FX has announced the fall premiere dates for the fifth season of American Horror Story, the second season of Fargo, and the debut of Kurt Sutter's The Bastard Executioner. Additionally, FX also renewed The Strain, moved Archer to FXX, and ordered two new comedy series. As for the aforementioned premiere dates, here they are in brief, followed by more on each series below:

  • American Horror Story: Hotel - The Emmy and Golden Globe-winning horror anthology from creators Brad Falchuk and Ryan Murphy premieres Wednesday, October 7th at 10pm ET/PT.
  • Fargo - Season two of the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning Minnesota Not-So-Nice limited series premieres Monday, October 12th at 10pm ET/PT.
  • The Bastard Executioner - Sutter's new drama centering on a warrior knight (Lee Jones) will debut on Tuesday, September 15th at 10pm ET/PT.

That's a pretty solid dramatic lineup to get you through at least the first half of the work week starting this fall. More details on each of the shows, plus a look at some new images from them, continue below.


the-bastard-executioner-image-lee-jones
Image via FX

The Bastard Executioner

The Bastard Executioner is a blood-soaked, medieval epic that tells the story of Wilkin Brattle (Lee Jones), a 14th century warrior, whose life is forever changed when a divine messenger beseeches him to lay down his sword and lead the life of another man: a journeyman executioner. Set in northern Wales during a time rife with rebellion and political upheaval, Wilkin must walk a tight rope between protecting his true identity while also serving a mysterious destiny. Guided by Annora (Katey Sagal), a mystical healer whose seeming omniscience keeps Wilkin under her sway; manipulated by Milus Corbett (Stephen Moyer), a devious Chamberlain with grand political aspirations; and driven by a deepening connection with the Baroness Lady Love Ventris (Flora Spencer-Longhurst), Wilkin struggles to navigate political, emotional and supernal pitfalls in his quest to understand his greater purpose.

 

The first 10-episode season of The Bastard Executioner also features series regulars Kurt Sutter, Sam Spruell, Darren Evans, Danny Sapani, Timothy V. Murphy, Sarah White, Sarah Sweeney, Elen Rhys, Ethan Griffiths and guest star Matthew Rhys.


american-horror-story-hotel-poster

American Horror Story: Hotel

The creatives behind-the-scenes have been pretty tight-lipped about the plot so far, but in order to get caught up on what we know at this moment, take a look at our recent coverage:

The 13-episode fifth installment of American Horror Story: Hotel features an all-star cast of Lady Gaga, Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Wes Bentley, Matt Bomer, Chloë Sevigny, Denis O’Hare, Cheyenne Jackson, Evan Peters and Finn Wittrock.


fargo-season-2-image-ted-danson-patrick-wilson
Image via FX

Fargo

In the 10-episode second installment, the all new “true crime” case of Fargo’s new chapter travels back to 1979 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Luverne, Minnesota. “Lou Solverson” (Patrick Wilson), a young State Trooper recently back from Vietnam, investigates a case involving a local crime gang, a major Mob syndicate and a small town beautician “Peggy Blumquist” (Kirsten Dunst) and her husband “Ed” (Jesse Plemons), the local butcher’s assistant. Helping Lou piece things together is his father-in-law, “Sheriff Hank Larsson” (Ted Danson).

 

The investigation will lead them to a colorful cast of characters that includes “Karl Weathers” (Nick Offerman), the town lawyer of Luverne, Minnesota. A Korean War vet, Karl is a flowery drunk blessed with the gift of gab and the eloquence of a true con artist. Three-time Emmy winner Brad Garrett will play “Joe Bulo,” the front man for the northern expansion of a Kansas City crime syndicate. The new face of corporate crime, Joe’s bringing a Walmart mentality to small town America. His number two is “Mike Milligan” (Bokeem Woodbine). Part enforcer, part detective, Mike is always smiling – but the joke is usually on you. Bulo and his crew have their sights set on the Gerhardt crime family in Fargo, currently led by matriarch “Floyd Gerhardt” (Jean Smart). With her husband at death’s door, Floyd takes over the family business, frustrating her eldest son, “Dodd Gerhardt” (Jeffrey Donovan). An impatient hothead with a cruel streak to match his ambitions, Dodd can’t wait for both his parents to die so he can take over and expand their business from kingdom to empire. “Bear Gerhardt” (Angus Sampson) is the middle son, an intimidatingly large man who, although inarticulate, is the most decent of his clan. “Rye Gerhardt” (Kieran Culkin), the youngest of the Gerhardt family, views himself as a big shot, but in reality he’s just a small dog who barks big.

american-horror-story-hotel-poster