Who Is ‘AHS’s Michael Langdon? Cody Fern’s ‘Apocalypse’ Antichrist, Explained

It’s the end of the world as Ryan Murphy knows it. Last night marked the premiere of American Horror Story: Apocalypse, the anthology’s first crossover season that’s incidentally set at the end of the world. There was lots of craziness in this first episode — radiation poisoning, bombs, Victorian gowns, cannibalism. But the most shocking moment in this story’s first chapter may low-key be its ending which saw the return of a character you already know — Michael Langdon. AHS: Murder House and AHS: Coven spoilers ahead. 

Though FX’s anthology series has been on the air for seven seasons, the twist in Murder House still remains one of the creepiest loose ends the show has ever concocted. After spending an entire season fretting about Vivien’s pregnancy and forcing Connie Britton to eat all sorts of disgusting organs, Murder House concluded by teasing the possibility that her child was the actual antichrist. The horrific villain was never addressed again — until now. Below is your guide to everything you need to know about AHS‘ newest actor Cody Fern, how you know hime, and how Michael Langdon relates to American Horror Story‘s disturbing future.

What happened to Michael Langdon?

One of the most horrific parts of Murder House naturally had to do with Tate (Evan Peters), the house’s school  shooter disguised as a charming ghost. After the Harmon family moved in Tate started to romance the Harmons’ teenage daughter Violet (Taissa Farmiga). Things were going swimmingly with them. That was until Tate donned a gimp suit and raped his girlfriend’s Vivien, who believed she was having kinky sex with her husband.

This caused the already-pregnant Vivien to become pregnant with twins — one fathered by her husband, and one fathered by Tate. By the end of Murder House almost all of the Harmons die. Violet dies by suicide, Ben (Dylan McDermott) is murdered by the ghost of his mistress, and Vivien dies during childbirth along with their baby Jeffrey. The only one who survives is the other twin who was fathered by Tate, Michael Langdon. According to psychic Billie Dean Howard (Sarah Paulson), a baby born under the conditions Michael endured is destined to be the antichrist.

Constance (Jessica Lange) eventually adopted Michael. But the final moments of Murder House proved that this story doesn’t have a happy ending. Constance’s fear that Michael was born evil are confirmed when she finds her grandson smiling in a rocking chair after having killed his nanny. Yes, he’s actually the antichrist, and yes this is incredibly important.

How are Jessica Lange and Evan Peters connected to Cody Fern’s character?

They’re both heavily involved in Michael’s story. Evan Peters’ Tate is Michael’s ghostly father. However, his status as a ghost makes him incapable of leaving Murder House. Jessica Lange’s Constance is his biological grandmother who kidnaps him. Both Evans and Lange have signed on to Season 8, and it’s been confirmed that both will be reprising their roles as Tate and Constance.

What did Michael Langdon do in the premiere of AHS: Apocalypse?

The end of “The End” sees the residents of Outpost 8 in a really bad place. After a bomb goes off, causing World War III, an organization called the Cooperative herds the richest of the rich and those subjects who are genetically most likely to survive into bunkers. But as time passes, Outpost 8’s supplies run low. The head of the outpost, Mrs. Venable (Sarah Paulson), knows that they won’t last long.

That’s when Michael Langdon and his glorious mane of hair appears. He tells Mrs. Venable that everyone is going to die. Their only chance is to come with him, but he insists that he will only bring those who are most worthy. Mrs. Venable doubts him, but we shouldn’t. Again, antichrist.

Who plays Michael Langdon?

The newest addition to American Horror Story‘s complicated world is Australian actor Cody Fern. Fern started out in theater and has starred in several Australian short films including Still Take You Home and The Last Time I Saw Richard. He appeared in The Tribes of Palos Verdes, which also featured Jennifer Garner and Alicia Silverstone.

How do I know Cody Fern?

American audiences probably know him best for his involvement in adapting crime stories. The Assassination of Gianni Versace saw Fern playing David Madson. Almost every part of the Versace story is sad, but Madson’s story is especially depressing. After Andrew Cunanan killed their mutual friend Jeff Trail, Madson abandoned his own apartment and went on the run with Cunanan. The serial killer later shot the alleged love of his life.

The way The Assassination of Gianni Versace explains it, Madson was pressured by Cunanan (Darren Criss) to run away with him after Trail’s murder. The series casts him as an unwilling and morally tortured hostage, and Fern captures this tragic character beautifully.

Is Cody Fern on Instagram?

For sure. You can find his Instagram here.

How old is Cody Fern? And how will that effect American Horror Story: Apocalypse?

Great question. We already know that Apocalypse is set in AHS‘ future and that Murder House took place between 2010 and 2011. Fern is currently 30, so if the series is using his actual age as a guideline, Season 8 could be taking place around 2030 and 2040.

But Murphy’s shows have a habit of casting 20 and 30-year-olds as teenagers (look at Glee). And because Michael is a demon baby, it’s possible that he ages faster than normal people. It seems far more likely that Apocalypse is set only a decade or so into AHS’ future. Specifically, this new season may be set in 2022. That year is the only time a character from American Horror Story has jumped into the future, and the character who starred in this flashforward was actually introduced in Murder House. In Hotel, Billie Dean Howard, the woman who warned us about evil baby Michael, attempts to contact the Ten Commandments Killer on October 30, 2022.

New episodes of American Horror Story: Apocalypse premiere on FX Wednesdays at 10/9c ET.

Watch American Horror Story: Apocalypse on FXNOW and FX+