Ahead of the fourth season premiere next month, FX has unveiled a batch of new American Horror Story: Freak Show images.  Ryan Murphy’s anthology series returns with a new setting, hook, and cast of characters, this time focusing on the carnies of a traveling freak show in 1952 Florida.  These images give us a close-up look at Kathy Bates as the Bearded Lady, Michael Chiklis as the Strong Man, and plenty more additions to the ensemble.  This anthology format has been a suitable outlet for Murphy, who tends to expend all of his creative energy in a short amount of time.  Even so, portions of AHS seasons in the past have felt too crowded and overloaded at times.  My hope is that the Freak Show story will be a bit more streamlined this year, but regardless, seeing a bearded Kathy Bates and a two-headed Sarah Paulson should be quite entertaining.

Hit the jump to check out the new American Horror Story: Freak Show images and a disturbing new poster.  The series also stars Jessica Lange, Evan Peters, Angela Basset, Emma Roberts, Denis O’Hare, Frances Conroy, Patti LaBelle, Finn Wittrock, Naomi Grossman, and John Caroll LynchAmerican Horror Story: Freak Show premieres on FX on October 8th.

Images and poster via FX.

American Horror Story: Freak Show Images Poster