Is Constance Actually Elsa Mars? 'AHS 13's Jessica Lange Theory, Explained
American Horror Story: 13 (2011) dropped its first three episodes last week, leaving fans reeling. In the lead-up to the season, little was revealed about the plot. The only real tease was the returning cast and the characters they’d be reprising. One of the most anticipated familiar faces is the iconic and immensely talented Jessica Lange, who starred in the first season of American Horror Story more than a decade ago. She went on to play in three more seasons of the anthology series: Asylum, Coven, and Freak Show.
It’s already confirmed that Lange will play at least four characters in AHS 13, which tracks with her history on the show. However, as the first three episodes of the new season reveal, the truth about which character Lange is currently playing is more complicated than it seems. The logical answer is that she’s reprising her Murder House character: Constance Langdon. The reality is that there seems to be a lot more at play.
Who Is Jessica Lange Playing in the First Three Episodes of 'AHS 13'?
All of these characters returning and interacting push aside any real hope for continuity. However, AHS 13’s first few episodes suggest that a break from canon may be intentional. After all, Constance Langdon is bound to Murder House. The only other time the show revisits the character is in Apocalypse, and Constance is still there. So, when AHS 13 picks up with Constance as a caretaker for a mysterious (and recognizably unhuman) Mr. Nas in a New York City hotel called the Apollyon, that proves that something else is happening.
For all intents and purposes, Constance shouldn’t be there. But she is, and she is doing everything she can to make sure Mr. Nas, who I am nearly certain will at some point become Paul Anthony Kelly, is taken care of and reaches 100 years old. Her effort includes hiring Ben (Joey Pollari) as a night-time caretaker of Mr. Nas. Constance’s interactions with him (and a few other characters) tease that Lange is also reprising her Freak Show character, Elsa Mars.
The German phrases and reference to being a candy striper aren’t relevant to Constance Langdon, after all, but they do come out of her mouth without any confusion from Constance. Then again, Constance also references her children as being “alive and thriving” before later acknowledging the truth: They’re dead. Constance even tells Addie Langdon (Jamie Brewer), “And who knew a little dirt nap would be so beneficial to a young girl’s complexion?”
Essentially, there are mixed signals and blurred lines on the page and in Jessica Lange’s performance. She is so skilled that she makes those contradictions seamless. But what do they mean? The first three episodes reveal that the Apollyon is Club Hell, a portal to hell. Before sending her son Tate (Evan Peters) there, Constance says, “You do your part down there, and there’s a special place for us in the future.” Adding, “Sacrifices must be made.” Is Constance’s part of this afterlife plan everything she’s doing for Mr. Nas? Maybe!
But how does that connect to what looks to be Jessica Lange playing multiple characters at the same time? The answer hasn’t been revealed; this season is only getting started. The unanswered questions make the viewing experience more engaging and fun (as of now). Interestingly, Sarah Paulson has already reprised two characters: Coven’s Cordelia Goode and Apocalypse’s Wilhelmina Venable. Also, Evan Peters plays Murder House’s Tate Langdon and Cult’s Kai Anderson in the same scenes. Perhaps the answer is that Lange is (rightfully so) AHS 13’s version of Marvel’s Nexus Beings: There’s only one of her.
