After making a splash as John F. Kennedy Jr. in FX's "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette," Paul Anthony Kelly has officially landed his next major role. FX announced on Tuesday, May 12, that Kelly, 37, has joined the cast of the 13th season of "American Horror Story," which premieres this fall on FX and Hulu.
The casting reveal came during The Walt Disney Company's annual Upfront presentation in New York, where longtime "American Horror Story" stars including Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Gabourey Sidibe, Billie Lourd, and Emma Roberts appeared onstage. The stars were flanked by hooded Druids before Kelly emerged from the shadows, adding a new and fresh blood to the series.
"I guess every nightmare needs fresh blood...and thirteen's my lucky number," Kelly teased during his surprise appearance.
The upcoming season marks Kelly's first major role since starring as JFK Jr. opposite Sarah Pidgeon in "Love Story," which chronicled the romance between Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in the years leading up to their tragic 1999 plane crash deaths.
In April, Kelly hinted to PEOPLE that another project was already in the works, though he remained tight-lipped at the time. "I just signed on to something that I'm very excited about," Kelly told PEOPLE at Disney's Toast to Television event on April 27. "I can't say anything yet." He also admitted he was eager to tackle a very different kind of role after portraying the beloved Kennedy heir. "I really want to play a villain," Kelly said.
Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, "American Horror Story" has become one of FX's most successful franchises since its debut in 2011, earning more than 100 Emmy nominations over the years. The upcoming installment will "do justice to everyone's most feared number" and feature several fan-favorite cast members reprising iconic roles from previous seasons, according to FX.
Kelly's breakout casting in "Love Story" almost didn't happen. Executive producers Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson previously revealed to PEOPLE that the search for the perfect JFK Jr. became so desperate that the creative team began approaching people "on the street" and "at the gym." "We'd seen every male actor between the age of 25 and 38," Simpson recalled. The producers said Kelly ultimately stood out because he embodied an "old-school masculinity" they felt had become rare. "It was just clear that he was JFK," Simpson said.
All previous seasons of "American Horror Story" are now streaming on Hulu.
