Orlando Jones discusses taking over Papa Legba role in American Horror Story

Actor Orlando Jones has discussed his role as Papa Legba in the thirteenth season of ‘American Horror Story’. Jones took over the character previously portrayed by the late Lance Reddick, who played the Haitian gatekeeper of the spirit realm in the ‘Coven’ and ‘Apocalypse’ installments.

Jones described a complex physical transformation involving three to three-and-a-half hours of makeup and prosthetics, including skin applications, contacts, and teeth. He noted that his interpretation of the character brings a restless, agitated energy, contrasting with the stillness of Reddick’s original performance. Jones revealed that he initially felt uncertainty about the role due to his friendship with Reddick, and that his audition utilized material originally written for the character's previous iteration.