‘American Horror Story: Apocalypse’s Cody Fern Teases the Antichrist’s Backstory and More Fighting

Even causal fans of American Horror Story knew that centering an entire season around the antichrist was a big deal. But no one could have predicted the simultaneously terrifying and seductive performance AHS newcomer Cody Fern would bring to the role. After an episode all about Michael Langdon’s murky past and alarming powers, Decider had a chance to speak to Fern about what it’s been like embodying the literal son of Satan. Spoilers ahead for American Horror Story: Apocalypse, Episodes 1-4.

Prior to the premiere of Apocalypse, there was no character more mysterious than Michael Langdon. The unholy child between Connie Britton’s Viven and Evan Peters’ Tate has been the known living antichrist since the conclusion of the Murder House season. But going into Apocalypse, Fern had no idea that was the role he was destined to play.

Fern started his working relationship with Ryan Murphy by starring in the heart-breaking and Emmy-winning The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Fern played a fictional version of serial killer Andrew Cunanan’s real-life victim David Madson. After working with him on the miniseries Murphy asked him to join the American Horror Story universe in September of 2017. It was the actualization of a longtime dream.

“When Ryan told me, I instantly burst into tears,” he said.

But Murphy didn’t tell the AHS newcomer the complicated character he would be playing. According to Fern the visionary creator sold him on this new role by describing his costume — what Fern calls “long Dorian-esque hair” and impressive capes. Throughout the costuming and early production process, the character of Michael Langdon wasn’t even referred to by name. Instead he was known as “Elijah Cross.”

Days before it was announced that Season 8 of American Horror Story would be a crossover between the Coven and Murder House seasons, Fern learned who he was really playing. “As it started to come together I was like ‘Oh fuck I’m playing Michael Langdon. Well this is going to be a wild ride,'” he said. “And that’s what it’s been every day for the past four months.”

A “wild ride” perfectly describes what it’s like to see Langdon enter this new world. Like the great AHS legends of past seasons, Fern quietly dominates every scene he’s in, turning even basic conversations into silent battles of will. Though it isn’t revealed until Episode 4 that Langdon can use magic, seeds of his supernatural prowess have been hiding all season. According to Fern, Apocalypse intentionally never shows Langdon opening or closing a door. Even when his character released Mr. Gallant (Evan Peters) from his chains in Episode 2, Fern never touches the locks. The overall effect has helped transform Langdon from merely a character into a force of the supernatural.

The first three episodes of Apocalypse have given audiences a taste of his seeping power, but “Could It Be… Satan?” offers a more vulnerable, unnerving, and sympathetic look at this character. Diving into Langdon’s past, Episode 4 follows Langdon as he’s adopted by two different homes, a motherly Stan worshipper played by Kathy Bates and a school for warlocks that includes BD Wong and Billy Porter.

“[Episode 4] is just a little hint into how manipulative Langdon can be,” Fern said. “He’s kind of an angelic, emotional, vulnerable boy that people want to take in and help. And I think that’s something that he uses to his advantage.”

Though we’ve seen glimmers of this manipulation, Fern revealed that we will be learning more specifics about the antichrist’s past as the series goes on. That probably means we’re going to be seeing more of the warlocks at some point. “I can’t say too much, but you know ultimately at the end of the fourth episode we are seeing a boy who certainly seems to have powers that are greater than the current Supreme,” he said. “But yeah, you can look forward to a lot of backstory for Langdon.”

What makes that backstory even more complicated is Langdon’s age. Though the Langdon we see throughout Episode 4’s flashback is supposed to be roughly 15-years-old, Langdon has only been alive for six years at that point in time. That means we’re watching a character who’s discovering his emotions, powers, and destiny as the antichrist through the complicated lens of two very different points in life. “At the same time as this emotional 15-year-old, but also as this emotional six-year-old, he’s coming to discover that he has intense feelings about things,” Fern said.

“What’s really important about Langdon is that Langdon is the anti-Christ, you know? He is the version of Christ who comes from Satan,” he said. In the same way that Christ had a journey of ascent, Langdon has one of descent. “There are things that he does that are cruel or evil or whatever you want to call them. But at the same time this is something that he has been born into. So there is a sense of what is he controlling and what is he not controlling?”

This season will also further test Langdon’s vulnerabilities. “He is not immortal,” he said. “He is a human form of Satan himself.”

No matter how much control Langdon does or doesn’t have, this is shaping up to be an exciting journey. When asked if there was going to be a face-off between Langdon and Cordelia (Sarah Paulson) over who would be Supreme, Fern wouldn’t confirm any specific fights. But the actor did promise there will be fighting. “I can certainly say that there is going to be a lot of fighting between a lot of different factions at some point in time,” he said.

As incredibly fun as this new season has been, Fern seems to value his time working with Ryan Murphy and his co-stars the most. Though his co-stars haven’t given him direct advice about how to handle the world of American Horror Story, he’s learned by their example. Fern hailed Sarah Paulson as a true leader both in front of and behind the camera. His many scenes with the legendary Kathy Bates have taught him about how important specificity is in acting, and Evan Peters’ performance have encouraged him to more fearlessly dive into his roles.

“It’s been extraordinary,” Fern said. “And I get to work with all of them, which is just a dream come true.”

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

Watch American Horror Story: Apocalypse on FXNOW and FX+