There are a few American Horror Story regular cast members that make the show as great as it is, but there's one who truly sits at the heart of the series: Sarah Paulson. Even in the seasons that feature the legendary Jessica Lange, Paulson holds her own in every scene. The actress has only been absent from one American Horror Story season so far, and viewers certainly felt the void left behind.
Paulson has played 8 characters in the series since it premiered in 2011; although, that number could technically be as high as 10 depending on how one divides her characters in Season 4 and Season 6. From reigning Supreme to being an imprisoned journalist to staring as psychic medium, some of Paulson's characters have been more appealing than others.
Audrey Tindall as Shelby Miller: Roanoke
Since Season 6 plays out as a show within a show, many cast members portray actors who are also playing a role on the fictional show. Paulson is the actress Audrey Tindall, who plays Shelby Miller during the reenactments of My Roanoke Nightmare. It's a little confusing, especially since by the end of the season the actors are intermingled with their real-life counterparts. As far as Paulson characters go, this pairing is the weakest. Her performance is expectedly dynamic and memorable, even if the character itself is not; however, the Audrey/Shelby combo fades into the background a bit.
Ally Mayfair-Richards: Cult
At the beginning of the season, Ally Mayfair-Richards is a weak-willed woman riddled with anxiety and various phobias while also living in the shadow of her type-A wife, Ivy. Throughout the season the character completes a complex character arc, evolving from a timid and powerless person into a strong and fearless woman, who kills prominent members of the cult and runs for Senator. This character may have worked well against the backdrop of a better season; Mayfair-Richards herself is very interesting, but the character has arguably the worst season of American Horror Story working against her. Overall, not a memorable turn by Paulson, albeit through no fault of her own.
Wilhelmina Venable: Apocalypse
Paulson actually plays a number of characters this season, but the tyrannical leader of Outpost 3 is the only character original to Season 8. Wilhelmina is insufferable and unlikable, channeling a lifetime of powerless, submission and taking it upon herself to inflict terror on the residents of the Outpost under false pretences. Once Langdon orders Mead to kill Wilhelmina instead of taking her to the new fallout shelter like she hoped, viewers are definitely satisfied. Despite being a terrible person, Wilhelmina is interesting and dynamic to watch, which is what gives her a better ranking on this list.
Billie Dean Howard: Murder House
This is Paulson's most minor role, and her introduction to the series in the first season. Howard is an interesting character, appearing in three seasons: Murder House, Hotel and Apocalypse. In the first season, Billie Dean is brought to the Murder House to perform a reading, which is where she foretells the coming of Michael Langdon, the Antichrist. This character has a number of impressive powers, with her medium abilities proving to be legitimate. She is also one of the few living people the ghosts in the Murder House allow to come and go as she pleases. Her versatility is what makes her so interesting, along with her witty one-liners and tongue-in-cheek portrayal of reality star mediums.
Sally McKenna: Hotel
Otherwise known as Hypodermic Sally, this is one of Paulson's most dynamic and interesting characters. After being murdered in the 90s at the Hotel Cortez, Sally stalks the halls and takes pleasure in haunting the guests. Sally is a tragic character, with her life before death being consumed by drugs and her afterlife consumed with the search for love. She briefly hints at a lost music career in the 80s while she was alive, and ultimately becomes a successful social media star after death. Sally is a sympathetic and complex character, who the audience can't help but fall in love with.
Bette and Dot Tattler: Freak Show
Easily Paulson's most impressive acting effort in the series, with the actress portraying two very distinct sisters. The method of filming also requires Paulson to act against a dummy head in scenes where Bette and Dot are interacting with one another. The concept of conjoined twins is fascinating enough, but the Tattler twins are so much more. Each sister has her own personality, making them separate characters entirely. Bette is the sweet and naive twin while Dot is much more cynical and mean. The twin's struggle with the idea of being separated by surgery, which provides an interesting dynamic, and the audience is no doubt satisfied with the happy ending of both sisters marrying Jimmy.
Cordelia Goode: Coven/Apocalypse
Cordelia is another of Paulson's characters who has evolved in a favorable way throughout the series. Cordelia appears prominently in Coven as well as Apocalypse, but it is in Season 3 where the audience falls in love with her first. Initially Cordelia is portrayed as a sweet and mild-mannered teacher, with a cheating and murderous husband as well as a tumultuous relationship with her mother, Fiona. Coven is where Cordelia comes into her own as the Supreme, and Apocalypse is where she shows how bad-ass she truly is.
Lana Winters: Asylum
Paulson's first lead role of the series came in Season 2 with Lana Winters. A journalist who's wrongfully committed to the Briarcliff Manor Asylum in 1960s Massachusetts makes a fascinating and complex character, especially set against a backdrop that poses as its own antagonist. Winters is a prominent member of the community, and therefore is forced to hide her sexual orientation and keep her relationship with her girlfriend a secret. Lana is strong willed, determined and highly professional, making her not just an interesting character, but she is also an interesting person. Lana makes appearances outside Asylum in Roanoke and Cult, much to the delight of viewers, and she is widely considered a fan favorite in the series.