In this episode, we’re going to tackle the third series of Ryan Murphy’s anthology horror series, American Horror Story: Coven. Starring screen legends Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett and Murphy’s repertoire of actors, including Emma Roberts and Evan Peters, Coven is all about witches. Namely, a coven in New Orleans close to being eradicated and battling internal politics to do with its reigning supreme.There is also a resurrected serial killer, Madame LaLaurie (Kathy Bates), and the first screen incarnation of New Orleans legend, the voodoo queen Marie Laveu (Angela Bassett). 

I’m joined in this episode by film producer Jen Handorf to discuss the witchiness, narrative arcs, grotesque violence, male objectification, how it attempts to deal with difficult subjects, New Orleans as a character, issues of consent, the real-life inspirations behind some of the characters (including a lot of chat on Marie Laveau) and the one tender moment in the series. 

There's a lot. 

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To coincide with our season of films and events, Here Be Witches, we will be focusing this first series on exploring all things witchcraft on film. Each episode, we will dive deep into films and TV shows that we can’t necessarily screen. Each episode, we’ll be joined with special guests to dissect and discuss a film or show, its legacy and the way witches are represented.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

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Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe 

Our special guest this episode is Jen Handorf, find her on @JHandorf