Frances Conroy is one of the most recognizable stars of American Horror Story, having featured in seven of the nine seasons so far. Conroy's history on the show dates all the way back to Murder House and she's also set to star in the upcoming tenth season, Double Feature.
Over the show's history, Conroy has portrayed some of the most unique and eccentric characters. From heroes like Moira O'Hara and Myrtle Snow to villains like Mama Polk, Conroy always has something different to offer to each season she features in. Conroy's characters vary in importance and screen time but her performances are always captivating and engaging.
Bebe Babbitt
Bebe Babbitt from Cult is one of Conroy's smallest roles in American Horror Story but she's still just as engaging to watch. Bebe Babbitt despises men and has a misguided loyalty for her former lover, Valerie Solanas. She has radical political views and was also part of the group, SCUM (the credit for their killings going to the Zodiac Killer).
The character only appears in two episodes of Cult and while Conroy still makes an impact, the SCUM plot is one of the less enjoyable ones of the season. Bebe's complex relationship with Kai and her dramatic end at the hands of Ally are Conroy's highlights in this role.
Actress Playing Mama Polk
In the reenactment portion of Roanoke, Frances Conroy portrays Mama Polk (or an unnamed actress playing her anyway). As fams never get to see the actress out of character, Mama Polk is all they get from Conroy in Roanoke.
It seems odd that fan-favorite Conroy was given the role of fake-Mama Polk while a lesser-known actress was brought in to play the real version of the character. While Conroy puts in a deliciously deranged performance in the small time she gets on screen, her role is somewhat overshadowed once the real Mama Polk appears in the second half of the season. When fans think of Mama Polk, they're much more likely to remember her role in torturing Lee, Audrey, and Monet in the second half of the season rather than Conroy's small part in the first half.
Gloria Mott
While Gloria isn't exactly a villain, she's hardly a sympathetic character. In Freak Show, Gloria panders to her son Dandy's every whim - going as far as to cover up his murders. It's ironic that Gloria spent her life subservient to Dandy, only to end up as his puppet in death.
In a plot twist that everyone saw coming, Dandy takes over the role of the season's main villain from the short-lived Twisty; but, it's important to remember that Gloria's parenting had a huge impact on shaping Dandy. If Gloria had been firmer with Dandy, perhaps she could have prevented his murder spree. While the character of Gloria showed promise, her time was done before she'd properly developed and it felt like her story had been cut short.
Shachath
Shachath, also known as the Angel of Death, appears several times throughout Asylum. Shachath appears to those who are about to die, kissing them and guiding them into the afterlife. Throughout the season, many characters come face to face with Shachath before their time is up, including Sister Jude Martin.
While Shachath is yet to appear in any other seasons of the show, the character is one that could certainly pop up again to welcome other characters into the afterlife (after all, Shachath's cousin, Satan has featured in many seasons). Even though the role is relatively small, Conroy manages to make a big impact; The Angel of Death adds a poignance to each character's demise. Even within this one role, Conroy is able to show her range as an actress. As the Angel of Death, she is calm and other-worldly but is as intimidating and ruthless as the hallucinated cellmate of Sister Jude.
Moira O’Hara
Frances Conroy's original character on the show was Moira O'Hara, one of the many ghosts trapped in The Murder House. Moira continues her role as the house maid even after her death and becomes a trusted confidant to Vivien Harmon. While many actors have played multiple roles on the show, Moira is one of the only characters to be played by two actresses.
Moira appears as a young woman (played by Alexandra Breckenridge) when she is seen by men and as an older woman (Frances Conroy) when she is seen by women. Something that makes no sense about Murder House is why Moira ever appears as an older woman as she was fairly young when she died. The character also appears again in Apocalypse when she reunites with her mother and is given a heartwarming ending.
Myrtle Snow
Frances Conroy's most prominent role in the franchise is Myrtle Snow. Myrtle is witty and eccentric and delivers many of Coven's best one-liners; her last line in the series perfectly reflects the flamboyant nature of the character. Myrtle is certainly a complex character; she is loving and supporting of Cordelia but will go to any lengths for her, including murder.
In both Coven and Apocalypse, Myrtle is fiercely loyal to the witches and she is the one who first recognizes the extent of Mallory's power, something which proves integral to taking down Michael Langdon.