As "American Horror Story: Freak Show" gets closer to its premiere date, every clue counts for fans of the FX hit.

Last week, Ryan Murphy, "American Horror Story" creator and keeper of all the show's secrets, spoke with Entertainment Weekly's InsideTV Podcast. Murphy spent most of the time dishing on his new HBO movie "The Normal Heart," but he did sneak some "Freak Show" details in as well.

"I'm so excited for 'Freak Show,'" he said. "It's about a group of people ... who are the last existing freak show in America ... [and are] desperate to stay together."

According to Murphy, season four is a "super scary thrill ride." He added that, although he originally thought "Freak Show" would be a bit light-hearted like "Coven," it's turning out to be more similar to the darker tone of "Asylum."

TV Guide has reported that actress Sarah Paulson will be playing a freak this season. Murphy wouldn't reveal what kind of freak Paulson portrays exactly, but he did reveal that she will go through some "physical rigors."

"[Paulson's character] is the most challenging character I've ever created," Murphy said. "I'm nervous for Sarah."

Topping Paulson's past characters will be pretty tough. The actress recently shared what her most challenging "American Horror Story" moments have been thus far.

"I would say in season two, it was twofold: One, when I had to simulate performing an abortion on myself, and two, playing a 75-year-old woman," she told The Hollywood Reporter. "That was very hard. And it was very important to me to kind of hold on to who the character of Lana Winters was as an older person, not just go into a kind of caricature. Also, I had the crazy makeup on that was terrifying."

The next chapter of "American Horror Story" premieres in October and takes place in the1950s in Jupiter, Florida. Murphy also confirmed that the new season will feature "our version" of the bearded lady and a character called Clown Killer. Season four will be Jessica Lange's last, and she will play a German woman managing the freak show. Angela Bassett will play a freak (but not the bearded lady). According to TV Guide, Evan Peters and Kathy Bates will also play freaks. Denis O'Hare revealed that he plays "a collector of freaks." In late March, Murphy announced the addition of new cast member Michael Chiklis as Bates' ex-husband and Peters' father.
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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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