Warning: SPOILERS ahead for the AHS: 1984 episode “The Lady in White”.
The seventh episode of American Horror Story: 1984 featured a pair of familiar faces that were sure to excite long-time viewers of the horror anthology, but another one . It looks as though series creator, Ryan Murphy, could have another cameo planned with the return of Finn Wittrock. Here’s when he might appear and who he could be portraying in AHS season 9.
Wittrock made his American Horror Story debut in season 4 by portraying the sadistic Dandy Mott. After Twisty the Clown was killed off, Dandy took the place as Freak Show’s primary villain, which made the character a fan-favorite. The actor returned for the following season, Hotel, and played two characters, Tristan Duffy and Rudolph Valentino. Wittrock appeared in the American Horror Story season 6 for two episodes but he has been absent from the series ever since. Instead, Wittrock has worked on the show’s sister series, American Crime Story, and was cast in Murphy’s upcoming project, Ratched.
AHS: 1984 episode 7, “The Lady in White”, had appearances by series veterans, Lily Rabe and Dylan McDermott. The latter played a hitchhiking serial killer named Bruce but Rabe’s character might have a deeper connection with the person that Wittrock could be playing. The episode traveled back to 1948 to detail the tragic event that killed the brother of Benjamin Richter (aka Mr. Jingles). The plot returned to 1989 but there’s a reason to believe that it will flash-forward to the present day by the series finale. A makeup artist on the series may have spoiled the plot twist through a social media post (via Reddit). The posting stated her work included character makeup that spanned across multiple decades, including 2019. Even more interesting is the fact that Wittrock’s name appears on the IMDb page for the season finale episode, “Final Girl”. His character name is listed as “2019” but we have a prediction to who he’s truly playing.
Theory: Finn Wittrock Plays Bobby Richter In AHS: 1984
From the early episodes in the season, it seemed like Brooke was being set up to become the “Final Girl”. If she does survive another run-in at Camp Redwood as she seeks out revenge on Margaret, the season could follow Brooke to the present day. It will most likely include a few others that are connected to the deadly events that took place at the cursed camp. There’s evidence to suggest that Wittrock will be playing the adult version of Benjamin’s son, Bobby Richter. After Benjamin’s wife was murdered, he left his son with relatives in an effort to keep the child safe as he went back to Camp Redwood to face his demons. It was there that he faced the ghost of his mother, Lavinia (Rabe).
Lavinia worked at Camp Redwood in 1948, which was Camp Gold Star at the time. She brought along both of her sons but the youngest died in a swimming accident. Lavinia took out her rage following her son’s death, Mrs. Voorhees-style, on Benjamin and the camp’s counselors. A lot of what transpired in the Mr. Jingles incident was Lavinia’s fault. In 1989, she convinced Benjamin that the only way to save his son was to embrace his own death and face his past. Even if Benjamin successfully keeps danger out of Bobby’s life, he will grow up with questions regarding his father.
Based on the timeline, Bobby will be around 30 years old in present-day which fits a portrayal by Wittrock. It’s possible that the character is investigating the truth about his family’s dark past in the present day. American Horror Story also has a history of featuring serial killers who go on to have children who follow in their parent’s footsteps. Bobby could have some type of darkness in him that gives him an urge to kill. Viewers won’t have to wait since the American Horror Story: 1984 series finale is just two weeks away.
Next: American Horror Story Timeline: When Each Season Takes Place
