The eagerly anticipated fourth season of American Horror Story has finally arrived.

The new season, called “Freak Show”, gained over six million viewers on FX, during its Oct. 8 premiere date. With this viewer count, the show provided a series-high rating for the show, as well as a viewer-high for the entire FX television network.

American Horror Story: Freak Show focuses on one of the last remaining freak shows in America. Set in 1952 in Jupiter, Florida, the fourth season specifically emphasizes the freak show’s struggle for survival in an a world void of “artistic appreciation.”

Jessica Lange returns for her fourth consecutive year as the lead character of the show, as Elsa Mars, a German expatriate, who leads her band of monsters in the Freak Show. In past seasons of the show, Lange has portrayed: Constance Langdon (Murder House), Sister Jude Martin (Asylum) and Fiona Goode (Coven). Lange announced that Freak Show will be her final season of American Horror Story.

Evan Peters also returns for his fourth consecutive year as a lead character of the show. In this season, Peters portrays freak Jimmy Darling, who was born with deformities leading him to have lobster hands. Peters has portrayed: Tate Langdon (Murder House), Kit Walker (Asylum) and Kyle Spencer (Coven).

Starring as Bette and Dot Tattler, Sarah Paulson, a four-year veteran, returns to the American Horror Story series. Bette and Dot are interesting parts of the show, as they both are forced to live as one person, yet have such distinct personalities.

Kathy Bates, star of American Horror Story: Coven, portrays Ethel Darling, mother of Peter’s character, Jimmy Darling. Bates entertains Freak Show audiences as the bearded lady.

Other key monsters in this season’s Freak Show include: Michael Chiklis as Dell Toledo, Angela Bassett as Desiree Dupree, Erika Ervin as Amazon Eve, Jyoti Amge as Ma Petite, Mat Fraser as Paul and Rose Siggins as Legless Suzi.

American Horror Story is known for its strong roots as a horror anthology television series, meaning a whole new concept, storyline and characters are introduced with every new season. Straying from the fundamental concept this season, American Horror Story incorporates characters present in the second season of the show, American Horror Story: Asylum. Naomi Grossman returns to the American Horror Story stage as Pepper, an Asylum patient from the second season and Lily Rabe returns as Sister Mary Eunice, a Nun, also from the second season.

The new season of American Horror Story has received favorable reviews. Some critics have complained of the singing now present within the show; within the initial four episodes alone, over three songs have been performed. The entire concept of a Freak Show is generally not quite as terrifying as the previous seasons to viewers. Nonetheless, this season of the show still manages to deliver its distinct uniqueness, encompassing both style and thrills.