Creator Ryan Murphy announced on Wednesday, September 23, that a revival of the satirical anthology Scream Queens is currently in development. Although original star Ariana Grande expressed interest in returning, her Eternal Sunshine Tour commitments prevented her from joining the project at this time.
The Eternal Sunshine Tour's impact on Grande's return
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Murphy explained that Grande's touring schedule made it impossible to coordinate her appearance . While Murphy had considered integrating the cast into a new season of American Horror Story, Grande's commitments to the Eternal Sunshine Tour and upcoming film projects like Wicked and Focker-in-Law made a return unfeasible during the initial planning stages.
The report notes that Grande's team has emphasized her need for a break from public-facing work following the intense scrutiny that accompanied her recent tour. An August statement further clarified that the singer looks forward to finishing her tour on a high note before taking a much-deserved hiatus from the spotlight. Murphy has indicated that he has not given up on the singer, noting that he loves her and is willing to wait for the right timing.
Emma Roberts and Glen Powell lead the interest in a revival
Beyond Grande, several original cast members have signaled their willingness to return to the satirical series. Murphy stated that Emma Roberts "really wants to do it," alongside Billie Lourd and Lea Michele. This enthusiasm from high-profile actors suggests a strong foundation for the production, even if the full original ensemble cannot be secured immediately due to the logistical hurdles faced by stars like Grande.
Additionally, Murphy highlighted Glen Powell—whom he described as his "favorite of all time"—as being on board for the revival. the involvement of such established talent indicates that Murphy is aiming for a high-caliber production that maintains the star power of the original 2015 run.
From the Red Devil to Jamie Lee Curtis's praise
Scream Queens originally aired between 2015 and 2017, focusing on the Kappa Kappa Tau sorority and various killers like the Red Devil and the Green Meanie. Even after its cancellation, the show maintained a significant cultural footprint. In a 2022 interview with Entertainment Weekly, actress Jamie Lee Curtis praised the series for its inventive and dark writing, noting that it felt like it was poised to "break television."
This level of critical respect from industry veterans underscores why Murphy is attempting to revive the property years after its initial run. The show's legacy of satire and its ability to blend horror with comedy remains a distinct niche in the television landscape, which Murphy is looking to re-occupy.
The uncertainty of the American Horror Story connection
While the source mentions that Murphy originally planned to have the Scream Queens cast return for a new season of American Horror Story,it remains unclear if the revival will be a standalone series or an extension of the existing anthology. Furthermore, the report does not specify if the production will utilize the same satirical tone or if the scheduling conflicts with stars like Grande will permanently alter the cast's dynamic.
It also remains to be seen when, or if, a formal production timeline will be established for the project. With Murphy currently in the early stages of development, fans are left waiting to see if the logistics of a major ensemble cast can be successfully navigated.
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