American Horror Story: Freak Show has just snagged the world’s smallest woman for a recurring role for the upcoming season. Throughout the other seasons of American Horror Story , creator Ryan Murphy has had a penchant for including people who might seem like they’re on the fringes of what’s considered “normal” in society. While some will argue that Murphy has straddled the line between creating character driven stories and exploiting them, he still has a show on his hands that is fresh in its fourth season.
For the fourth season of American Horror Story , The Wrap reports that Murphy has included 20-year-old Jyoti Amge. Jyoti currently holds the Guinness Book of World Records for being the world’s smallest woman. In an announcement on Twitter, Murphy shared a photo of star Jessica Lange holding Jyoti Amge, both grinning from ear to ear.
So why has he decided to pluck Jyoti out for American Horror Story ? Well, this season’s theme is titled “Freak Show.” The FX show promises that this season will center around characters with “oddities” as a riff of the freak shows that used to happen in the 16th century. People with deformities or “freaks of nature” as they were known as back then, were included in shows and received attention by appearing in traveling shows.
Jessica and our newest cast member Jyoti Amge…the world’s smallest woman. pic.twitter.com/SIPhd4V0pQ
— Ryan Murphy (@MrRPMurphy) August 13, 2014
Since American Horror Story loves to focus on folklore, the Freak Show era will probably suit season four. Here’s what we know about the upcoming season. It will follow Jessica Lange’s German ex-pat who is the leader of the last surviving freak show in America. Although much of the cast from the other seasons is returning, we only have a few confirmations on other characters. Actor Michael Chiklis is set to play a strongman who is married to Angela Bassett’s character. It’s also rumored that there will be a bearded lady, but we don’t know which member of the cast will take that one on. Sarah Paulson will play conjoined twins Dot and Bette.
Dot and Bette’s first day pic.twitter.com/ZKFS1pEGed
— Ryan Murphy (@MrRPMurphy) July 17, 2014
The actress teased early on that she would be playing conjoined twins before an official photo was released.
So excited to be playing Bette AND Dot this season. Two heads are better than one! #AHSFREAKSHOW pic.twitter.com/jdZJSPercn
— Sarah Paulson (@MsSarahPaulson) June 12, 2014
As for Jyoti, she stands at two feet one inches due to a genetic disorder called Achondropplasia. American Horror Story: Freak Show is her first acting gig. Other new additions to the cast include Patti LaBelle, Wes Bentley, and Finn Wittrock.
[Image via FX]