Seth Gabel returns to portray Jeffrey Dahmer in "American Horror Story: 13," the newest season of Ryan Murphy's horror anthology series. Gabel previously played the serial killer in "American Horror Story: Coven," where his character's storyline ended on a cliffhanger that remains unresolved.
The new season marks a reunion between Gabel and Evan Peters, who famously portrayed Dahmer in the first season of Murphy's "Monster" anthology series. Both actors will bring their interpretations of the real-life serial killer to the franchise, though details about how their portrayals will interact or be distinguished remain unclear.
The casting decision connects multiple projects within Murphy's expanding horror and true-crime universe. "American Horror Story" has established itself as a platform for exploring notorious criminals and supernatural narratives, with each season operating as a standalone story while occasionally referencing or connecting to previous installments. The show's anthology format allows the franchise to revisit characters across different seasons and contexts.
Gabel's return addresses the unresolved narrative from "Coven," which aired in 2013. His Dahmer character remained in limbo following that season's conclusion, making his involvement in season 13 a significant callback for longtime fans of the series. The specific nature of how his storyline will be resolved or expanded has not been detailed.
Peters' involvement with the Dahmer character stems from his lead role in "Monster: Dahmer," which focused on the serial killer's crimes and psychology. His transition to the "American Horror Story" universe alongside Gabel creates an unusual scenario where the same character is portrayed by multiple actors within the Murphy production ecosystem.
"American Horror Story: 13" continues the franchise's tradition of blending horror elements with real-world criminal narratives. The season's focus on Dahmer reflects the ongoing cultural interest in serialized true-crime storytelling across television and streaming platforms.