Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris will debut his role on "American Horror Story: Freak Show" next month. Reuters

There’s something magical about the Season 4 winter midseason premiere of “American Horror Story: Freak Show.” Perhaps it has something to do with the enchanted guest appearance of “How I Met Your Mother” star Neil Patrick Harris. Harris' character will debut on the FX series when it returns Wednesday, Jan. 7.

It was revealed in October that Harris, 41, would be making his terrifying appearance on the Ryan Murphy miniseries as a “salesman.” But now that the promo video for episode 11, “Magical Thinking,” is out, it’s safe to say the only thing Harris will be selling in the midseason premiere is a box full of crazy.

Harris’ character Chester will arrive at Elsa Mars’ (Jessica Lange) camp as the newest owner of the freak show. But as it turns out, Chester is more of a liability than a leader. Not only will he cozy up to the Tattler twins (Sarah Paulson) in the installment, but he’ll also drag his big suitcase of baggage to the Florida show.

In addition to becoming the freak show’s newest owner, Chester also wants to participate by putting on a magic act. During the one-minute trailer for episode 11, Chester is seen asking Bette and Dot to would assist him during his performance that involves sawing someone in half.

“Magic is about distracting the audience. And what better distraction than you two?” Chester says in the one-minute trailer.

“Because we’re freaks?” Dot says hastily.

“No, because you’re beautiful,” he replies.

And with that sentiment, Bette is completely smitten with the romantic newcomer. But falling in love with his employees isn’t even the biggest scandal in “Magical Thinking.” As previously mentioned, Chester is coming to the camp with a creepy backstory. According to the show’s newest owner, he has an infatuation with his ventriloquist doll that allegedly “relaxes him.” That’s probably why Chester shows no signs of panic when his magic act of cutting someone in half goes terribly wrong.

As Chester gets splattered with blood from slicing through someone’s torso, the trailer then cuts to a scene of a woman (Jamie Brewer), who resembles Chester’s puppet, menacingly laughing.

“What a sicko,” Dandy (Finn Wittrock) ironically adds as the gruesome promo concludes.

Harris will appear in episodes 11 and 12 of Season 4 as Chester.

Make sure to tune in to “American Horror Story: Freak Show” on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 10 p.m. EST on FX.

Check out the promo here:

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