‘AHS’ 13 Star Joey Pollari Breaks Down Ben’s Surprise Romance and That Brutal Cliffhanger
TV & Film

Joey Pollari Unpacks That Massive 'American Horror Story' Season 13 Twist

The actor opens up about playing Ben DeSoto and discovering his character's shocking infernal lineage.

By Nina BrooksPublished Updated 1 min read

The thirteenth run of FX’s flagship horror anthology has taken fans on a wild ride, and newcomer Joey Pollari found himself smack in the center of the chaos. Playing hospice worker Ben DeSoto, Pollari entered the season looking like an ordinary survivor weighed down by trauma. Between overcoming a horrific a. Everything changed when Ben crossed paths with veteran franchise icon Jessica Lange, who stepped back into the world as Constance Langdon inside a luxury high-rise in Manhattan. Her appearance signaled that Ben's story was far darker than simple bad luck, quickly setting up one of the show's signature narrative turns.

As the season progressed into its tenth chapter, audiences watched the caretaker's unassuming backstory shatter completely. Ben was unveiled as the direct spawn of the devil himself, portrayed on screen by Paul Anthony Kelly. According to the storyline, a celestial wager between God and Satan established that if the demonic human vessel manages to reach a century of life, Ben inherits complete dominion over the planet. Even with supreme evil authority dangling in front of him, the character grappled with whether taking up the throne of darkness was something he actually desired.

Emma Roberts and Joey Pollari in “American Horror Story: 13.” (Eric Liebowitz/FX)
Emma Roberts and Joey Pollari in “American Horror Story: 13.” (Eric Liebowitz/FX)

How Did Joey Pollari React To The Script?

Finding out your character is destined to be the prince of darkness might rattle some performers, but Pollari welcomed the wild creative shift. Reflecting on the moment he read the reveal, the actor shared that receiving the pages delivered an unexpected thrill. He noted that while he had not guessed the specific outcome beforehand, the revelation immediately clicked and felt completely fitting for the series. With high-stakes cliffhangers and complicated romances constantly redefining the season, Pollari’s reluctant heir to damnation stands out as one of the most volatile additions to the franchise's expansive lore.

The photos · 5

‘AHS’ 13 Star Joey Pollari Breaks Down Ben’s Surprise Romance and That Brutal Cliffhanger
Joey Pollari in “American Horror Story: 13.” (Eric Liebowitz/FX)
Emma Roberts and Joey Pollari in “American Horror Story: 13.” (Eric Liebowitz/FX)
Sarah Paulson and Fedor Steer in “American Horror Story:13.” (Eric Liebowitz/FX)
Joey Pollari and Jessica Lange in the story: Joey Pollari Unpacks That Massive 'American Horror Story' Season 13 Twist

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People also ask

Who plays Ben DeSoto in American Horror Story Season 13?
Actor Joey Pollari portrays Ben DeSoto, an anxious hospice worker whose dark heritage forms a major plotline.
What is Ben's secret identity in AHS 13?
Ben is revealed to be the biological offspring of Satan, designated to inherit rule of Earth under a high-stakes celestial wager.