‘American Horror Story' Cast: A Guide to the Stars by Season

American Horror Story is back with the second part of its most recent chill-inducing season.

The FX anthology series, co-created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, first premiered in 2011 with Murder House and has been on for 11 seasons. Each season covers a different horror-based tale, from following a coven of witches in season 3 (Coven) to a summer camp massacre in season 9 (1984).

In addition to new storylines every season, the series also has a rotating cast. Though the ensemble features plenty of returning actors in new roles, like AHS alums Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson, the cast also includes a mix of up-and-coming actors and Broadway stars.

In January 2020, FX chairman John Landgraf revealed that the popular series will continue through at least season 13.

"Ryan and Brad are the undisputed masters of horror TV, having created the anthological limited series with American Horror Story and sustaining its success for nearly a decade as FX's highest-rated series," he said in a statement. "We are grateful to them and Dana Walden and our studio partners for committing to another three years."

Season 12 of the series, Delicate, premiered on FX on Sept. 20, 2023, and is available to stream on Hulu. This season is partly based on Danielle Valentine's novel Delicate Condition and stars Emma Roberts, Matt Czuchry and Kim Kardashian.

Delicate part 2 premiered on April 3, 2024, and episodes will be available to stream on Hulu the next day.

In order of appearance, here's everything to know about the cast of American Horror Story .

Season 1: Murder House

Evan Peters

Evan Peters first appeared in season 1 as Tate Langdon. He starred in every season of the show through season 8 before deciding to take a break.

The actor told GQ Style that continuously playing “sinister” roles was taking a toll on him. “It’s just exhausting. It’s really mentally draining, and you don’t want to go to those places ever in your life,” he said. “And so you have to go there for the scenes, and it ends up integrating it somehow into your life.”

Peters later rejoined the series for the two-part season 10, where he starred as Austin Sommers in Part One: Red Tide. Beyond AHS, the actor’s other major roles include the X-Men franchise, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and Mare of Easttown.

As for his personal life, Peters was previously engaged to costar Roberts. After they split in 2019, the actor dated singer Halsey from September 2019 to March 2020.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson first appeared in season 1, playing Billie Dean Howard. She starred in the following seven seasons before stepping away for season 9. Paulson’s final appearance was in the two-part season 10 as Tuberculosis Karen in Part One: Red Tide and Mamie Eisenhower in Part Two: Death Valley.

During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live in 2021, Paulson said season 10 was likely her last. "I think this is my last season of [American] Horror Story, probably. I mean, I don't know,” she said. “Every time [Murphy] comes to me with some whack-a-doodle character, I tend to be like, 'Yes, let's do it!' I don't know, this is the first time. So we'll see."

Beyond AHS, her other major roles include The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story and Ocean’s Eight. In her personal life, Paulson has been dating actress Holland Taylor since 2015.

Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange first appeared in season 1 as Constance Langdon. She starred in the series through season 4 but made her final appearance in season 8, reprising her role as Constance Langdon in a cameo.

The actress told Entertainment Weekly in September 2019 that she had no other plans to return to the series. “I feel like I got the best of it in those first four seasons. Great characters. It was exciting to do. I worked with some of my favorite actors but I can’t see that we could ever get back to that,” she said. “Just that tiny little reprise, that part, that was enough.”

Lange’s other major roles include Tootsie, All That Jazz and The Politician. On the personal front, she shares a daughter with Russian ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and two children with playwright Sam Shepard.

Frances Conroy

Frances Conroy first appeared in season 1, playing Moira O’Hara. After starring in the show's first four seasons, she later rejoined the series for seasons 6, 7 and 8. Her final appearance was in the two-part season 10, where she played Sarah “Belle Noir” Cunningham in Part One: Red Tide.

Beyond AHS, Conroy’s other major roles include Six Feet Under, Sleepless in Seattle and Dead to Me. As for her personal life, she’s been married to actor Jan Munroe since 1992.

Connie Britton

Connie Britton first appeared in season 1, playing Vivien Harmon. She later reprised her role for season 8.

The actress told Variety about rejoining the series, “It was really important to me, I really wanted to do it. We had talked about it for a long time, and this was the moment. I did not have to think about it.”

Britton’s other major roles include Friday Night Lights, Nashville and The White Lotus. In her personal life, Britton has been dating writer David E. Windsor since 2019 and has a son, Yoby, whom she adopted from Ethiopia in 2011.

Dylan McDermott

Dylan McDermott appeared in the first two seasons, playing Dr. Ben Harmon and Johnny Morgan, respectively. After reprising his role of Ben in season 8, the actor made his final appearance in season 9, playing Bruce.

Beyond AHS, the actor’s other major roles include The Practice, Hollywood and King Richard. On the personal front, McDermott was married to actress Shiva Rose from 1995 to 2009, and have two daughters together.

Taissa Farmiga

Taissa Farmiga first appeared in season 1 as Violet Harmon. She later rejoined the series for seasons 3 and 6, playing Zoe Benson and Sophie Green, respectively. Her final appearance was in season 8 when she reprised her roles as Violet and Zoe.

Farmiga’s other major roles include 6 Years, The Gilded Age and The Nun. In her personal life, the actress has been married to filmmaker Hadley Klein since 2020.

Jamie Brewer

Jamie Brewer first appeared in season 1, playing Adelaide Langdon. She later rejoined the series for seasons 3 and 4, playing Nan and Hedda, respectively. Brewer’s final appearance was in season 8 when she reprised her role of Nan.

Beyond AHS, Brewer’s other major roles include Turnover, Cherry and Bromates. She is also an advocate for people with disabilities and became the first model with Down syndrome to walk during New York Fashion Week in 2015.

Adina Porter

Adina Porter first appeared in season 1, playing Sally Freeman. She later rejoined the series in season 6, playing Lee Harris. After starring in the following two seasons of the series, Porter made her final appearance in the two-part season 10, playing Chief Burleson in Part One: Red Tide.

Porter’s other major roles include True Blood, The 100 and The Newsroom. As for her personal life, the actress shares two children with her late husband, Larry Madison.

Denis O’Hare

Denis O’Hare first appeared in season 1, playing Larry Harvey. He later rejoined the series in season 3, playing Spalding. The actor starred in five additional seasons as well as season 12.

Beyond AHS, O’Hare’s other notable roles include True Blood, The Nevers and Dallas Buyers Club. In his personal life, the actor is married to designer Hugo Redwood, and they share one son.

Lily Rabe

Lily Rabe first appeared in season 1, playing Nora Montgomery. She went on to star in the next six seasons before taking a short break from the series in season 7. Rabe’s final appearance was in the two-part season 10, playing Doris Gardner in Part One: Red Tide and Amelia Earhart in Part Two: Death Valley.

Rabe’s other notable roles include Miss Stevens, The Undoing and Love & Death. As for her personal life, Rabe has been dating actor Hamish Linklater since 2013, and they share three children. 

Zachary Quinto

Zachary Quinto appeared in the first two seasons, playing Chad Warwick and Oliver Thredson, respectively. He later rejoined the series in season 11, playing Sam. Quinto is set to make a cameo in season 12 as Frank.

Beyond AHS, the actor’s other major roles include the Star Trek franchise, Heroes and NOS4A2. In his personal life, Quinto was previously in a six-year relationship with model Miles McMillan.

Alexandra Breckenridge

Alexandra Breckenridge first appeared in season 1, playing young Moira O’Hara. Breckenridge later rejoined the series in season 3, playing Kaylee. Her other notable roles include The Walking Dead, This Is Us and Virgin River.

On the personal front, the actress has been married to musician Casey Hooper since 2015, and they share two children.

Kate Mara

Kate Mara only appears in the first season as Hayden McClaine.

Beyond AHS, Mara’s other major roles include Brokeback Mountain, The Martian and A Teacher. In her personal life, Mara married actor Jamie Bell in 2017, and they share two children.

Season 2: Asylum

Joseph Fiennes

Joseph Fiennes only appears in the second season, playing Monsignor Timothy Howard.

Fiennes’ other notable roles include The Handmaid’s Tale, Shakespeare in Love and The Mother. As for his personal life, the English actor has been married to model María Dolores Diéguez since 2009, and they share two daughters together.

Lizzie Brocheré

Lizzie Brocheré only appears in the second season, playing Grace Bertrand.

She told Collider about auditioning for the series, “I wanted to do it because it was American Horror Story. I’d seen the first season and was a big fan. And the part seemed so crazy. The breakdown was amazing.”

James Cromwell

James Cromwell only appears in the second season, playing Dr. Arthur Arden in Asylum.

Beyond AHS, the actor’s other major roles include Babe, Six Feet Under and Succession. In his personal life, the actor has been married to his third wife, actress Anna Stuart, since 2014. He also shares three children with his first wife, Ann Ulvestad.

Chloë Sevigny

Chloë Sevigny first appeared in season two, playing Shelley. She later rejoined the series in season 5, playing Dr. Alex Lowe. Her other notable roles include Big Love, Bloodline and Boy’s Don’t Cry.

As for her personal life, Sevigny has been married to Sinisa Mackovic since 2020, and they share a son.

Naomi Grossman

Naomi Grossman first appeared in seasons 2 and 4, playing Pepper.

She told PEOPLE about reprising her role in 2014, “I had no idea. This role, for all I knew, was just Pinhead #4 to the left. I was not just the pinhead but the pinhead the one that got to cross over seasons, the only character to do so, changing the entire landscape of the show.”

Grossman later rejoined the series in season 8, playing Samantha Crowe.

Season 3: Coven

Emma Roberts

Emma Roberts first appeared in seasons 3 and 4, playing Madison Montgomery and Maggie Esmerelda, respectively. Roberts later rejoined the series in season 7, playing Serena Belinda. She also starred in the following two seasons and appears in season 12, playing Anna Alcott.

Beyond AHS, Roberts’ other major roles include We're the Millers, Scream Queens and Holidate. In her personal life, Roberts was previously engaged to costar Peters and shares a son with Garrett Hedlund. She’s been dating actor Cody John since August 2022.

Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates first appeared in season 3, playing Delphine LaLaurie. She starred in the following three seasons and made her final appearance in season 8, playing Miriam Mead, Miriam Mead 2.0, and Delphine LaLaurie.

Bates’ other notable roles include Misery, Fried Green Tomatoes and The Waterboy. As for her personal life, the actress was married to actor Tony Campisi from 1991 to 1997.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett first appeared in season 3, playing Marie Laveau. She starred in the following three seasons and made her final appearance in season 8, reprising her role of Marie Laveau for one episode.

Bassett’s other major roles include What’s Love Got to Do with It, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever. On the personal front, Bassett has been married to actor Courtney B. Vance since 1997, and they share two children.

Gabourey Sidibe

Gabourey Sidibe first appeared in season 3, playing Queenie. She starred in the following two seasons and made her final appearance in season 8, reprising her role of Queenie.

Beyond AHS, her other major roles include Precious, The Big C and Empire. As for her personal life, Sidibe has been married to Brandon Frankel since 2021.

Patti LuPone

Patti LuPone first appeared in season 3, playing Joan Ramsey. She later rejoined the series in season 11, playing Kathy Pizazz.

LuPone’s other notable roles include Penny Dreadful, Beau Is Afraid and The School for Good and Evil. In her personal life, LuPone has been married to Matthew Johnston since 1988, and they share a son.

Mare Winningham

Mare Winningham first appeared in season 3, playing Alicia Spencer. She starred in the following two seasons and made her final appearance in season 7, playing Sally Keffler.

Beyond AHS, Winningham’s other major roles include St. Elmo’s Fire, Dopesick and The Outsider. As for her personal life, the actress has been married to actor Anthony Edwards since 2021.

Season 4: Freak Show

Michael Chiklis

Michael Chiklis only appears in season 4, playing Dell Toledo.

Chiklis’ other notable roles include the Fantastic Four franchise, The Shield and Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. On the personal front, he’s been married to his wife Michelle since 1992, and they share two daughters.

Finn Wittrock

Finn Wittrock first appeared in season 4, playing Dandy Mott. After starring in the following two seasons, Wittrock rejoined the series in season 8, playing Bobby Richter. The actor’s final appearance was in the two-part season 10, playing Harry Gardner in Part One: Red Tide.

Beyond AHS, Wittrock’s other major roles include The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Judy and Luckiest Girl Alive. In his personal life, the actor has been married to Sarah Roberts since 2014, and they share a son.

Wes Bentley

Wes Bentley first appeared in season 4, playing Edward Mordrake. After starring in the following season, he made his final appearance in season 6, playing Dylan.

Bentley’s other notable roles include American Beauty, The Hunger Games and Yellowstone. In his personal life, the actor has been married to producer Jacqui Swedberg since 2010, and they share two children.

Matt Bomer

Matt Bomer first appeared in season 4, playing Andy. His final appearance was in season 5, playing Donovan.

Beyond AHS, Bomer’s other major roles include White Collar, Normal Heart and Magic Mike. As for his personal life, Bomer has been married to publicist Simon Halls since 2011, and they share three children.

John Carroll Lynch

John Carroll Lynch first appeared in season 4, playing Twisty the Clown. After starring in the following season, Lynch rejoined the series in season 7, reprising his role of Twisty the Clown. His final appearance was in season 9, playing Benjamin Richter/Mr. Jingles.

Lynch’s other notable roles include Veep, Big Sky and Crazy, Stupid, Love. In his personal life, the actor has been married to actress Brenda Wehle since 1997.

Season 5: Hotel

Cheyenne Jackson

Cheyenne Jackson first appeared in season 5, playing Will Drake. Jackson rejoined the series for season 6 as Sidney Aaron James and season 7 as Dr. Rudy Vincent. His final appearance was in season 8, playing John Henry Moore.

Beyond AHS, the actor’s other major roles include Watchmen and Call Me Kat. On the personal front, Jackson has been married to Jason Landau since 2014, and they share two children.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga first appeared in season 5, playing Elizabeth “The Countess” Johnson. Her final appearance was in season 6, playing Scáthach.

The actress told Billboard about joining the cast, “I’m not the type of girl who fits most molds. That’s why working on American Horror Story with Ryan is a destiny. I wanted to create something extremely meaningful by exploring the art of darkness. The reason I love watching horror films, mysteries and documentaries about crime is that it somehow numbs me from the pain I experience in my own life.”

Gaga’s other notable roles include House of Gucci, A Star Is Born and the upcoming Joker: Folie à Deux. As for her personal life, Gaga was previously engaged to actor Taylor Kinney and talent agent Christian Carino. Since 2021, she’s been linked to businessman Michael Polansky.

Season 6: Roanoke

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Cuba Gooding Jr. only appears in season 6, playing Matt Miller and Dominic Banks.

Beyond AHS, his other major roles include Jerry Maguire, Boyz n the Hood and American Crime Story: The People v. O. J. Simpson. In his personal life, Gooding Jr. shares three children with Sara Kapfer, though he filed for divorce in 2017.

André Holland

André Holland only appears in season 6, playing Matt Miller.

His other notable roles include Moonlight, Castle Rock and Selma.

Chaz Bono

Chaz Bono first appeared in season 6, playing Lot Polk and Brian Wells. He returned to the series the following season, playing Gary K. Longstreet.

The son of Cher and Sonny Bono, his other major roles include The Guardians of Justice (Will Save You!), Reboot Camp and Bury the Bride.

Season 7: Cult

Billie Lourd

Billie Lourd first appeared in season 7, playing Winter Anderson and Linda Kasabian. She returned to the series for season 8, playing Mallory. She went on to star in the following three seasons as well as season 12.

Beyond AHS, Lourd’s other major roles include Scream Queens, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens and Booksmart. As for her personal life, the actress shares two children with husband Austen Rydell. She is also the daughter of the late Carrie Fisher.

Alison Pill

Alison Pill only appears in season 7, playing Ivy Mayfair-Richards.

Her other notable roles include The Newsroom, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Star Trek: Picard. In her personal life, Pill tied the knot with actor Joshua Leonard in May 2015, and they share a daughter.

Leslie Grossman

Leslie Grossman first appeared in season 7, playing Meadow Wilton and Patricia Krenwinkel. Grossman returned the following season, playing Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt. She starred in an additional three seasons as well as season 12.

Beyond AHS, Grossman’s other major roles include What I Like About You, The Good Place and Love, Victor. As for her personal life, the actress was previously married to John Bronson from 1999 to 2020, and they share a daughter.

Billy Eichner

Billy Eichner first appeared in season 7, playing Harrison Wilton and Tex Watson. Eichner returned the following season, playing Brock and Mutt Nutter.

His other notable roles include Parks and Recreation, The Lion King and Bros.

Colton Haynes

Colton Haynes only appears in season 7, playing Detective Jack Samuels.

Beyond AHS, Haynes’ other major roles include Teen Wolf, Arrow and San Andreas. In his personal life, the actor was married to celebrity florist Jeff Leatham from 2017 to 2019.

Season 8: Apocalypse

Cody Fern

Cody Fern first appeared in season 8, playing Michael Langdon. He returned the following season, playing Xavier Plympton. His final appearance was in the two-part season 10, playing Valiant Thor in Part Two: Death Valley.

The actor’s other notable roles include The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, House of Cards and American Horror Stories.

Joan Collins

Joan Collins only appears in season 8, playing Evie Gallant and Bubbles McGee.

Collins’ other notable roles include A Midwinter’s Tale, Dynasty and The Royals. As for her personal life, the actress has been married to actor Percy Gibson since 2002. She also shares two children with second husband Anthony Newley and one child with third husband Ronald S. Kass.

Ash Santos

Ash Santos only appears in season 8, playing Emily Campbell.

Beyond AHS, Santos’ other major roles include True Story, Night Teeth and Heart of Champions.

Kyle Allen

Kyle Allen only appears in season 8, playing Timothy Campbell.

His other notable roles include The Path, West Side Story and A Haunting in Venice.

Sandra Bernhard

Sandra Bernhard first appeared in season 8 as Hannah. She later rejoined the series in season 11, playing Fran.

Beyond AHS, Bernhard’s other major roles include Roseanne and Pose. In her personal life, the actress is in a relationship with Sara Switzer, and they share a daughter.

Season 9: 1984

Matthew Morrison

Matthew Morrison only appears in season 9, playing Trevor Kirchner.

Morrison’s other major roles include Glee, The Good Wife and Grey’s Anatomy. As for his personal life, the actor has been married to Renee Puente since 2014, and they share two children.

Gus Kenworthy

Gus Kenworthy only appears in season 9, playing Chet Clancy.

Kenworthy’s other major roles include Will & Grace, 80 for Brady and The Sacrifice Game.

Angelica Ross

Angelica Ross first appeared in season 9, playing Donna Chambers. Her final appearance was in the two-part season 10, playing Theta in Part Two: Death Valley.

Beyond AHS, Ross’ other major roles include Her Story, Claws and Pose.

Zach Villa

Zach Villa only appears in season 9, playing Richard Ramirez.

Villa’s other notable roles include Good Mourning, Shameless and Station 19. On the personal front, the actor was previously engaged to Evan Rachel Wood. The pair called off their engagement in 2017 after two years of dating.

DeRon Horton

DeRon Horton only appears in season 9, playing Ray Powell.

His other major roles include Dear White People, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey and After Everything.

Season 10: Double Feature

Macaulay Culkin

Macaulay Culkin only appears in the two-part season 10, playing Mickey in Part One: Red Tide.

The actor’s other major roles include Home Alone, My Girl and Richie Rich. As for his personal life, Culkin has been engaged to actress Brenda Song since 2022, and they share two children.

Ryan Kiera Armstrong

Ryan Kiera Armstrong only appears in the two-part season 10, playing Alma Gardner in Part One: Red Tide.

Her other major roles include Black Widow, Firestarter and The Old Way.

Neal McDonough

Neal McDonough only appears in the two-part season 10, playing Dwight D. Eisenhower in Part Two: Death Valley.

Beyond AHS, McDonough’s other major roles include Captain America: The First Avenger, Suits and Yellowstone. In his personal life, the actor has been married to model Ruvé Robertson since 2003, and they share five children.

Isaac Powell

Isaac Powell first appeared in the two-part season 10, playing Troy Lord in Part Two: Death Valley. He returned to the series the following season, playing Theo Graves.

The actor told Women’s Wear Daily that he used to host viewing parties for AHS when he was in college. “So when [Murphy] reached out to me, it was an easy yes. I was saying yes before he even told me what the plot was,” he said.

Powell’s other notable roles include Dear Evan Hansen, Our Son and Susie Searches.

Rebecca Dayan

Rebecca Dayan first appeared in the two-part season 10, playing Maria Wycoff in Part Two: Death Valley. She returned to the series the following season, playing Alana.

Dayan’s other notable roles include Halston, American Horror Stories and Novitiate.

Nico Greetham

Nico Greetham only appears in the two-part season 10, playing Cal Cambon.

Beyond AHS, Greetham’s other major roles include Power Rangers Ninja Steel, The Prom and Love, Victor.

Rachel Hilson

Rachel Hilson only appears in the two-part season 10, playing Jamie Howard in Part Two: Death Valley.

Her other notable roles include This Is Us, Love, Victor and Red, White & Royal Blue.

Kaia Gerber

Kaia Gerber only appears in the two-part season 10, playing Kendall Carr in Part Two: Death Valley.

She told Entertainment Tonight about joining the cast, “Half of my life I've spent religiously watching American Horror Story. I've seen every season, and I know how all the different storylines connect. And so, when I joined the world, there was part of me that was really nervous because so many people that I look up to are solidified in this world.”

Beyond AHS, Gerber’s other major roles include American Horror Stories, Babylon and Bottoms. The only daughter of Cindy Crawford, Gerber is also a model. She's also been dating actor Austin Butler since December 2021.

Season 11: NYC

Russell Tovey

Russell Tovey only appears in season 11, playing Patrick Read.

Tovey’s other notable roles include Quantico, Being Human and The Good Liar.

Charlie Carver

Charlie Carver only appears in season 11, playing Adam Carpenter. He also co-wrote four episodes of the season.

Beyond AHS, Carver’s other major roles include Desperate Housewives, Teen Wolf and The Batman.

Joe Mantello

Joe Mantello only appears in season 11, playing Gino Barelli.

His other notable roles include Hollywood, The Watcher and Central Park West.

Season 12: Delicate

Matt Czuchry

Matt Czuchry appears in season 12 as Dexter Harding.

His other major roles include Gilmore Girls, The Good Wife and The Resident.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne plays Meg in season 12.

Beyond AHS, her other notable roles include Paper Towns, Suicide Squad and Only Murders in the Building. In her personal life, Delevingne has been dating musician Minke since 2022.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian appears in season 12, playing Siobhan Walsh.

She told Variety about joining the cast in May 2023, “We start shooting my stuff at the end of this month. But production has already started and I'm so excited. It's really fun to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new and grow. I'm so excited for the experience."

Kardashian gained notoriety starring on the reality show Keeping Up With the Kardashians as well as The Kardashians on Hulu. As for her personal life, the SKIMS founder was married to rapper Kanye West from 2014 to 2021, and they share four children.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez appears in season 12, playing Talia Donovan.

Her other notable roles include Pose, tick, tick…BOOM! and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

Annabelle Dexter-Jones

Annabelle Dexter-Jones appears in season 12 as Adeline Jouda.

Beyond AHS, her other major roles include Based on a True Story, The Calling and Succession. In her personal life, Dexter-Jones is the daughter of jewelry designer Ann Dexter-Jones and Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones. She’s also the half-sister of musicians Mark and Samantha Ronson.

Odessa A'zion

Odessa A’zion appears in season 12 as Gracie Walsh.

Her other notable roles include Good Girl Jane, Hellraiser and Sitting in Bars with Cake.