Ranking 10 Best American Horror Story Characters (Lady Gaga is Only #2)

Apart from some hauntingly unforgettable seasons, American Horror Story has also provided a number of memorable characters which you either love or maybe fear. From sinister psychopaths to tortured souls, the series has undoubtedly created some genuinely iconic figures portrayed by fantastic actors.

Here are the 10 best AHS characters ranked from all of its 10 seasons so far.

10. Liz Taylor (Denis O'Hare) - Hotel

Liz Taylor isn't just a name; she's a statement. Played masterfully by Denis O'Hare in Hotel, Liz is the embodiment of confidence and self-discovery. A transgender woman, she is transformed from an awkward, shy, unhappy businessman into the personification of Elizabeth Taylor herself. The character also brings a lighter and likable energy to an overall darker and more mysterious season.

9. Tate Langdon (Evan Peters) - Murder House

Tate Langdon, portrayed by Evan Peters in the initial season of Murder House, is the classic example of a twisted character who you can't tell if you should love or hate. A clearly troubled teen caught between love and malevolence, Tate faces a lot of mental anguish, making him all the more complex and interesting as a character. Peters also does a brilliant job of capturing the essence of the character's torment, making him simply unforgettable.

8. Misty Day (Lily Rabe) - Coven

In the show's most highly-rated season, Coven, Lily Rabe's portrayal of Misty Day is hard not to love. Her mystical abilities and gentle heart amidst the chaos of the rest of the coven certainly add to her alluring character. Rabe also brings a delicate vulnerability to Misty that resonates deeply with viewers, making her journey one of the most captivating in the series.

7. Lana Winters (Sarah Paulson) - Asylum

Lana Winters, played by Sarah Paulson in Asylum, is an undercover journalist committed to finding the truth. However, during Lana's investigation, she finds herself trapped as a patient instead and forced to experience the mistreatment of Briarcliff Manor Asylum. Fortunately, the character manages to escape, reappearing to investigate cases during other seasons of Roanoke and Cult.

6. Montana Duke (Billie Lourd) - 1984

Billie Lourd's portrayal of Montana Duke certainly presents one of the best characters in 1984. Unlike the other counselors at Camp Redwood, Montana is sensual, outgoing, and sassy, making her all the more loveable. The character oozes charisma, showing Lourd having fun with the role as she shines in this otherwise weaker AHS season.

5. Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange) - Coven

Jessica Lange appears as many prominent characters throughout the AHS seasons. However, her portrayal of Fiona Goode in Coven is the most memorable. The head of the coven and the Witch Supreme, Fiona, represents a powerhouse struggling with the idea of her own demise and that she must eventually pass all of her gifts onto another. Her insatiable hunger for power as she attempts to betray anyone to get what she wants, along with Lange's magnetic performance, makes her one of AHS's best villains.

4. Twisty (John Carroll Lynch) - Freak Show

In Freak Show, John Carroll Lynch dons the disturbing mask of Twisty the Clown, a character that still terrifies our nightmares. With a tragic backstory that is just as discomforting, he Mercilessly kills because of his psychotic beliefs. Twisty is also one of the series' most violent killers and possibly the best example of a traditional horror character throughout the entire series.

3. Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett) - Coven

The voodoo queen of New Orleans, Angela Bassett, gives a stand-out performance as Marie Laveau in Coven. Although her involved backstory is undoubtedly one of tragedy, she manages to hold her own against her rival, Fiona Goode. Bassett's commanding presence as the character brings much mystery and intrigue to the series.

2. The Countess (Lady Gaga) - Hotel

Lady Gaga's pop star glamor effortlessly creates an air of elegance and dominance in her role as the Countess in Hotel. In fact, the superstar's mesmerizing portrayal as the beautifully seductive but monstrous vampire leads you to believe no one is better suited for the role. Becoming not just one of the season's best characters but of the entire series, she steals every scene she appears in.

1. Madison Montgomery (Emma Roberts) - Coven

Finally, Emma Roberts' portrayal of Madison Montgomery in Coven is simply iconic. The bitchy, sassy, and entirely self-serving character has some of the best lines, the best styles, and also the best scenes in AHS overall. Roberts has to be praised for her perfect delivery of bad bitch energy like no one else, which has seen her return to play the character in Apocalypse as well. Madison's biting one-liners and unapologetic personality simply make her the best character in AHS history, hands down.