Which characters did Emma Roberts play throughout American Horror Story? The horror anthology series, created by Ryan Murphy, has a history of bringing back cast members for multiple seasons. The show is heading into its ninth season, titled American Horror Story: 1984, in the fall and a tenth season is confirmed for 2020.
Roberts’ first American Horror Story appearance came in season 3 and from there, she turned into one of Murphy’s go-to young actresses. She wasn’t a stranger to horror prior to her AHS introduction as Roberts appeared in Scream 4. Following Roberts’ involvement in the FX series, Murphy cast her in his horror-comedy, Scream Queens. The series was canceled after two seasons which allowed Roberts to return to American Horror Story.
Roberts was one of the first cast members confirmed to appear in American Horror Story: 1984. Not much is known regarding the plot other than the fact that it will be an ode to 1980’s slasher movies and it takes place at Camp Redwood. As viewers await the upcoming season of AHS, let’s take a look back at the other character that Roberts has played.
Madison Montgomery In American Horror Story: Coven
When Roberts made her AHS debut, she portrayed the coven’s resident mean girl. Madison Montgomery was a teenage Hollywood star who found herself at Miss Robichaux’s Academy to learn how to control her powers as a witch. She craved power and attention, which is why Madison felt entitled to become the next Supreme. Cordelia saw promise in Madison’s tough exterior but there was no hope in changing the girl’s selfish ways. She failed the “Seven Wonders” test to emerge as the next Supreme and was subsequently strangled by Kyle.
Maggie Esmerelda In American Horror Story: Freak Show
Murphy must have loved what he saw from Roberts because she returned for American Horror Story season 4. This time around, Roberts played a much more easy-going character, although Maggie Esmerelda held on to some dark secrets. Maggie worked as a fortune teller for the local freak show, Fräulein Elsa’s Cabinet of Curiosities. In reality, she was a con artist working with another man in the hopes of killing the “freaks” with the intention of selling the bodies to a museum. Maggie had a change of heart when she got to know the fellow performers. She was later sawed in half by Chester Creb in an illusion gone wrong.
Serena Belinda In American Horror Story: Cult
After a few years away, Roberts returned to the series in American Horror Story season 7. The role was minor as the actress only appeared in one episode. Roberts played Serena Belinda, a newscaster and the colleague of Beverly Hope. Serena had an intense rivalry with Beverly, something that Kai Anderson noticed. After Beverly pledged her allegiance to Kai’s cult, he repaid the favor and target Serena as the reward for his new member’s loyalty. While Serena and her cameraman were pre-recording a segment, a group of clowns showed up and killed them.
Madison Montgomery In American Horror Story: Apocalypse
Roberts reprised her role as Madison for American Horror Story season 9. The installment served as a crossover of season 1, Murder House, and season 3, Coven. After Madison’s death in Coven, it was revealed that she was sent to her own personal hell, working in a department store. Madison was resurrected by Michael Langdon, who she later found out was the Antichrist. As one of the few witches who survived the apocalypse, Madison worked with the rest of the coven find a way to go back in time and stop the Antichrist. The coven rewrote the timeline which meant Madison was sent back to hell but the witches hinted that they will bring her back, eventually. Madison and the rest of the witches will reportedly return in a future season.