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Monster casting news: In a stunning coup, American Horror Story has signed Lady Gaga to star in the next edition of the FX anthology series.

EW can reveal the Grammy winner will be a series regular in the fifth edition of the popular thriller, which is expected to air this fall. This will mark Gaga’s first starring role in a major production as an actress.

The new theme of the season, and the title, is American Horror Story: Hotel, as revealed by Gaga herself in a video tweet (below). It’s not yet know what kind of character she will play.

The move follows the “Bad Romance” singer’s head-turning performance at the Oscars on Sunday where she surprised fans accustomed to her wild outfits and heavily produced pop hits by taking the stage in a traditional flowing white gown and belting out a full-throated tribute to The Sound of Music. One Time critic declared the performance “could redefine her career.”

Now she’s taking an even more unexpected turn by joining the cast of a TV series albeit one that’s critically acclaimed and has plenty of theatrical elements that one could imagine appealing to the singer. Plus, like HBO’s star-drawing True Detective, FX’s horror series boasts a format that appeals to in-demand performers since stars can commit to only a single season and still have a starring role.

Yet one question that some will certainly ask: Can Gaga pull off a sustained acting gig? Her prior acting credits are in music videos and short scenes — most significantly minor roles in Men in Black 3, and director Robert Rodriguez’s Machete Kills (clip below) and Sin City 2: A Dame to Kill For. Rodriguez said he was impressed by her performance and told E! she could have a long acting career if she pursued one. “She would be fantastic,” Rodriguez said. “The camera loves her. She’s a great performer. She’s performed twice for me now and I was blown away by her discipline. She studied acting before she became a singer and you could really tell.”

Gaga previously worked with AHS co-creator Ryan Murphy when she lent the use of her songs to his Fox musical comedy Glee in 2010. “I love Glee,” she said at the time. “I love the cast and the creativity of the writers. I went to a musical theater school and used to dream that some day the students would be singing my songs.” Next for the show: AHS will close PaleyFest in Los Angeles on March 15 with a panel from last year’s Freak Show edition along with executive producer Tim Minear — and there’s sure to be a curious question or two about next season and Gaga’s role. EW’s Tim Stack will moderate the panel.

From Gaga:

From Machete: