The AHS: Roanoke Cast: Where Are They Now? Shocking New Roles For Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, And Kathy Bates In 2025

The sixth season of American Horror Story, titled Roanoke, remains one of the franchise's most polarizing and inventive entries. It shattered the show's established formula by adopting a documentary-style format, My Roanoke Nightmare, followed by a deadly "reality show" sequel, Return to Roanoke: Three Days in Hell. This unique structure required nearly every major actor to play two roles—the "real" person and the "re-enactment" actor—a creative challenge that showcased the incredible versatility of the core AHS ensemble. As of December 10, 2025, the cast has moved on to projects that are just as compelling, with several actors landing major, award-worthy roles that redefine their careers outside the Ryan Murphy universe.

The season’s success hinged entirely on the cast’s ability to sell the meta-horror, from the terrifying brutality of The Butcher to the behind-the-scenes drama of the production crew. Years later, we look back at the key players who brought the terrifying legend of the Lost Colony to life and reveal the massive, high-profile projects they are currently dominating on screen.

The Dual Roles: A Full List of the AHS: Roanoke Cast and Characters

American Horror Story: Roanoke featured a tight-knit ensemble, many of whom are AHS veterans. The season required actors to portray both the "real-life" survivor or victim and the actor playing them in the fictional documentary. This is the complete breakdown of the main cast's dual roles, which created the season's unique topical authority:

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• Sarah Paulson: Played Audrey Tindall (the English actress) and re-enacted Shelby Miller (the "real" survivor).
• Kathy Bates: Played Agnes Mary Winstead (the unstable actress) and re-enacted Thomasin White, also known as The Butcher.
• Cuba Gooding Jr.: Played Dominic Banks (the actor) and re-enacted Matt Miller (the "real" survivor).
• Adina Porter: Played Lee Harris (the "real" survivor) and was re-enacted by Angela Bassett's character.
• Lily Rabe: Played Shelby Miller (the "real" survivor) and was re-enacted by Sarah Paulson's character.
• André Holland: Played Matt Miller (the "real" survivor) and was re-enacted by Cuba Gooding Jr.'s character.
• Evan Peters: Played Rory Monahan (the actor who played Edward Philippe Mott) and was killed early in the season.
• Angela Bassett: Played Monet Tumusiime (the actress) and re-enacted Lee Harris.
• Cheyenne Jackson: Played Sidney Aaron James (the unhinged producer of the reality show).
• Denis O'Hare: Played William Van Henderson (the actor) and re-enacted Dr. Elias Cunningham.
• Wes Bentley: Played Dylan (the actor) and re-enacted Ambrose White.
• Lady Gaga: Played Scáthach, the ancient witch.
• Frances Conroy: Played Mama Polk.
• Leslie Jordan: Played Cricket Marlowe (the medium) and Ashley Gilbert (the actor who played Cricket).

Sarah Paulson and Kathy Bates: The AHS Queens’ 2025 Career Renaissance

The veteran actresses of the AHS universe, Sarah Paulson and Kathy Bates, have cemented their status as Hollywood heavyweights, with both securing major, high-profile roles in 2025 that are generating significant buzz. Their work on Roanoke, where Paulson delivered a memorable performance as the frantic Audrey Tindall and Bates embodied the terrifying Agnes Mary Winstead, served as a powerful springboard for their current success.

Sarah Paulson: From Roanoke's Final Girl to Legal Eagle

Since surviving the horrors of the Roanoke property, Sarah Paulson has continued her fruitful collaboration with Ryan Murphy. However, her 2025 projects show her branching out into new and exciting territory.

• New Hulu Series: Paulson is set to star in the highly anticipated new Hulu legal series, *All's Fair*.
• Star-Studded Cast: This new venture places her alongside other major stars, including Glenn Close, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash Betts, and even Kim Kardashian, marking a significant moment in the television landscape.
• Critical Acclaim: Her career post-Roanoke has been defined by acclaimed roles in series like Ratched and American Crime Story, proving her ability to carry a series with her intense, character-driven performances.

Kathy Bates: The Emmy-Nominated Matlock Reboot

Kathy Bates, whose portrayal of the unhinged actress Agnes Mary Winstead (and her terrifying re-enactment of The Butcher) was a season highlight, is experiencing a major career high in 2025.

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• Lead Role in *Matlock*: Bates stars as the titular lead, Madeline Matlock, in the CBS reboot of the classic legal drama.
• 2025 Emmy Nomination: For her work on the series, Bates received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 2025 Emmy Awards, showcasing her enduring talent and relevance.
• A Career Turn: The role in *Matlock* represents a shift from the often-macabre roles she played in AHS, demonstrating her versatility in a network drama format.

Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, and Adina Porter: Post-Roanoke Triumphs

The rest of the core Roanoke cast has also achieved remarkable success, with their performances in Season 6 proving to be a critical stepping stone to high-profile projects, from true crime to major film franchises. The season’s emphasis on the brutal realism of Adina Porter’s character, Lee Harris, and the shocking death of Evan Peters’ Rory Monahan, made a lasting impression on audiences and casting directors alike.

Evan Peters: From Ghostly Actor to True Crime Icon

Evan Peters, a fan favorite who played the ill-fated Rory Monahan, has taken a deliberate step back from the AHS universe, citing the mental toll of playing such dark characters.

• The *Dahmer* Phenomenon: His career-defining performance as Jeffrey Dahmer in the 2022 Netflix series *Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story* earned him widespread critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award.
• A Break from Horror: Peters' work on *Dahmer* was a direct continuation of the intense, psychologically demanding roles he perfected on AHS, though he has expressed a need for lighter roles following the experience.

Angela Bassett: Taking Command in Film and TV

Angela Bassett, who played the talented but troubled actress Monet Tumusiime, has had a phenomenal career resurgence, demonstrating her power as a leading lady in both film and television.

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• The President of the United States: In 2025, Bassett is starring as the President of the United States in the new Netflix political thriller series, *Zero Day*, opposite Robert De Niro.
• Mission Impossible Franchise: She is also set to return to the blockbuster film world, reprising her role in the final installment of the *Mission Impossible* franchise.
• The 9-1-1 Universe: Bassett continues to anchor the popular procedural drama *9-1-1* as the iconic character Athena Grant, a role that has earned her multiple awards.

Adina Porter: The Unforgettable Lee Harris

Adina Porter, who delivered a powerhouse, Emmy-nominated performance as the "real" Lee Harris, has become one of the most respected figures in modern television.

• Continued Success: Her work on Roanoke, which saw her character survive the horrors of the Lost Colony, cemented her as a formidable dramatic presence.
• Diverse Filmography: Since AHS, Porter has maintained a steady stream of roles in critically praised series, showcasing her ability to bring depth and authenticity to any character she plays.

The Enduring Legacy of Roanoke’s Meta-Horror

AHS: Roanoke remains a pivotal season in the show's history because of its meta-narrative. The concept of the "re-enactment" vs. "reality" allowed for a deep dive into the show’s own mythology, introducing terrifying entities like the Piggy Man and the ancient witch Scáthach, all tied to the mystery of the real-life Lost Colony of Roanoke. The season's second half, Return to Roanoke: Three Days in Hell, was a brutal commentary on reality television, where the actors and their "real-life" counterparts returned to the house, only to be slaughtered by the vengeful ghosts and the terrifying Butcher. This bold structure, driven by the cast’s commitment to their dual roles, continues to be a major talking point among fans and critics, proving that the Season 6 ensemble was one of the most talented and dynamic in the entire American Horror Story franchise.