‘American Horror Story’ Season 5 Spoilers: ‘Hotel’ Premiere Synopsis Released; What Will Happen In Episode 1?

Start packing your bags, because it’s almost time to check into the mysterious Hotel Cortez. The Season 5 premiere of “American Horror Story” is still a couple of weeks away, but FX has already released the synopsis for the highly anticipated premiere of “Hotel.” It’s safe to say that viewers might need a night light and a security blanket.

Episode 1 of the new season is titled “Checking In.” Just like the previous seasons of “American Horror Story,” “Hotel” will introduce new characters and a different plotline. However, some fan-favorite actors will be returning – just in different roles.

Written by co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, episode 1 will kick off with the introduction of John Lowe (Wes Bentley) a “family man” and detective” in Los Angeles. A “chain of gruesome murders” leads the detective to the “enigmatic” Hotel Cortez.” It’s there that he’ll meet its occupants … who are just as puzzling and mysterious as the building.

As previously reported, singer Lady Gaga will star as Countess Elizabeth, a socialite and owner of Hotel Cortez. But Elizabeth has a dark secret – she has an “ancient blood virus” that makes her thirst for human blood. And Elizabeth is not the only one at the hotel with the hunger for blood. Hotel Cortez resident Donovan (Matt Bomer) and male model Tristan (Finn Wittrock) also share her “ancient blood virus.”

Other faces around the hotel include Iris (Kathy Bates), the building manager and mother of Donovan. Iris is a nemesis of Hypodermic Sally (Sarah Paulson), a drug addict and permanent resident in the hotel. Viewers will also meet Liz Taylor (Denis O’Hare), a cross-dressing employee at the hotel’s bar, The Blue Parrot Lounge.

Catch the Season 5 premiere of “American Horror Story” when it premieres on FX on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 10 p.m. EDT.