<P> In May 2013, Murphy announced via Twitter that Angela Bassett and Patti LuPone had joined the cast . Bassett later confirmed she would be playing voodoo priestess, Marie Laveau . In an interview, LuPone said that her character, Joan Ramsey, would not be a witch but "the personification of the religious right,' like Piper Laurie in Carrie ."' Gabourey Sidibe appeared in 12 episodes of the season portraying Queenie, a young witch, whose prominent ability allows her to become a human voodoo doll . First season actress Jamie Brewer recurred as Nan, a young witch who is clairvoyant . </P> <P> In July and August 2013, Murphy announced through Twitter that first season alums Denis O'Hare and Alexandra Breckenridge had joined the cast in unknown roles, later known as Spalding and Kaylee, respectively . Also in August, Murphy announced that Christine Ebersole would be playing a "Glinda the Good Witch - type of gal", who is Fiona's predecessor . In an interview, Jessica Lange revealed that Mare Winningham had joined the cast as Peters' character's mother, Alicia Spencer . Leslie Jordan announced that he had joined the cast as Quentin Fleming, a high - ranking witch . In September 2013, Alexander Dreymon was cast in the role of Luke Ramsey . Described as "the handsome young man who moves in next door to the Academy". Danny Huston, Josh Hamilton, and Lance Reddick all recurred throughout the season as the Axeman, Hank Foxx, and Papa Legba, respectively . Murphy also invited singer Stevie Nicks to be a part of the season . She appeared in two episodes, "The Magical Delights of Stevie Nicks" and "The Seven Wonders". </P> <P> Principal photography for the season began on July 23, 2013, in New Orleans, Louisiana . The casting call reads, "After two seasons shooting in Los Angeles, the series moves to (New Orleans) for its third season . Filming begins July 23, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana and (will be) completed on January 17, 2014 ." Despite Ryan Murphy stating that the third season would take place in multiple cities, New Orleans is the primary setting of the third installment . </P> <P> Witches are humans gifted with the power to affect change by supernatural or paranormal means, a practice known as "witchcraft". Witches are generally female, though there are a few male witches . Because of their unnatural abilities and supposed connections with dark forces, witches have historically been feared, persecuted, and hunted . Many escaped the Salem witch trials and sought refuge in New Orleans . Among the population of witches, there is always one witch per generation who possesses a class of seven powers considered to be advanced acts of magic . This witch is known as the "Supreme". As the witches settled in their new territory, a rivalry between them and the native Voodoo practitioners arose . The feud is still ongoing in present - day New Orleans . A group of witches are the focus of Coven, in which magic is a genetic heredity that connects a person to the elements and forces of nature in order to practice witchcraft . </P>

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