Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson aren't returning to main cast of American Horror Story season 11

Spooky season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a new instalment of American Horror Story?

Though you might be delighted that season 11 of FX's beloved horror anthology show is set to return this month, don't get your hopes up of seeing the mainstays making their return in any major way.

You see, the cast for AHS: NYC has been released – and while a number of familiar faces are on the list, AHS veterans Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson are not.

According to Deadline, returning actors include Joe Mantello, Billie Lourd, Zachary Quinto, Russell Tovey, Leslie Grossman, Charlie Carver, Sandra Bernhard, Isaac Powell, Denis O’Hare and Patti LuPone.

Plenty of people have been wondering whether Peters would make a comeback to the show following his epic performance as the titular serial killer in Netflix's Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

He's only one of three cast members to have starred in nine seasons of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk's creation – alongside Paulson and Lily Rabe – and was only absent in 1984.

In a 2018 interview with GQ, the 35-year-old star opened up about why he had decided to step back from such intense roles.

He said: "Yeah, I'm not doing it anymore. I just made a decision. I said to myself, 'I can't do it anymore.' It's not me. It's not who I am!

"I'm goofy, I'm silly, I like to have fun. I don't like to yell and scream. I actually hate it. I think it's disgusting and really awful, and it's been a challenge for me.

"Horror Story sort of demanded that of me."

Anyone who's seen the Jeffrey Dahmer series might be quite surprised by that statement – although a lot can change in four years.

As for Paulson, like her co-star, she didn't appear in the ninth season of AHS – and while she similarly returned for the last run Double Feature, she expressed at the time that it could very well be her last.

The 47-year-old star was asked when her next Murphy project will be, to which she replied: "I don't know. It's the first time in about three years where I don't know.

"I think this is my last season of Horror Story, probably. I mean, I don't know. Every time he comes to me with some wackadoodle-stoodle character, I tend to be like, 'Yes! Let's do it!'

"So, I don't know. This is the first time. So, we'll see."

Although fans might be disappointed to see the pair missing from the cast, there's still plenty to be excited about, with just weeks to wait until AHS: NYC premieres.

As teased on the show's social media pages this week: "New Season. New City. New Fears. FX’s AHS:NYC premieres 10.19 on FX. Stream on Hulu."

Don't fret if you're across the pond, as new episodes will also be released on Disney+ in the UK and other territories. All aboard the hype train!