'American Horror Story': Our New Fall Favorite

Constance wasn't the only character whose presence was increased for AHS' first season. Murphy and Falchuk determined quickly that Rubber Man would be a breakout figure. ''Gwyneth Paltrow read the script just as a friend,'' says Murphy of the Glee guest star. ''She called me up and was like, 'Oh my God — is she f---ing pregnant by that Rubber Man dude? Is it a rubber baby?' That's when I first realized people are going to be obsessed with Rubber Man.'' Well, Ryan, since you brought it up...where did you get the idea to add a silent guy in a shiny rubber suit to your haunted-house drama? ''I was at some weird bookstore, and I saw a book on how to care for your fetish suit. On the cover was this gleaming suit. When we were writing the pilot, I brought the book in and showed it to Brad and said, 'I'm obsessed with this!''' And thus Rubber Man was born. (Fun fact: In most scenes, the suit is worn by actor Riley Schmidt — though McDermott was actually the one behind the mask for the pilot's much-talked-about love scene, at Britton's request. But when Rubber Man's identity is revealed on Nov. 23, it will be somebody entirely different in the suit.)

Viewers will get their next glimpse of Rubber Man in the twist-laden two-part Halloween episode airing Oct. 27 and Nov. 2. Halloween is the one day the dead can walk the earth, so expect to meet some new specters, like the home's ill-fated previous owners Chad (Zachary Quinto) and Patrick (Teddy Sears). The audience will also be introduced to Luke (Morris Chestnut), a guard protecting the Harmon home — and particularly Vivien. But fans should also prepare for the shocking death of a major character within the first hour.

In the lead-up to the Dec. 21 finale, psychiatrist Ben — ever the professional — will continue to see patients at home, including one (played by Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet) who's terrified of urban legends. And if you think the ''infantata'' is haunting, get ready for what Murphy calls ''our most horrifying addition to the American Horror Story family yet.'' (Hint: We haven't met all of Constance's children yet.) Speaking of children, the true father of Vivien's baby will be unveiled in the season finale. Teases Murphy, ''Wait till you see the birth!'' While initial reports about the show suggested that the plan was to have the house kill a new cast each season, producers are now coy about the intended survival rate — many of the actors, like Lange, committed to just one season. ''Probably some of them [will return],'' says Murphy. ''They're not all going to make it, that's for sure.'' And as Falchuk reminds us, today's corpse could wind up as tomorrow's ghostly demon: ''If you watch the show, living or dying — it doesn't really matter.''

With Glee and AHS, both of which shoot on Paramount's lot, Murphy's and Falchuk's dance cards are quite full. ''It hasn't felt hard at all,'' insists Falchuk. ''If we were doing another Glee it might be harder. They're such different muscles.'' For Murphy, who just last week sold a sitcom to NBC, the increased workload has actually been helpful following a tough summer with the press and his stars after he revealed that some of the Glee characters would be graduating. ''It was a difficult period with me and some of the actors,'' admits Murphy. ''Now we've all come out of it. So I try to be a little more sanguine and a little more humble about it all.'' Plus, Murphy thinks American Horror Story may help him exorcise a few of his own demons — literally. His L.A. home, you see, is haunted. ''I rather like it,'' says Murphy. ''I feel a presence particularly in one room, but I know it's a kind presence. I'm not afraid of it, but I'm fascinated by it.'' And where in the house does the co-creator of TV's kinkiest new drama sense this otherworldly spirit? ''The bedroom.'' Naturally.