Angela Bassett on ‘9-1-1’ and Returning to ‘American Horror Story’

While there are plenty of iconic Angela Bassett performances, fans are especially excited to see her return for the upcoming thirteenth season of American Horror Story. On the Disney 2026 Upfront Red Carpet, I asked the actress about what keeps her engaged with the franchise, Athena Grant’s big career move for the tenth season of 9-1-1, and more.

“It’s brought together some of the most incredible talents, headed by Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, as well as bringing in new and fresh talents that get us excited,” she explained of AHS. “The scripts always have something iconic, memorable, and crazy to do. It’s a world, truly, where less is overrated. We want more, and more, and more, so that’s fun to play. That’s fun to play with.”

As for her character’s decision to become a detective at the end of the 9-1-1 season 9 finale, the star and executive producer shared, “I love the upswing, the different pivot for Athena, and yeah, she has to turn it around. I can’t wait to see how that’s gonna all unfold, because we know that she’s been through a lot of emotional things, up and down with her marriages, her love life, but she can always count on her friends and on her children, on her community.”

Watch my full interview below: