<P> In May 2015, it was announced that Max Greenfield would also be joining the cast, in a role later revealed to be that of an addict . Greenfield had to dye his hair platinum blond for the role . His is intertwined to that of Sally's (Paulson) and together with The Addiction Demon feature "the most disturbing scene" the show had ever produced, according to Murphy . In an interview with Vanity Fair, Paulson described Sally as someone who is "selfish and greedy", with hygiene problems . The next month, Murphy announced that Denis O'Hare would return as a cross-dressing bar worker in the hotel . He also confirmed that Finn Wittrock would return in the new role of Tristan Duffy, a male model who is involved in a love triangle with Gaga and Bomer, and later a fated love of Liz's . Wittrock explained that the character might have similarities to his previous Freak Show character, Dandy Mott . In July 2015, Murphy stated that Coven alum Emma Roberts would return for a few episodes toward the finale, after completing filming on her Fox series, Scream Queens . Her character would be associated with James March (Peters). While promoting Queens in September 2015, Roberts spoke about her role with less certainty, but optimism, stating, "...it's just everything you could dream of and more . Everything you could nightmare about and more . Granted, things over there are always changing, but I definitely want to go back to it . If it still stands, what Ryan told me, everyone's in for a great shock ." However, she later confirmed that she would be unable to return, due to her demanding feature schedule . Furthermore, she did state that Murphy and her had already discussed about a "devilish" role for her in the forthcoming season six . </P> <P> Later in July, Richard T. Jones joined the cast as Detective Hahn, a homicide detective, for an eight - episode arc . That same day, Helena Mattsson announced that she had also joined the series in an unspecified role . Series alum Lily Rabe portrayed infamous serial killer Aileen Wuornos during the Halloween installment and the finale . With her appearance in the season, Rabe is one of three cast members to appear in all five seasons (along with Paulson and Peters) of the show . Naomi Campbell was cast as a fashion editor who does not get along with Gaga's character . In August 2015, Murphy revealed that Mädchen Amick joined the season as a "mother of a boy who becomes ill", and shares screen time with Alex Lowe (Sevigny). Later in the month, Darren Criss was announced to guest star as a hipster that has conflicts with Iris (Bates), while Mare Winningham joined as the laundress of the Cortez, who works closely with Mr. March, in the 1920s . Christine Estabrook returned to the series as Marcy; the realtor who sold the first season's Murder House to the Harmons . Gabourey Sidibe appeared in the eleventh episode as her Coven persona Queenie . Paulson also reprised her first season role of psychic Billie Dean Howard, appearing in the final episode of the season . </P> <P> Principal photography for the season began on July 14, 2015, in Los Angeles, California, marking a return to where the series shot its first two cycles (Murder House and Asylum). According to the Los Angeles Times, creative reasons, not economic factors, was the deciding key for moving the series from Louisiana back to Los Angeles since Hotel's story is connected to the city . Murphy revealed a six - story hotel set was being built on the Fox lot . A dummy set of the hotel was built at Comic - Con, showing an Art Deco style building from the 1920s, inspired by the old Hollywood era . Murphy announced at the TCA Summer Press Tour in August 2015 that he would be directing the season's Halloween episode, "Devil's Night", marking the first time in series history that he will helm more than the premiere . He stated he would direct it "because I love the script so much, when we finished it I said,' I can't give this to anybody else' ." However, ultimately Murphy did not direct the episode . In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Murphy spoke about Gaga's entrance scene, confirming it to be about six minutes long and describing it as "like a silent movie with no dialogue, and lots of blood and nudity". </P> <P> Greenfield recalled that Murphy wanted to push the limits of the scenes between him, Paulson and The Addiction Demon, while admitting that it was scary . Paulson described it as a normal day of shooting for her since she was accustomed to the theatrics surrounding the show . She added, "None of it's crazy to me . I walk in and I'm like' Hello conical dildo demon person' . I don't even think twice ." For The Countess and Donovan, who both suffer from blood lust, Murphy was insistent on chainmail gloves being used as their weapons of choice . Costume designer Lou Eyrich created the custom gloves in the mold of armor, deriving inspiration from artist Daphne Guinness; "We wanted it to look both rock - n - roll but old at the same time . But then the nail that pops out with diamonds on the edge to slice you," said Eyrich . </P>

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