Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett in Talks to Return for AMERICAN HORROR STORY Season 4

More 'HORROR' may be in store for Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett.

AMERICAN HORROR STORY creator Ryan Murphy has confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that this season's newest leading ladies are intent on returning for the show's upcoming fourth season.

"I have approached them and they wanna do it," Murphy said. "That's very exciting when you can work with A.) actresses you've always idolized and B.) those two are loving this season. They love what they get to do. Kathy Bates sent the writers a basket of plush toys all in the shapes of disemboweled organs. It doesn't get better than when an Oscar winner sends you a grab bag of stuffed pancreas to say 'Thank you and job well done.'"

Of the first three installments of American Horror Story, Coven has far surpassed the ratings of its predecessors, Murder House (2011) and Asylum (2012). Season-to date, AHS: Coven is averaging 7.74 million Total Viewers, 5.46 million Adults 18-49 and 3.14 million Adults 18-34, which are increases of +77% in Total Viewers, +67% in Adults 18-49 and +60% in Adults 18-34 over AHS: Murder House. Coven is outpacing AHS: Asylum by +83% in Total Viewers, +71% in Adults 18-49, and +68% in Adults 18-34. American Horror Story: Coven is easily on pace to record the highest average delivery of Adults 18-34 of any program in FX history. Coven's first two episodes were the highest-rated single telecasts in delivery of Adults 18-34 in FX's history. Coven also ranks as the highest-rated miniseries of 2013 in delivery of Adults 18-49 and Adults 18-34.

Since its inception, the American Horror Story miniseries franchise has combined for a total of 34 Emmy Award nominations. AHS: Murder House tied for the most nominations of any program in 2011 with 17, and AHS: Asylum received the most nominations of any program in 2012, also with 17.

American Horror Story: Coven tells the secret history of witches and witchcraft in America. Over 300 years have passed since the turbulent days of the Salem witch trials and those who managed to escape are now facing extinction. Mysterious attacks have been escalating against their kind and young girls are Being sent away to a special school in New Orleans to learn how to protect themselves. Wrapped up in the turmoil is new arrival, Zoe (Taissa Farmiga), who is harboring a terrifying secret of her own. Alarmed by the recent aggression, Fiona (Jessica Lange), the long-absent Supreme, sweeps back into town, determined to protect the Coven and hell-bent on decimating anyone who gets in her way.

American Horror Story: Coven features an extraordinary cast including Jessica Lange, Bates, Bassett, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe, Frances Conroy, Lily Rabe, Denis O'Hare, Jamie Brewer, Alexander Dreymon, Josh Hamilton, Patti LuPone, and Danny Huston. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Dante Di Loreto, Tim Minear, James Wong, Jennifer Salt, and Brad Buecker are Executive Producers of American Horror Story: Coven. It is produced by Twentieth Century FOX Television.