Sarah Paulson made her first American Horror Story appearance in Murder House, the first season of the anthology series. Since then, she has featured in eight out of nine seasons of the show and has been confirmed for the upcoming tenth season. Paulson’s work with Ryan Murphy truly showcases her acting range and has garnered numerous Emmy nominations.
In her many American Horror Story roles, Paulson has brought to life a host of varied complex characters. From the ruthless Wilhemina Venable to the exceedingly brave Cordelia Goode, this oeuvre of characters ranges from some of the most likable characters of the show to some of the most difficult to like.
Wilhemina Venable - Apocalypse
When the apocalypse hits, Wilhemina Venable functions as the administrator of Outpost 3, one of many fallout shelters stationed around the world in Apocalypse. Venable is a sadistic ruler, who breaks protocol and creates many rules to ensure the misery of the outpost residents.
Venable is ashamed of her body and is repulsed by human contact, and she has no sympathies for the desires of others. Venable desires status above all else and is almost entirely driven by a desire for power, but, worst of all, she takes the end of the world as an opportunity to torture others and establish herself as a ruthless leader.
Ally Mayfair-Richards - Cult
Ally Mayfair-Richards at the beginning of Cult is presented as a loving wife and mother who suffers from multiple phobias. When Ally decides to stop taking her medication, however, she puts everyone around her at risk, including herself, and accidentally kills a family friend. Ally’s character then quickly progresses from unstable and dangerous, to cunning and ruthless.
Ally becomes involved in Kai Anderson’s cult, and, once she believes her son Oz to be in danger, she agrees to infiltrate the cult to help the FBI. This act would have almost been redeemable had she not also callously murdered her wife, Ivy, so that she could have Oz all to herself.
Audrey Tindall/Shelby Miller - Roanoke
Audrey Tindall is a narcissistic English actress who is married to and deeply in love with her co-star, Rory Monahan. Audrey portrays Shelby Miller in the reenactment documentary “My Roanoke Nightmare” and has returned for the sequel. Audrey is annoyingly in denial about what is happening around her to a detrimental effect.
Unlike Shelby, Audrey is skeptical of the accounts of supernatural occurrences at Roanoke and completely discounts Shelby’s claims, which form the basis of the documentary. Audrey may not be an inherently bad character, but she certainly isn’t an overly likable one.
Sally McKenna - Hotel
Also known as Hypodermic Sally, Hotel's Sally McKenna is a ghost who has permanently resided at the Hotel Cortez since her murder. Sally often wanders the halls of the Hotel Cortez visibly distraught and craving affection, with tears streaming down her face.
Sally is remorseless and is responsible for a number of deaths within the hotel, leading one innocent man per year to his death. However, Sally’s emotional instability, loneliness, and genuine desire for affection can almost outweigh her questionable actions. Sally ultimately becomes a successful blogger and songwriter and at least partially cured of her overwhelming loneliness.
Bette Tattler - Freak Show
Bette Tattler is the gentler one of the conjoined twins that were discovered by Elsa Mars in Freak Show and rescued to perform in her traveling circus show. Despite her gentle demeanor, Bette is selfish and narcissistic and turns on her sister, Dot, when she discovers that Dot is a talented singer.
When the pair perform in Elsa’s show, Bette must resign herself to being the backup singer to her sister, and she quickly resents this. Bette was also responsible for their mother’s death, stabbing her during an argument. In a redeeming selfless act, however, Bette marries Dandy Mott to free her friends from his grasp.
Billie Dean Howard - Murder House
Bille Dean Howard is a gifted medium whose services are requested by Constance (Jessica Langdon) in Murder House. Howard possesses the power to communicate with ghosts and has long been trying to assist Tate Langdon (Evan Peters) in passing on to the afterlife.
Howard’s abilities are authentic, and she helps Violet Harmon (Taissa Farmiga) to understand the afterlife as she struggles to adjust. All in all, however, Howard is a self-serving character who boasts of her own success and forthcoming Lifetime pilot and eventually becomes a medium to the stars. Howard makes further appearances in later seasons of the show, appearing wherever her services are needed.
Dot Tattler - Freak Show
Freak Show's Dot is the more serious of the Tattler twins, and she often rolls her eyes at the dreamy musings of her sister, though she is ultimately protective of her. Dot was overcome with guilt at Bette’s murder of their mother and stabbed herself and her sister as a result, only to be rescued from the hospital by Elsa Mars.
Dot’s front is softened when she meets Jimmy Darling and fantasizes about getting separation surgery, becoming free from her sister, and perhaps pursuing a life with Jimmy, but she ultimately refuses the surgery for fear of endangering herself and her sister. Despite her stern demeanor, Dot is caring and protective and looks out for her sister.
Cordelia Goode - Coven
Coven introduces Cordelia Goode, the headmistress of Miss Robichaux's Academy. Cordelia is extremely loyal and protective of her students. Although almost pacifist in nature, Cordelia steps up on more than one occasion, stabbing herself in the eyes to regain the power of The Sight and protect her coven, ultimately succeeding her mother in becoming the reigning Supreme.
By the time Cordelia reappears in Apocalypse, she has transformed into a fearless and worthy leader who is prepared to save the world by any means necessary, even if she must make the ultimate sacrifice. Cordelia may have lost her timidity, but, in doing so, she has become stronger and ever more worthy of her position as reigning supreme.
Lana Winters - Asylum
In Asylum, Lana Winters is a fearless and ambitious journalist who sets out to expose the dark secrets of Briarcliff Manor. Initially determined to investigate the Bloody Face killer, Lana finds herself being admitted to the asylum against her will and endures electro-shock and conversion therapy.
In spite of the terrible things she experiences, Winters remains a strong and determined character with an unwavering sense of right and wrong, although her career ambitions often get in the way. Lana ultimately exacts revenge on those who wronged her and builds a hugely successful career in the process.