A Possible Final Film Could Cap Jessica Lange’s Career as American Horror Story Star Teases Retirement After Season 13 Ending

A possible final film

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Lange said she felt she was “coming to an end.” She suggested that Long Day’s Journey Into Night might be a fitting final film, describing it as her last movie and citing her role as Mary Tyrone. Directed by Jonathan Kent in his feature directorial debut, the film adapts Eugene O’Neill’s 1956 play. Lange stars with Ed Harris, Ben Foster and Colin Morgan. It follows Mary as she struggles with morphine addiction while her husband and sons confront her about her drug use.

The film premiered at the Dublin Film Festival in 2025. Lange received several honors connected to it, including awards from the Newport Beach Film Festival and Chelsea Film Festival, a lifetime achievement award at the Savannah Film Festival, and a visionary award at the Virginia Film Festival.

A long acting career

Lange’s career includes two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress for Tootsie and Best Actress for Blue Sky. She also received four further Oscar nominations for Frances, Country, Sweet Dreams and Music Box.

She made her screen debut in 1976 and has appeared in more than 30 films as well as television series. Her other credits include The Postman Always Rings Twice, Far North, Men Don’t Leave and Cape Fear. She has also performed in theater productions of A Streetcar Named Desire, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, The Glass Menagerie and Mother Play.

A return to American Horror Story

Lange first appeared in American Horror Story’s opening season, Murder House, as Constance Langdon. She later starred in Asylum, Coven, Freak Show, Apocalypse and the series’ 13th season, which recently concluded.

In the latest season, she reprised earlier roles including Elsa Mars, Fiona Goode and Sister Jude Martin, and also played Margaret Thatcher. Her work on the show helped introduce her to a younger generation and led to a renewed relationship with creator Ryan Murphy.

That collaboration also included Feud: Bette and Joan, The Politician and Feud: Capote vs. The Swans. Lange’s return followed a long break from American Horror Story and years of fan requests for her to come back.

Retirement remains uncertain

Lange’s comments were not an explicit announcement that she is retiring. The report noted that many actors continue working later in life, while also raising the limited availability of roles for older women in Hollywood as a possible factor.

For now, her remarks leave open whether Long Day’s Journey Into Night will be her final film. Her career has spanned film, television and theater, with American Horror Story among the roles that renewed public attention around her work.