AHS finale airs after major twist

The American Horror Story season 13 finale airs at 9 p.m. Thursday on FX, concluding a narrative arc that reveals the protagonist as the son of Satan. Joey Pollari portrays Ben DeSoto, a character who begins the season with a phobia of the number 13 and ends with a divine lineage. The episode streams on Hulu the following day.

Pollari spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about his role ahead of the broadcast. He stated that he did not know the character would be Satan’s son when he signed on. Murphy told him Ben would serve as the entry point for meeting returning characters. The twist arrived when Pollari received a script showing the number 616 branded on Ben’s lower back.

The actor called the revelation a shock. He said an even larger surprise came when Ben meets his father and tells the coven, “I believe you’re looking for me.” Pollari described his relationship with creator Ryan Murphy as a real kinship and a collaboration. He noted he is unsure if the word muse applies to their dynamic.

Pollari first crossed paths with Murphy in August 2024 during the pandemic. He worked as a production assistant at the premiere of Murphy’s series Doctor Odyssey. Pollari vacuumed the blue carpet and handed out markers and water bottles. Murphy walked that carpet forty minutes later. Six weeks to the day after that event, Pollari auditioned for Monster: The Ed Gein Story. It was his first in-person audition in four years.

Roughly five weeks after that audition, Murphy phoned to offer him the part. Work in Italy followed. About six months later, Pollari met Murphy at the Roman ruins. Murphy suggested dinner there. Pollari viewed his status as a newcomer to the franchise as an advantage. He noted that Ben is also new to the world and to Constance Langdon.

The twelfth episode revealed that Fiona Goode and Constance Langdon are sisters separated at birth. Sister Jude is their biological mother. Their father is Satan. The episode left Cordelia and Queenie in danger. Ben’s outlook also appeared grim. Pollari said the cast was excited to see the lore explained but would not reveal what happens next.

Pollari praised Emma Roberts, who shares a bottle episode with Ben. He said the two clicked immediately. He joked about a scene where they smoke on a bed. Roberts replied that he was lucky because they had been. Pollari worked with nearly the whole cast except Kathy Bates, who has one scene. He felt like part of a different show but found the veterans welcoming.

Asked about real-life fears, Pollari said he is not particularly superstitious. He found it fun to play a paranoid character who sees meaning everywhere. He said the decision on whether Ben returns in future seasons belongs to the writers. On the characters' fates, he said “mum’s the word.”