7 Twisted Secrets Behind Evan Peters' Most Evil Role In American Horror Story: Hotel

Evan Peters' performance as the dapper, yet utterly depraved, serial killer James Patrick March in American Horror Story: Hotel (Season 5) remains one of the most talked-about and critically praised roles of his career. As of the current date, December 10, 2025, the character is still widely cited as Peters' darkest and most complex turn in the long-running anthology series, showcasing his incredible range beyond fan-favorites like Tate Langdon or Kit Walker.

Peters’ portrayal of the 1920s millionaire-turned-ghost is a masterclass in controlled mania, complete with a distinctive, unsettling accent and a chilling backstory that forms the very foundation of the Hotel Cortez. This deep dive uncovers the essential facts, the chilling inspiration, and the behind-the-scenes secrets of how Evan Peters brought the architect of murder to life.

Evan Peters: Complete Biographical Profile

Evan Peters is an American actor known primarily for his transformative roles in the American Horror Story franchise and his Emmy-winning performance in the limited series Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

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• Full Name: Evan Thomas Peters
• Born: January 20, 1987
• Birth Place: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
• Profession: Actor, Producer
• Career Highlights: Peters began his career in 2004 with the film Clipping Adam. His breakout role came as Quicksilver in the *X-Men* film series. He is a staple of the Ryan Murphy universe, having appeared in nine of the twelve seasons of American Horror Story.
• Awards: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (for Mare of Easttown), and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film (for *Dahmer*).
• Recent Projects (2025/2026): Peters is set to star in the highly anticipated film Tron: Ares (2025) and is reuniting with Ryan Murphy for the new FX series, The Beauty (slated for 2026).

The Chilling Origin Story of James Patrick March

James Patrick March is not merely a ghost; he is the original sin of the Hotel Cortez. Introduced in the second episode, "Chutes and Ladders," the character immediately established himself as one of the most sinister entities in the entire AHS universe.

1. The Real-Life Inspiration: H.H. Holmes

The most chilling secret of March's character lies in his historical inspiration. James Patrick March is a fictionalized version of one of America’s first documented serial killers, H.H. Holmes. Holmes, who operated during the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, built a structure nicknamed the "Murder Castle," a hotel specifically designed with hidden passages, soundproof rooms, and trap doors to facilitate the torture and murder of his guests. March did the exact same, constructing the Hotel Cortez in 1925 with a similar labyrinthine layout to hide his heinous crimes.

2. The Ten Commandments Killer Connection

March’s legacy is so pervasive that it directly influences the present-day narrative of *AHS: Hotel*. He is revealed to be the original Ten Commandments Killer. March was obsessed with punishing those who broke the biblical Ten Commandments and used his hotel to stage elaborate, torturous murders corresponding to each commandment. His ghost continues to mentor Detective John Lowe, the "present-day" Ten Commandments Killer, throughout the season, a truly disturbing twist that connects the past and present horrors of the Cortez.

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3. The Millionaire with "Daddy Issues"

March is established as a new-money psychopath with deep-seated psychological trauma. Ryan Murphy described the character to Peters as "very rich, and very evil." This background provides a crucial layer of context to his sadism: his wealth allowed him to indulge his darkest fantasies, while his "daddy issues" suggest a profound need for control and a twisted sense of moral superiority that fuels his murderous crusade.

Behind-the-Scenes Mastery: Peters' Preparation

Evan Peters is known for his intense dedication to his roles, often spending months preparing and living as his characters. James Patrick March required a particularly unique set of acting choices that set him apart from Peters' previous AHS characters.

4. Mastering the Trans-Atlantic Accent

One of the most defining and memorable features of the character is his distinctive, old-timey accent. March speaks with a Trans-Atlantic accent (also known as a Mid-Atlantic accent), a non-native, cultivated blend of American and British English popular among the elite in the 1920s and 30s. A fascinating detail is that the accent is intentionally "forced." March mentions that he adopted the speech pattern from one of his favorite professors, suggesting it's a learned affectation rather than his natural way of speaking, emphasizing his desire to appear sophisticated and superior.

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5. The Unholy Alliance with The Countess

March’s most significant relationship was his marriage to the immortal vampire, The Countess (Lady Gaga). This unholy alliance was short-lived but profoundly influential. March taught The Countess how to kill, and in return, she became his lover and protégé in murder. Their twisted partnership is a central pillar of the Hotel Cortez's history, as their love and subsequent betrayal led to March's eventual suicide in a police raid, forever trapping his ghost within the hotel walls alongside his loyal maid, Hazel Evers.

6. The Physical Transformation: The Pencil Mustache and Period Clothing

The character's aesthetic was key to establishing his era and personality. Peters was transformed with a sleek, pencil-thin mustache and impeccably tailored 1920s period clothing. This visual precision immediately communicates his "new money" wealth and fastidious nature—a man who is equally obsessed with style and ritualistic murder. The look is a stark contrast to the grunge and vulnerability of his previous roles, like Tate Langdon (Murder House) or Kyle Spencer (Coven).

7. A Legacy of Evil: His Return in 'Apocalypse'

The impact of James Patrick March was so strong that Evan Peters reprised the role in *American Horror Story: Apocalypse* (Season 8). His brief but memorable return solidified March's status as a recurring evil force in the AHS mythology, proving that the Hotel Cortez's founder is one of the franchise's most enduring and popular villains. This return, even years after *Hotel*, confirms the character’s place as a fan-favorite and a benchmark for Peters' acting talent.

The role of James Patrick March was a pivotal moment in Evan Peters' career, demonstrating his ability to embody truly monstrous characters with a chilling blend of charm and menace. His intense preparation, from the precise Trans-Atlantic accent to the deep dive into the mind of a serial killer, is what makes his performance in *American Horror Story: Hotel* an unforgettable piece of television history.