Showrunner Ryan Murphy has been a bit more forthcoming with details surrounding American Horror Story: Cult than seasons past, but many of the show’s finer points are still shrouded in mystery. Some of the most enigmatic elements revolve around the American Horror Story: Cult guest stars: We know who they are, but little to nothing about who they’re playing.
As with any AHS installment, the cast includes a wide array of new and returning faces. For Cult, Murphy opted for left-of-center picks like Lena Dunham and Billy Eichner, who have in the past been more at home in comedic settings than the campy but terror-soaked horror of AHS. He also pulled from his lengthy roster of series vets, inviting back actors including Emma Roberts, Adina Porter, and Frances Conroy.
Fans also know by now that the plot is tied to the 2016 presidential election and the polarizing aftermath that trailed it. Sarah Paulson portrays a Michigan woman named Ally Mayfair-Richards, while Evan Peters leads as everyone from an erratic political obsessive named Kai to Charles Manson and Andy Warhol. As for the guest stars, though, information is scarce, and in some cases, that information doesn't even include a character name. Nevertheless, here's what Team AHS has shared about the cameos you can expect to see this season:
Lena Dunham
Five months after wrapping the sixth and final season of her acclaimed HBO dramedy Girls, Lena Dunham returns to TV as AHS' Valerie Solanas, based on the woman who infamously shot artist Andy Warhol in June 1968, per Time.
Billy Eichner
Billy On The Street and Difficult People alum Billy Eichner makes his AHS debut as Harrison Wilton. Little is known about the character beyond that he'll play a friend to Paulson's Ally and will be wearing many "mysterious tank tops," per Deadline, though Eichner did tease some details during a recent appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers. He said:
“This is the biggest departure that I think most people have seen [from me], and it’s serious. There are some darkly funny moments, but it’s mostly serious and violent and sexual and all the things people have always wanted to see from me.”
Emma Roberts
You probably thought you'd seen the last of Emma Roberts on AHS, but after a two year break, the Coven and Freak Show vet returns as Serina Belinda, a newscaster who gets promoted over Adina Porter's Beverly Hope "simply because she’s much more superficial and willing to do what it takes to survive," Murphy told TV Line.
Colton Haynes
Following a stint on Murphy's Scream Queens, Arrow and Teen Wolf star Colton Haynes shifts gears to AHS to play the enigmatic Detective Samuels.
Adina Porter
Adina Porter (The 100, True Blood) first joined AHS for a one episode arc on Murder House, but returned for a recurring role as Lee Harris in last year's Roanoke. Here, she portrays the broadcast journalist usurped by Roberts' Serina.
Frances Conroy
AHS favorite Frances Conroy — who's been on each of the show's seasons except Hotel — returns in an undisclosed part.
John Carroll Lynch
John Caroll Lynch (The Drew Carey Show, Shutter Island) brings back Freak Show's sinister serial killer Twisty the Clown for Cult.
Mare Winningham
Mare Winningham, who fans will recognize from Coven, Freak Show and Hotel, appears in a yet to be revealed part.
Chaz Bono
After making his AHS debut in Roanoke as Lot Polk/Brian Wells, Chaz Bono returns for Season 7 in a still unknown role.
Leslie Grossman
Leslie Grossman — who was a regular on Murphy’s 1999-2001 WB series Popular — joins AHS as Meadow Wilton — who's likely related to Eichner's character.
With so many details and characters still under wraps, you'll just have to tune into AHS: Cult starting on Sept. 5 to see how things shake out.
