Creator Ryan Murphy reveals the new season will take place at an East Coast mental institution.
By Jocelyn Vena

Dylan McDermott in "American Horror Story"
Photo: FX

New place, new time, new characters. That's what fans already know about the second season of "American Horror Story," but now creator Ryan Murphy is dishing even more details.

Speaking at a TV Academy panel Wednesday (April 19), Murphy confirmed that the second season in the series will, in fact, take place at a mental institution on the East Coast, as had been rumored. That institution will be run by season-one fan favorite Jessica Lange, who will return as a spankin'-new character. According to Murphy, that locale was teased by Sarah Paulson's medium character in the first season.

"Something that Sarah Paulson's character, Billie Dean, says to Jessica and Taisa as she's sage-ing the house [during the 'Birth' episode] and talking about places where evil collects: We talk about institutions and prisons and things like that," Murphy said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "That was the clue."

Paulson is also set to return to the show, playing someone new, as well as Zachary Quinto, Evan Peters and Lily Rabe.

While season one was set in the present, Murphy hinted that season two will take place in another time. "It's a completely different world and has nothing to do with season one; there's not a mention of season one," he noted at the event, where he was joined by past castmates Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, Alexandra Breckenridge and Denis O'Hare, most of whom met tragic fates in season one. But he added that some of those actors may also return in some form.

In addition to some old faces, Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine has been added to the cast, playing one-half of "The Lovers." French actress Lizzie Brochere has also joined the cast, potentially playing a nemesis to Lange's character. The new season will kick off later this year on FX.

What are you expecting from season two of "American Horror Story"? Share your theories in the comments!