Imagine two young sisters buying a house and turning it into a home for old, dying people. Sounds sweet, but the sisters only took in the elderly whose first letter of their names spelled “murder”. They killed the old people one by one, slowly spelling out “murder”. This house is the setting of Roanoke.
In the first few episodes it is learned that the sisters are dead, and husband and wife (Cuba Gooding Jr and Sarah Paulson) move into this home. The sisters’ spirits haunt the home, while other spirits have a tribe, and they are haunting the surrounding land. The spirits feel as if this land belongs to them, and no one else should live there.
Gooding Jr. is a returning cast member since season 1: Murder House. There are many other returning cast members such as Evan Peters, Kathy Bates, and Lady Gaga, but they only show up here and there with smaller roles than in the past.
The cast that returned from previous seasons means a lot to fans simply because fans have always enjoyed seeing the same talented faces that they know. Those who have not returned for this season will be missed, and we can only hope the new cast has great things in store for us.
What makes this series even more creepy is that Roanoke is based off the true story of the explorer Sir William Raleigh and an artist, John White, who lead a group of colonists to Roanoke Island in the late 16th century. A previous colony had been abandoned after its leaders murdered the chief of the Native American tribe that had been its most important trade source.
White returned to England to get more supplies, hoping to return in three months, but England’s war with Spain prevented White from returning for three years.
When he finally did return, every single person in the Roanoke colony had disappeared, including his wife, daughter and granddaughter. The only clue left behind was a word carved in a post: “Croatoan,” the name of a nearby tribe.
This show is fantastic, horrifying, and gives off an eerie feeling. I would most definitely recommend this season specifically to those who appreciate history and paranormal activity. I give this season 5 out of 5 stars because it kept me on the edge of my seat, and I adore shows that focus on the horrors of reality. The show is intriguing and will satisfy your need for true horror. I encourage everyone to check it out!