When Ryan Murphy approached his People v. O.J. star Cuba Gooding Jr. about appearing in the new mysterious installment of American Horror Story, the Oscar-winning actor was excited but—having never watched the show—unsure. But after holing up in a hotel and binging the first five seasons, Gooding Jr. was a convert—and ready to take on what appears to be the male lead in Season 6. One has to say “appears to be” because, even after the revealing premiere last week, much of the season is still a massive mystery. Between rubbing shoulders with his co-stars Kathy Bates and Sarah Paulson at FX and Vanity Fair’s Primetime Emmy Nominee Party on Saturday, sponsored by Chase Sapphire, Movado, and Sterling Vineyards, Gooding Jr. had a secret or two to spill.

Gooding Jr. was brimming with joy—but still a notch or two below show-me-the-money glee—when talking about People v. O.J., his own nomination, and his fellow nominees. He even promised a repeat of his famous Oscar-winning acrobatics if his main competition, Courtney B. Vance, wins for his portrayal of Johnnie Cochran: “I will jump up and down like a little girl.” And his trademark enthusiasm ramped up another level when talking about the belle of the ball, Sarah Paulson. “As long as Sarah Paulson wins, my life will be complete.”

But when talk turned to American Horror Story, the famously expressive Gooding Jr. was conflicted. Contorting his face and body as evident excitement fought with his need to keep company secrets, Murphy’s new favorite leading man said, “the first season to me, if you watch those 13 episodes—it’s like what The Twilight Zone did with one episode.” Each of the past five seasons, Gooding Jr. argues, has been like a 13-hour long Twilight Zone episode.

“This season, remember I said that,” Gooding Jr. teased, without revealing precisely what’s to come. “When you see this season, you’ll realize how to interpret that Twilight Zone idea to an entire other level. When your head goes ‘boom’ and you’ve got brains all over the wall, you’re going to be like, ‘Motherf---ing Cuba Gooding Jr.‘ I wish I could tell you when it happens, but I can’t.”

That could lend support to the popular fan theory that this season of American Horror Story is sub-divided into multiple stories. It’s possible the Gooding Jr. and Paulson story, “My Roanoke Nightmare,” is only one chapter in the layered tale Murphy intends to weave.

But as he weaves it, Murphy won’t have his usual 13 hours to work with. At Murphy’s request, the mysterious sixth season has been shortened to 10 episodes and will conclude by November. Murphy explained his reasoning to Vanity Fair, “Do I really want to be watching a horror show post-Thanksgiving when we get to Christmas? I really don’t. I just don‘t want blood with my Christmas ornaments. I just don’t.”

And when the subject of Gooding Jr.’s co-star, André Holland, came up, the Oscar winner was even more guarded. As part of American Horror Story’s layered Season 6 narrative. Gooding Jr. and Holland are playing the same character, Matt. Holland is the “real” present-day version while Gooding Jr. plays Matt in a meta reenactment. “I’m just trying to phrase this so I can keep myself safe,” Gooding Jr. said of working with André. “Because I don’t want anybody get mad at me. Because they never give you information. When I go, ‘Who’s playing the real Matt?’ They go, ‘André’ and I go ‘from The Knick? Oh my god, I love that guy, I can’t wait to see him. . .’” Gooding Jr. trails off with a significant glance.

But when asked if he and Holland ever got the chance to meet (their parallel narratives wouldn’t provide much opportunity), Gooding grinned and said, “Well, I can’t continue this line of talking. If I continue this line of talking, I might give something away.“