‘American Horror Story’ Season 2 Casting Updates: Who Is Joseph Fiennes?

FX's hit series "American Horror Story" was picked up for a second season, and as many fans know, creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk have no plans on keeping the winning original formula. Murphy explained that the highly anticipated second season will have a new plot, new setting and new characters. In talks to play one of Murphy's new characters is Joseph Fiennes.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Fiennes, 42, is in negotiations to be a series regular in season two. As previously revealed by Murphy, the second season will take place in a mental institution on the East Coast. EW reports that Fiennes, if cast, would play the head of the "institution for the criminally insane."

Fiennes would work besides actress Jessica Lange, who is one of the five returning cast members from season one. Lange is set to play an employee at the institution, and Fiennes is reported to be the "object of her attraction."

This won't be Fiennes first time working with Murphy. The pair worked together for Murphy's 2008 FX pilot "Pretty/Handsome."

Fiennes will join returning season one cast members Zachary Quinto, Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson and Lily Rabe. New cast members for season two of "American Horror Story" include Chloe Sevigny, Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine, James Cromwell and French actress Lizzie Brochere.

The 42-year-old actor from Wiltshire can also be found in 2011's "Camelot," in which he portrayed Merlin, and the TV series "FlashFoward," in which he played Mark Benford.

Are you excited for season two of "American Horror Story?"