American Horror Story 13: Orlando Jones teases Papa Legba’s return

[This story contains spoilers from episode 10 of American Horror Story season 13, “The Prodigal Son.”]

Among the many returning characters American Horror Story: 13 Papa is Legba, with Orlando Jones taking over the role originally introduced in the third season of the horror anthology series, clan, and season eight, apocalypse, Played by Lance Reddick, who died in 2023.

Jones knew playing the gatekeeper to the spirit world was no easy task and took over the role from his friend Reddick. “Lance is one of them,” Jones explains. Hollywood Reporter. Still, as a superfan of the franchise created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, the veteran actor was already excited for the challenge.

But this time, Papa is in an unusual situation: he’s become an ally of the Coven and the main source of information about the plans of Satan (aka Mister Nass, played by Paul Anthony Kelly), a major demonic threat, and how they can stop him from causing the end of the world. The plan in question: Satan plans to leave Earth when his son, Ben (Joey Pollari), claims his throne. So the witches must find the son to stop him from accepting this role. However, Ben finds them first, as episode 10 ends with Ben arriving at the Coven’s doorstep.

Below, Jones explains whether Papa can be trusted, the behind-the-scenes prosthetics, makeup and hair process behind his transformation, how “magical” it is to be on set with the Coven women, especially with the return of Jessica Lange, his thoughts on the fate of the witches and much more.

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The late Lance Reddick originally played Papa Legba, and he made a memorable impression in the role. How did you think about stepping into this character, and did you feel any responsibility to honor his performance while making it your own?

I mean, respect his performance? Probably not. Lance was a friend of mine, so we got a chance to talk about him playing this role at the same time as I was playing it mr nancy At SCAD in Atlanta. I think Lance is one of them. There’s no way for me to be Lance Reddick; He is amazing. But I am also one of them. And you are one of them. So I approach most things with that particular perspective – I’m going to bring myself to that. That’s all I can bring. I don’t have the ability to bring anything else.

There was some trepidation, especially because I hadn’t read the material beforehand. I had auditioned with Lance’s stuff and met with casting, and I obviously got the role, but I didn’t know anything yet. So until I read it, I didn’t know what to think. Then when I did it, I was like, “Oh, it can’t be like that at all.” Lance was still very handsome, and I like him a lot. But this father is excited from the beginning. I mean, first of all, you all took Fiona Good (Lang) from hell. what is that about? Apparently, there is a loophole with the backdoor? Why is she trying to make me irrelevant? He is angry from the beginning! And then realize that there is some conversation left to do.

I think it’s mainly because he knows what’s going to happen, and he’s affiliated with Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett). If Satan wins his bet, his role as gatekeeper becomes irrelevant. So, suddenly it made sense, when I got the pages, the world and where they were going with it, I felt, Oh, this is going to be a lot of fun. I’m going to create a real Haitian spirit. I can’t wait!

The overall look of your makeup and hair has changed amazingly. Take me through the process of making it. How long did it take to get into the character? What does that change involve?

This is so much fun. It’s like a little flashback for me madtv Days because no one does prosthetics anymore and a whole nine days. All of this takes about three to three and a half hours, and there are a lot of pieces to it that you might not suspect. Besides face paint, contacts and teeth, I also have another layer of skin on my hands so you can take a look at my hands along with my nails. I also have a piece under my neck, so we can age that skin as well. Next comes the wig and hat, down as far as we can take it, almost migraine mode as I call it (laughing)Because it looks best when it’s pulled all the way down. There are three people putting me together. Then pants, shoes and cane and of course, the last is the cape. All this is the complete regalia of Papa Legba.

The deal involving Cowen has huge consequences for them. Should fans be worried about what Papa Legba ultimately expects in return? Can the witches really trust him as an ally, or is there something to him, making him yet another rival?

Given the end of the world, which of the two evils is the greater? I think Papa has already demonstrated that he has an ally in Mary, and that he has an affinity for witches. I know he doesn’t want Satan to necessarily win because otherwise, why would he be helping the way he is helping? The most important question is about their relevance. He wants to close that loophole. He must not allow Satan to overpower him, for it is this very difference that is the way of escape. He is no longer relevant. They might hope he would want something for himself, but I don’t think he would want something that would be harmful to witches. This is my two cents, but Ryan may have a completely different perspective. (Laughs.)

I am not aware of what agenda he is pursuing at this time. People’s agendas obviously change depending on the circumstances. So, who knows what circumstances might activate it that way. But right now, [he’s thinking]: : Why is Mary outside? And you guys need Mary’s help to get what you want. I can get you there, but the competition is truly yours here. Most importantly, you guys are being very careless about the impending situation. So, if you can get your work together and focus, it will really help a lot. (Laughs.) Right now, I think that’s what he’s really trying to tell them. Like, if you’re going to do something, of now Time!

Besides, they’ve already been through it. They already know what the consequences will be if they don’t stop him. In this iteration of the story, she has already stopped Michael Langdon. It’s kind of a second Michael Langdon, if you think about the danger of it, at least I think I’m reading it that way. But I feel like the real danger is already knocking on the door at the end of episode 10.

Do you know how this season ends? Do you get scripts for all the episodes?

I get scripts for the episodes I am in. I know how this season will end, but I think it was because of the closeness.

What can you tease about the rest of the season?

I don’t know if I can tease anything. Also, I’m a literal 14 year old fangirl. i loved clan And asylum, Although the first one, [Murder House]Still in my heart, expert. I’m a little in love in terms of the number of fans. So all my expectations are about how my ships work and who I ship and who I don’t. So my hopes have no meaning. I am in the world of fan fiction. I’m reading fan fiction on A03 American Horror Story Now. I am a crazy person.

Were you there to hear Jessica Lange’s iconic “naughty pine” line?

Girl, wait! yes of course! The line I wanted is “Naughty Pine” or “Balenciaga.” But “Naughty Pine” is one. I love Jessica Lange. I completely agree with King Kong that he should have been chased through the streets of New York. He should have destroyed New York trying to get it. All those tracks. She was very sweet and kind to me. All the women were amazing.

It was a surreal set because I’ve worked with different people, and I know Angela and Emma. [Roberts]But when you say action, and everyone goes into witch mode, it just feels different. It’s kind of magical, I must say.

There was also a big reveal that Mallory (Billie Lourd) could be the next Supreme. What was your reaction to that, and if it happened, would Papa really be able to help Cordelia?

It’s such an interesting triangle of three supremes existing at the same time, which is a threat. I’m just curious to see how it’s going to play out and which Supreme she might support or lean toward, because Mallory as the next Supreme is interesting to me, but supporting Fiona. The original God has not only not gone away; We all know he made a deal. So I’m not sure she’s going away. I am not sure. I don’t know. All I know is, in previous fan stories and fan fiction American Horror StoryThe three Supremes are not considered a thing. So that’s what impressed me about it. When I saw him, I said, “Oh, wow! You could be the next Supreme. There’s a current Supreme here, and the old Supreme is here. I immediately said, “Someone’s going to die!” That was my bet. (Laughs.) But I was like, “I don’t know if it’s right. I don’t know if it’s wrong.” My initial reaction was: “You three and Mary, what’s going to happen next?”

Can you clarify: How did Ben come face to face with the Coven?

I think Ben confronts Coven with his father after realizing that, one, Satan is his father, but two, he’s not going to be able to walk away from the role that his father has set for him. I think he’s showing up for Cowen, we’ll get to see what his approval is or isn’t because his dad has been very clear that this is the roadmap. Now I, along with other viewers, are curious to see how it will pan out. He still seems to be torn between the belief that he can be good and that he can somehow get out of this dilemma he is trapped in.

But I know what is happening, but I am not a part of it. I am not an agent of Satan.

Do you think there’s a chance, or would you like to reprise this character in another season? ahs?

Absolutely. Yes, I had a great time. He had a lot to say – very talkative. (Laughs.) Also, no one has heard a Haitian accent. When I was looking for famous Haitian actors I thought this was very strange; I thought, wow, there aren’t really any famous Haitian actors who speak their native tongue. Jimmy John Lewis was the most famous actor I found – one of the stars Heroes. So I was excited about it too; The way they approach language is very interesting. This is a very beautiful language. I would love to do this. I’m a huge fan of Ryan Murphy and I’d do anything to be around Sarah Paulson. And if you give me Sara, Angela Bassett, Jessica Lange, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, yes! There is no reason for me not to come.

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new episodes of AHS: 13 Premieres Thursday at 9pm ET/PT on FX and at 9pm PT on Hulu, until the finale on Thursday, October 29. read all of THR’s Season coverage here, including an explanation of how all the PF seasons connect.