American Horror Story's third season will center on a coven of witches that relocated from Salem, Massachusetts to New Orleans, Louisiana before The Salem Witch Trials. Kathy Bates will portray infamous serial killer Delphine LaLaurie who, at the start, is Fiona's (Jessica Lange) best friend, but later becomes her worst enemy. Frances Conroy is set to play Ruth, Fiona's rival from high school times. Theseason's setting with alternate between modern day and the 1830s.