We told you back in December, when American Horror Story wrapped up its first season, that the second season would be an entirely new storyline with new characters in a new setting. This was according to Ryan Murphy, creator and showrunner. For many, the biggest loss would be Jessica Lange, who chewed up every scene she was in, and won a Golden Globe and a SAG award for her trouble.

Mr. Murphy did leave a little bit of wiggle room, though, when he said that some of the cast might return as other characters. This meant that when Ms. Lange picked up her Golden Globe, she was asked if she’d return to the show. “I don’t know” was her noncommital but squee-worthy reply; she didn’t say no!

But when she picked up her SAG award just over a week ago, she told EOnline “I’m thinking about it… As we talked about at the Globes, there just isn’t it any better writing out there.” Agreed. So…

Move forward to two nights ago. Ryan Murphy, during an appearance on Bravo‘s Watch What Happens Live, revealed that Jessica Lange WILL indeed be on the second season! Hang on though – according to EW,  20th Century Fox, the studio that owns AHS, told them that there is no official deal yet with Ms. Lange. Argh! Well, we’re planning on it being true.

But wait, there’s more! Mr. Murphy also participated in the web-only aftershow Tuesday night, and further revealed that the second season will be set on the east coast and will involve a horror “institution” – hmmm! – and that he is in talks with four, four former castmembers, but that none of them played Harmons.

Okay, this could go a couple of different ways. If, as Ryan Murphy suggested, this will be an anthology-type show, wherein actors can return over and over again, playing different parts (think William Shatner in The Twilight Zone), then there are a number of actors on the list of potential returnees. On the other hand, if they are returning in the roles they played in season 1, it couldn’t be any of the ghosts, since they can’t leave the house. As their first season has taught us, however, nothing is stopping American Horror Story from bringing back characters before they became ghosts, via flashbacks.

At this point, at least, what it does mean is that we won’t be seeing Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton, or Taissa Farmiga next season. This makes us sad all over again. But that’s okay, they will live on, presumably, on DVD and Blu-ray. No, we don’t know when those will be released, but we will of course let you know, as soon as we have pre-ordered them ourselves.

American Horror Story, season 2, starring who knows who, is expected to take over our TVs, our lives, and our column space in Fall, 2012, on FX.