, but refuses. By process of elimination, she believes she is the new Supreme. Fearing Madison as Supreme will be no different from Fiona, Myrtle convinces Cordelia to join the competition. Cordelia completes all the tests successfully while Madison fails at Divination. Cordelia brings back Zoe and is crowned Supreme. Myrtle later requests to again be burned alive for her dishonorable actions of murder. Kyle kills Madison for refusing to resurrect Zoe, and Spalding takes her body. Cordelia makes peace with her dying mother after inheriting her powers and title of Supreme. Fiona then joins the Axeman in her personal Hell where, as he informs her, they will spend the rest of eternity. At the end, Cordelia comes out to the public on television, informing people of the witches' Coven. Along with new Council members Zoe and Queenie, and the new house butler Kyle, she offers hope to young witches everywhere.

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.[14] 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."[15] In another interview, Murphy added that the season would be set in the modern day.[16]

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."[17]

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.[18] Jessica Lange, Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson all confirmed their returns. Murphy added that Lange would portray a "real glamour-cat lady",[16] whose name was later revealed to be Fiona Goode.[19] 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."[20] 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.[21] Lily Rabe and Frances Conroy portrayed series regulars Misty Day and Myrtle Snow, respectively.[21][22] Kathy Bates co-starred as Delphine LaLaurie, an evil woman from the past who tortures her slaves.[23] Murphy stated that Bates' character would be "five times worse than [her] Misery character" and is also inspired by a "true event".[24] It was reported on May 22, 2013 that Emma Roberts would co-star as Madison Montgomery, a difficult Hollywood starlet.[25]

In May 2013, Murphy announced via Twitter that Angela Bassett and Patti LuPone had joined the cast.[26] 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.'"[27] Gabourey Sidibe recurred throughout the season as Queenie, a young witch, whose prominent ability allows her to become a human voodoo doll.[28] First season actress Jamie Brewer recurred as Nan, a young witch who is clairvoyant.

In July and August 2013, Murphy announced through Twitter that first season alums Denis O'Hare and Alexandra Breckenridge had joined the cast in unknown roles, later known as Spalding and Kaylee, respectively.[29][30] Also in August, Murphy announced that Christine Ebersole would be playing a "Glinda the Good Witch-type of gal", who is Fiona's predecessor.[31] In an interview, Jessica Lange revealed that Mare Winningham had joined the cast as Peters' character's mother, Alicia Spencer.[32] Leslie Jordan announced that he had joined the cast as Quentin Fleming, a high-ranking witch.[33] 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".[34] 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,[35] in New Orleans, Louisiana.[36] "After two seasons shooting in Los Angeles, the series moves to [New Orleans] for its third season," writes the casting call. "Filming begins July 23, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana and completed on January 17, 2014."[37] Despite Ryan Murphy stating that the third season would take place in multiple cities,[16] New Orleans is the primary setting of the third installment.[17]

Reception

Reviews

American Horror Story: Coven has received positive reviews. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 81% approval rating, with an average rating of 7.1/10, based on 36 reviews. 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."[38] The season scored 71 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 24 reviews.[39]

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 Todd Van DerWerff remarking: "It lurched drunkenly from idea to idea, never settling on one long enough to build anything of worth."[40]

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, Coven's reputation will nonetheless remain a solid one."[41] 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."[42]

Awards and nominations

In its third season, the series was nominated for 73 awards, 13 of which were won.

Year Association Category Nominee(s) Result
2013 IGN's Best of 2013: TV[43] Best TV Horror Series American Horror Story: Coven Nominated
2014 4th Critics' Choice TV Awards Best Mini-Series Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Movie or Mini-Series Kathy Bates Nominated
Best Actress in a Movie or Mini-Series Jessica Lange Won
5th Dorian Awards[44] TV Performance of the Year – Actress Won
TV Drama of the Year American Horror Story: Coven Nominated
Campy TV Show of the Year Won
66th Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Miniseries Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special Ryan Murphy & Brad Falchuk (for "Bitchcraft") Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (for "Bitchcraft") Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Kathy Bates Won
Frances Conroy Nominated
Angela Bassett Nominated
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Sarah Paulson Nominated
Jessica Lange Won
66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Special Robert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson, Meagan Lewis Nominated
Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Lou Eyrich, Elizabeth Macey, Ken Van Duyne (for "Bitchcraft") Won
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Monte C. Haught, Michelle Ceglia, Yolanda Mercadel, Daina Daigle Won
Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Eryn Krueger Mekash, Kim Ayers, Vicki Vacca, Mike Mekash, Christopher Nelson, Lucy O'Reilly Nominated
Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Special James S. Levine (for "The Seven Wonders") Nominated
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Eryn Krueger Mekash, Mike Mekash, Christien Tinsley, Jason Hamer, Christopher Nelson, David L. Anderson, Cristina Patterson, Rob Freitas Nominated
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Gary Megregian, David Klotz, Timothy A. Cleveland, Paul Diller, Brian Thomas Nist, Steve M. Stuhr, Lance Wiseman, Noel Vought (for "Fearful Pranks Ensue") Nominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or Movie Bruce Litecky, Joe Earle, Doug Andham (for "Fearful Pranks Ensue") Nominated
Outstanding Art Direction for a Period Series, Miniseries or a Movie Mark Worthington, Andrew Murdock, Ellen Brill Nominated
71st Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Mini-Series or TV Film Jessica Lange Nominated
Best Mini-Series or TV Film American Horror Story: Coven Nominated
61st MPSE Golden Reel Awards[45][46] Best Sound Editing in TV – Short Form: Dialogue & ADR Episode: "Bitchcraft" Nominated
45th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a TV Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Gabourey Sidibe Nominated
Angela Bassett Nominated
18th Online Film & TV Association Awards[47] Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated
Kathy Bates Won
Frances Conroy Nominated
Lily Rabe Nominated
Gabourey Sidibe Nominated
Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Jessica Lange Nominated
Sarah Paulson Nominated
Best Miniseries American Horror Story: Coven Nominated
Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated
Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated
Best Music in a Non-Series Nominated
Best Editing in a Non-Series Nominated
Best Cinematography in a Non-Series Nominated
Best Production Design in a Non-Series Nominated
Best Costume Design in a Non-Series Won
Best Makeup/Hairstyling in a Non-Series Won
Best Sound in a Non-Series Nominated
Best Visual Effects in a Non-Series Won
Best New Titles Sequence Nominated
40th People's Choice Awards Favorite TV Movie/Miniseries Won
18th Satellite Awards Best TV Series – Genre Nominated
Best Actress – Miniseries or TV Film Jessica Lange Nominated
Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or TV Film Kathy Bates Nominated
40th Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on TV Nominated
Best Guest Starring Role on TV Danny Huston Nominated
Best Syndicated/Cable TV Series American Horror Story: Coven Nominated
Best Actress on TV Jessica Lange Nominated
20th Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
30th TCA Awards Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Mini-Series and Specials American Horror Story: Coven Nominated
54th Golden Nymph Awards[48][49] Best Actress in a Mini-Series Jessica Lange Nominated
Sarah Paulson Nominated
18th ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards TV Movie or Mini-Series Mark Worthington (for "Bitchcraft") Nominated
35th Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series - Guest Starring Young Actor 11-13 Toby Nichols Nominated
BET Awards 2014 Best Actress Angela Bassett Nominated
50th CAS Awards[50] Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing – TV Movie or Mini-Series Bruce Litecky, CAS (Production Mixer)
Joe Earle, CAS (Re-recording Mixer)
Doug Andham, CAS (Re-recording Mixer)
James S. Levine (Scoring Mixer)
Judah Getz (ADR Mixer)
Kyle Billingsley (Foley Mixer)
(for "The Replacements")		 Nominated
16th CDG Awards[51][52] Outstanding Made for TV Movie or Mini-Series Lou Eyrich Nominated
Make-up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards 2014[53][54] Mini-Series or TV Movie Period and/or Character Make-up Eryn Krueger Mekash, Christien Tinsley Nominated
Mini-Series or TV Movie Period and/or Character Hair Styling Monte C. Haught Nominated
51st ICG Publicists Awards[55] Maxwell Weinberg Campaign Award - TV Matthew Mitchell Won
TV Guide Awards 2012[56][57] Favorite Horror Show American Horror Story: Coven Nominated
Women's Image Network Awards 2014[58] Actress MFT Movie/Mini-Series Emma Roberts (for "The Dead") Nominated
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 (also for Freak Show) Nominated
30th Artios Awards[59] TV Movie or Mini-Series Robert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson, Carol Kritzer, Meagan Lewis (Location Casting), Eric Souliere (Associate) Nominated
Bram Stoker Award 2014[60] Superior Achievement in a Screenplay James Wong (for "The Magical Delights of Stevie Nicks") Nominated

Ratings

Coven'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.[1] It was surpassed by the fourth season's premiere, "Monsters Among Us", which received 6.13 million viewers during its broadcast.[61] 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.[62] 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".[12]

References

  1. 1 2 Kondolojy, Amanda (October 10, 2013). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Duck Dynasty' Beats 'American Horror Story: Coven' + MLB Baseball, 'Bad Ink', 'South Park' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  2. ↑ Bibel, Sara (October 17, 2013). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Duck Dynasty' Wins Night, 'American Horror Story', 'Bad Ink', 'Key & Peele','Top Chef' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  3. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (October 24, 2013). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Duck Dynasty' Leads Night + 'American Horror Story', 'South Park', 'Million Dollar Listing' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  4. ↑ Bibel, Sara (October 31, 2013). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Wins Night, 'South Park', 'Key & Peele', 'Ghost Hunters', 'Preachers of LA' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  5. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (November 7, 2013). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Tops Night + 'South Park', 'Key & Peele', NBA Basketball & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  6. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (November 14, 2013). "Wednesday Cable Ratings:'American Horror Story' Wins Night, 'South Park', 'Key & Peele','Extreme Cheapskates' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  7. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (November 21, 2013). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Wins Night + 'South Park', NBA Basketball, 'American Pickers' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  8. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (December 5, 2013). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Leads Night + 'South Park', 'American Pickers', College Basketball & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  9. ↑ Bibel, Sara (December 12, 2013). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Duck Dynasty' Wins Night, 'American Horror Story', 'South Park', 'Rodeo Girls', 'Key & Peele' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  10. ↑ Bibel, Sara (January 9, 2014). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Wins Night, 'My Strange Addiction', 'Psych', 'Real World Ex-Plosion' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  11. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (January 16, 2014). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Duck Dynasty' Tops Night + 'American Horror Story', 'Crazy Hearts: Nashville', & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  12. 1 2 Bibel, Sara (January 23, 2014). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Duck Dynasty' Wins Night, 'American Horror Story', 'Wahlburgers', 'Workaholics', 'Psych' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  13. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (January 30, 2014). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Duck Dynasty' Wins Night + 'American Horror Story', NBA Basketball, 'Wahlburgers' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  14. ↑ Stack, Tim (January 2, 2013). "'American Horror Story': The secret to season 3 is in tonight's episode – EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  15. ↑ Stack, Tim (January 3, 2013). "'American Horror Story': Ryan Murphy on this week's major character deaths and hints about season 3 – EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  16. 1 2 3 "American Horror Story Season 3 to Take Place in Multiple Cities; First Plot Details Revealed!". TVweb.com. January 18, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  17. 1 2 Jaimie Etkin & Laura Prudom (August 2, 2013). "'American Horror Story: Coven': Marie Laveau Played By Angela Bassett; Sarah Paulson Will Play Jessica Lange's Daughter". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  18. ↑ Harnick, Chris (November 15, 2012). "'American Horror Story' Renewed: FX Orders Season 3 With Jessica Lange". The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  19. ↑ Stack, Tim (September 13, 2013). "'American Horror Story': See Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett in 'Coven,' plus plot details -- EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  20. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (June 11, 2013). "Emmys: Sarah Paulson on the Tortures of Being on 'American Horror Story'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  21. 1 2 Goldberg, Lesley (February 7, 2013). "'American Horror Story' Adds Frances Conroy, Taissa Farmiga for Season 3". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  22. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (January 31, 2013). "'American Horror Story': Lily Rabe Returning for Season 3". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  23. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (February 26, 2013). "Exclusive: American Horror Story Season 3 Pits Jessica Lange Against... Kathy Bates!". TV Line. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  24. ↑ Masters, Megan (February 27, 2013). "American Horror Story Scoop: Ryan Murphy Teases Kathy Bates' Turn as a 'Bad, Bad Woman!'". TV Line. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  25. ↑ Webb Mitovich, Matt (May 22, 2013). "Emma Roberts Joins FX's 'American Horror Story'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  26. ↑ Stack, Tim (May 13, 2013). "'American Horror Story': Angela Bassett and Patti LuPone join season 3's 'Coven'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Patti LuPone Dishes on American Horror Story, Gypsy & More at NYPL Event". Broadway.com. June 4, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  28. ↑ Keveney, Bill (April 29, 2013). "Gabourey Sidibe joins 'American Horror Story: Coven'". USA Today. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  29. ↑ Webb Mitovich, Matt (July 27, 2013). "Horror Story Vet Denis O’Hare Joins Coven". TVLine. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  30. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (August 2, 2013). "'American Horror Story': Alexandra Breckenridge Returns for 'Coven'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  31. ↑ Hetrick, Adam (August 15, 2013). "Christine Ebersole Joins Cast of "American Horror Story: Coven"". Playbill. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  32. ↑ Villarreal, Yvonne (August 23, 2013). "'American Horror Story': Live chat with Jessica Lange today". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  33. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (August 28, 2013). "'American Horror Story: Coven' Adds Funnyman Leslie Jordan". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  34. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (September 5, 2013). "'American Horror Story: Coven' & 'Horizon' Add To Casts". Deadline.com. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  35. ↑ "American Horror Story Season 3 Supports New Orleans Film Industry With Crew, Casting Call: Coven Cast Travel To Louisiana To Begin Shooting". kpopstarz.com. July 16, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  36. ↑ Prudom, Laura (March 15, 2013). "'American Horror Story: Coven': Kathy Bates To Star In Season 3, Featuring Witches And Filming In New Orleans". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  37. ↑ "American Horror Story Season 3 Plot Spoilers? Casting Info Reveals Potential Character Storyline, Confirms Coven Shooting Schedule". kpopstarz.com. July 23, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  38. ↑ "American Horror Story: Coven (0-0)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  39. ↑ "American Horror Story: Season 3". Metacritic. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  40. ↑ VanDerWerff, Todd (January 29, 2013). "American Horror Story: "The Seven Wonders"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  41. ↑ Stern, Alec (February 4, 2014). "'American Horror Story' wraps successful, psychotic season". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  42. ↑ Jensen, Jeff (February 5, 2014). "American Horror Story: Coven". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Best TV Horror Series". IGN. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  44. ↑ "Past Winners". Dorian Awards. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  45. ↑ "2014 Golden Reel Awards Nominee: BEST SOUND EDITING IN TELEVISION: SHORT FORM: DIALOGUE & ADR" (PDF). Motion Picture Sound Editors. MPSE. mpse.info. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  46. ↑ "Complete list of 2014 Golden Reel award winners". Los Angeles Times. February 16, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  47. ↑ "TV Awards - 2013/2014 (18th Awards)". Online Film & Television Association. OFTA. ofta.cinemasight.com. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  48. ↑ "Complete list of 2014 Golden Reel award winners". Premiere. April 16, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  49. ↑ "Top of the Lake takes clean sweep at Monte Carlo's Golden Nymph Awards". The Sydney Morning Herald. June 12, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  50. ↑ "50th CAS Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for 2013". Cinema Audio Society. CAS. cinemaaudiosociety.org. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  51. ↑ Barnes, Bronwyn (January 8, 2014). "'Catching Fire,' 'Breaking Bad' among nominees for 16th Costume Designers Guild Awards". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  52. ↑ "And the winners are. . .". Costume Designers Guild. CDG. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  53. ↑ Semien, Amos (January 24, 2014). "Make-up Artists-Hair Stylists Announce 2014 MUAHS Award Nominations". Negromancer 2.0. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  54. ↑ Semien, Amos (February 18, 2014). "2014 Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Award Winners". Negromancer 2.0. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  55. ↑ "Publicists Guild Awards Winners Announced". Deadline.com. February 28, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  56. ↑ "TV Guide Awards". IMDb. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  57. ↑ "Fan Favorites Awards 2014". TV Guide. December 4, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  58. ↑ "Women's Image Network Awards". IMDb. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  59. ↑ "30TH ARTIOS AWARDS WINNERS". Casting Society of America. CSA. January 22, 2015. castingsociety.com. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  60. ↑ "Bram Stoker Award® Winner". Horror Writers Association. HWA. May 10, 2015. horror.org. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  61. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (October 9, 2014). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Tops Night + 'South Park' 'Teen Mom II', 'The Daily Show, 'Key & Peele' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  62. ↑ Hibberd, James (October 17, 2013). "'American Horror Story: Coven' ratings spell slips in Week 2". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 1, 2015.

External links

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