American Horror Story is a serial horror-drama television series created and produced by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The series centers on the Harmon family: Ben, Vivien and their daughter Violet, who move from Boston to Los Angeles after Vivien has a miscarriage and Ben has an affair. They move into a restored mansion, unaware that the home is haunted by its former inhabitants.

The first season centers on the Harmon family: psychiatrist Ben (Dylan McDermott), his estranged wife Vivien (Connie Britton), and daughter Violet (Taissa Farmiga). They move from Boston to Los Angeles after Vivien had a stillbirth and Ben had an affair with one of his students. On arrival, they learn that the previous owners of their new mansion - a gay couple - apparently died in a murder/suicide. Their neighbor Constance (Jessica Lange) and her daughter Addie (Jamie Brewer) become frequent, if sometimes unwelcome, guests. Addie, who has Down syndrome, seems to have a supernatural connection with the house's mysterious past. Upon exploring the attic, Vivien discovers a gimp suit. The house also 'comes with' Moira O'Hara (Frances Conroy/Alexandra Breckenridge), a housekeeper who to men appears as young and seductive, but to women old and matronly.