Though a relative newcomer in the American Horror Story cast, actress Billie Lourd has made a lasting impression on FX's horror anthology series with three characters since her debut in season 7, Cult.
Daughter of Star Wars icon, the late Carrie Fisher, Lourd began her working relationship with Ryan Murphy—American Horror Story's showrunner—on his FOX show, Scream Queens. Though not as successful as American Horror Story, Scream Queens ran for two seasons from 2015-2016. Lourd gave a standout performance as Sadie Swenson/Chanel #3; her deadpan snark and dry, witty humor showcased flawless comedic timing for Murphy's more light-hearted moments in the horror/comedy series.
Lourd came into the interconnected American Horror Story universe with a breakout supporting role in the divisive and rather controversial season 7, Cult, which explored the aftermath of the 2016 United States Presidential election and dealt with politics and the cult mindset. Working closely alongside long-standing alumni cast members such as Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson, Lourd made it clear that her talent was not to be ignored; she ended up landing roles on every season after her debut. Despite season 10 being delayed due to COVID-19 until 2021, Murphy released a cast announcement trailer for the upcoming season, and Lourd was on the list. Here's every character Billie Lourd has played on American Horror Story so far.
American Horror Story: Cult - Winter
Despite being one of Lourd's smaller roles in comparison to the meatier, more plot-centric ones she landed later, Winter made a lasting impression on the American Horror Story audience in one of the more maligned seasons. Winter Anderson is the sister of Kai Anderson (Evan Peters), the main antagonist of Cult. She is a part of her brother's cult, and ends up ingratiating herself into the Mayfair-Richards family when she is hired as a nanny to take care of Ally and Ivy's young son, Oz.
American Horror Story: Apocalypse - Mallory
Mallory became one of the most unexpected elements of season 8, Apocalypse. Originally serving as a personal assistant to Coco St. Pierre (Leslie Grossman), Mallory ended up being the linchpin and a key figure in the defeat of Michael Langdon (Cody Fern), the Antichrist. After the witches from season 3, Coven, appeared in Outpost 3 and revealed that they had performed an identity spell on their sister witches to keep them safe, Mallory was revealed to be one of the more powerful members of the Coven. By using the rare and dangerous Tempus Infinituum spell, Mallory ended up going back in time and running Michael over with a car, killing him.
American Horror Story: 1984 - Montana
Smart-mouthed and obsessed with aerobics, Montana Duke became one of the more hilarious aspects of season 9, 1984. Though she seems friendly toward the good-natured and naive Brooke (Emma Roberts) in the early days of their summer at Camp Redwood, Montana's dark past is revealed throughout the course of the season. After Brooke's fiancee killed Montana's brother, she swore revenge and even teamed up with her then-lover, serial killer Richard Ramirez, to try to murder her. Ultimately, Montana ended up one of the restless spirits trapped in purgatory at Camp Redwood, but her role as a light-hearted character turned stone-cold villain on American Horror Story was thrilling to watch, and allowed the actress to show more of her range.