American Horror Story season 12: What is the theme of Delicate?

Horror fans rejoice, because Ryan Murphy's critically-acclaimed series American Horror Story (AHS) is returning for its twelfth season.

Much like with previous seasons, its creator has been keeping details of the show a closely-guarded secret, but first details have emerged about it.

Here is everything you need to know about American Horror Story season 12.

What is the theme of American Horror Story: Delicate?

Each season of American Horror Story fits a particular theme, and the forthcoming season follows this pattern by taking on the title "Delicate" for its inspiration: Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine.

Usually, the details of a new season of AHS is kept under wraps for as long as possible but with co-creator Murphy handing the showrunner reins to playwright Halley Feiffer it means fans of the show can speculate about the plot.

Season 12 appears to be examining themes of motherhood and fertility, something that gives it a Rosemary's Baby feel but isn't new to the franchise.

The show's first season Murder House saw a woman carry satan's child, for example, and the antichrist (played by Cody Fern) returned for season nine, Apocalypse.

Delicate Condition follows a woman, Anna Alcott, who begins to believe that there is a sinister figure who is going to great lengths to stop her pregnancy from happening.

The actress is trying to grapple with her IVF journey whilst and becoming famous, but as things continue to go wrong with the former Anna begins to suspect someone is terrorising her but not even her husband believes that is the case.

So, as mentioned before, it seems that motherhood and fertility are the main themes of Season 12, and it has been described as a feminist take on Rosemary's Baby.

American Horror Story season 12 cast

Kim Kardashian makes her acting debut in AHS: Delicate, a casting choice that came as quite a surprise to fans given her history as a reality star and business mogul.

Ryan Murphy has defended the decision to cast Kardashian, and he said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter in April: "Kim is among the biggest and brightest television stars in the world and we are thrilled to welcome her to the AHS family.

"Emma and I are excited about collaborating with this true force in the culture. Halley Feiffer has written a fun, stylish and ultimately terrifying role especially for Kim, and this season is ambitious and unlike anything we have ever done.”

Kardashian will appear on the show alongside AHS mainstay Emma Roberts, while model Cara Delevingne will be making her debut in the franchise this season.

Per IMDb, Roberts will take on the role of Alcott while Kardashian will play a mysterious woman known as Siobhan Walsh, Delevigne's character name has not yet been confirmed.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, who previously worked with Murphy on the powerful series Pose, is also set to appear on the show, as will Zachary Quinto and Matt Czuchry.

American Horror Story season 12 release date

A release date has not yet been confirmed for the new season of American Horror Story because of the ongoing writer's strike, and now the SAG-AFTRA strike. The series was one of the shows still in production when the strikes began, and so it is unclear whether filming has finished.

Read more: Fran Drescher speaks out after backlash over Kim Kardashian selfie during Hollywood strike (The Independent, 2-min read)

As for now, the show is currently billed to be "coming soon" to the US on FX and Hulu. The series will be released on Disney+ in the UK after its run in America.

Is there a trailer for American Horror Story: Delicate?

Yes, a trailer was revealed on Thursday, 20 July that gave fans of the show their first look at Kardashian in character, the reality star could be seen with platinum blonde hair and she stared down the camera while wearing latex gloves and unique sunglasses.

Sticking to the theme of motherhood, the trailer saw women dancing around a crib whilst chanting "baby" with a disturbing rendition of a lullaby playing in the background.

American Horror Story: Delicate will air in 2023.