Top 10 Female American Horror Story Characters

Kicking off our list is one of the nastiest characters in American Horror Story history, and one who just so happens to be based on a real person. Delphine LaLaurie was a rich New Orleans socialite in the 1830s who secretly tortured slaves and, in the show at least, used their blood and pancreases as a skin cream to reverse her aging. Her sadistic hobby gets her on the wrong side of the witch Marie Laveau, who makes LaLaurie immortal, and buries her underground to stay trapped forever… until she’s dug up in 2013. Kathy Bates’ terrifying performance manages to humanize this despicable character, while also making her insanely fun to watch.

One of the few recurring characters in the AHS world, Pepper has appeared in both Asylum and Freak Show. A “pinhead” in Elsa Mars’ freak show, Pepper eventually moved in with her biological sister who, sadly, didn’t really want her around. She was soon framed for the murder of her baby nephew, and shipped off to rot in Briarcliff Manor. Pepper was then cured by aliens who in return asked her to look after a human they had impregnated…. yeah don’t ask. Despite her secondary role and unique appearance, Pepper is one of the more transformative and beloved characters of the American Horror Story world, who many believe deserved better.

This fashion-loving witch was a fan favorite of American Horror Story: Coven. Portrayed by Frances Conroy, Myrtle is the head of the Witches’ Council, and her grudge against the Supreme witch ends up with her getting burned at the stake… twice. Whether she’s scooping out her enemies eyeballs with a melon baller, or simply delivering hilarious one-liners, this looney character was highly entertaining to watch, even in a season filled with heavy hitters. She also gets the best final words before her execution by fire: “BALENCIAGA!”

The head nun at Briarcliff Manor with a dark past, this complicated character played by the legendary Jessica Lange shines bright. A former lounge singer, Jude became a nun after believing she accidentally struck and killed a child when driving her car while drunk. She eventually becomes known as the toughest nun of the asylum, but the tables are turned on Jude when she gets committed herself. In her madness, Jude performs an entire musical performance of “The Name Game”, a standout moment from the show. Switching from detestable to deeply sympathetic, Lange’s flawless performance makes this character unforgettable and highly watchable.

Two heads are better than one, but these sisters may disagree. The main characters of American Horror Story: Freak Show, Bette and Dot Tattler are a pair of conjoined twins that share the same body. Bette is sweet and naive, with big dreams of being a star, while Dot is more stern, realistic and protective of her sister. After killing their mother in an act of rebellion, they run away and join Elsa Mars’ Cabinet of Curiosities, where their problems soon go from bad to worse. Impressive CGI and a fantastic dual performance from Sarah Paulson makes these characters stand out as some of the more memorable from American Horror Story’s large and colorful cast.

The supreme witch of New Orleans, this nasty piece of work will do anything to stay young and powerful forever. After living a life of luxury as the supreme, Fiona returns to her school to rule the coven again, and learn the secrets to eternal life. This role earned Jessica Lange her second Emmy for the show, and it’s easy to see why. Whether she’s delivering a fierce monologue or battling with the other witches to the death, she commands the screen. Hungry for power and an endless supply of magic, Goode is a force to be reckoned with and the undeniable star of the season.

Jessica Lange’s first role on AHS, Constance is the neighbor of the haunted house the first season focuses on, and she has more connections to these restless spirits than one might first think. She’s a faded southern belle who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty if it means protecting her good name, or her many children. We never truly know if Constance is a force for good or evil, but she delivers flawless shade while toeing the line. Devoted to her family, alive or dead, she’s cunning and will do whatever it takes to keep them together.

The one-time owner of the Hotel Cortez, this bloodsucking vixen is addicted to glamor, love and death. Played to perfection by pop star Lady Gaga, in her first big television role, the Countess is deliciously complex. Originally named Elizabeth, The Countess was a young actress who fell in love with a vampire who turned her into one of his own. She eventually married the serial killer James Patrick March and came to own the Hotel Cortez, revelling in the wealth and her own longevity. Gaga gives a stone cold yet campy performance with stunning outfit after outfit. She’s endlessly entertaining to watch, and, for her efforts, she was awarded a Golden Globe.

A character that goes through a massive transformation in her season, fans quickly fell in love with Lily Rabe’s chilling performance as a nun possessed by the devil. Mary Eunice starts out as a weak-willed, sensitive nun who works at Briarcliff, but her demeanor soon changes after she’s possessed and transformed into an agent of chaos in the asylum. She encourages the patients to give in to their darkest desires, and brutally kills anyone who suspects her true nature. One minute sweet and calm, and the next terrifying, you never know what you’ll get with this character.





Before we reveal the identity of our top pick, here are some honourable mentions:



Liz Taylor

“American Horror Story: Hotel”





Marie Laveau

“American Horror Story: Coven”



Adelaide Langdon

“American Horror Story: Murder House”

The hero of American Horror Story: Asylum, Lana Winters is a hard hitting journalist who goes through pure hell to get her story. Attempting to report on Briarcliff Manor, Lana soon finds herself admitted as a patient and the latest obsession for the psychotic serial killer Bloody Face. It’s not easy to watch this character go through so many horrifying moments, but Sarah Paulson’s performance makes you unable to turn away. Her strongly satisfying arc, as well as the subplot about her sexuality, and never-ending tenacity make her a huge fan favorite. She’s as tough as they come.