American Horror Story: Cult, the seventh installment of Ryan Murphy's anthology series, remains one of the most polarizing and politically charged seasons, captivating fans with its intense, non-supernatural horror narrative set immediately after the 2016 US Presidential Election. This season, which aired in 2017, featured a smaller, incredibly focused ensemble cast, pushing AHS mainstays and new faces into terrifying, clown-masked territory. As of December 2025, the careers of these actors are thriving, with major awards, blockbuster films, and highly anticipated new television projects on the horizon, proving their time in the cult was just a launching pad for massive success.
From the phobia-ridden Ally Mayfair-Richards to the chilling cult leader Kai Anderson, the talent showcased in AHS: Cult was undeniable. This deep dive reveals where the key players from the cast of AHS Season 7 are today, highlighting their most recent and upcoming projects to give you the freshest updates on the stars who brought the political horror of the clown cult to life.
The Core Cult: Main Cast & Current Endeavors (2024-2025)
The success of American Horror Story: Cult rested heavily on the shoulders of its leading actors, who delivered some of the most complex and demanding performances of the entire series. Here is a detailed look at the core cast and their recent career milestones, showcasing their topical authority.
- Sarah Paulson as Ally Mayfair-Richards
Role in Cult: A liberal, phobia-ridden woman whose life unravels after the election, making her vulnerable to Kai's cult. She is the season's primary protagonist and emotional anchor.
Current Endeavors: Paulson continues her reign as a powerhouse performer. In 2024, she won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her critically acclaimed role in a Broadway production. She is also set to star in the 2024 film Hold Your Breath and is collaborating once again with Ryan Murphy on the upcoming series All's Fair. - Evan Peters as Kai Anderson and Multiple Historical Figures
Role in Cult: The charismatic, manipulative, and sociopathic cult leader who exploits the political divide and Ally's fears. Peters also famously played multiple real-life cult and historical figures in flashback episodes, including Andy Warhol, Charles Manson, Jim Jones, and David Koresh.
Current Endeavors: Following his Emmy-winning turn in Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Peters has moved into major film roles. He is scheduled to star in the highly anticipated sci-fi sequel Tron: Ares, which is set for release in October 2025. He is also attached to the upcoming 2026 film The Beauty. - Alison Pill as Ivy Mayfair-Richards
Role in Cult: Ally’s wife and co-owner of the butchery, who is secretly a member of Kai’s cult and instrumental in Ally's psychological torture.
Current Endeavors: Pill has maintained a busy career across television and film. She is set to star in the 2024 drama film Young Werther and is slated to appear in M. Night Shyamalan's next untitled feature film, further cementing her status as a versatile actor. - Billie Lourd as Winter Anderson
Role in Cult: Kai's younger sister, a disaffected college dropout who becomes his first devoted recruit and Ally and Ivy's nanny.
Current Endeavors: Lourd’s career is rapidly expanding with several high-profile projects. She starred in the 2024 film The Last Showgirl, a role that reportedly reminded her of her late mother, Carrie Fisher. Looking ahead to 2025, she has roles in the animated film Smurfs and the feature film Adulthood. - Adina Porter as Beverly Hope
Role in Cult: A ruthless and ambitious television news reporter who joins Kai’s cult to regain her professional power and influence.
Current Endeavors: Porter continues to be a fixture on prestige television. In August 2024, she attended the premiere of Season 4 of the hit Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, demonstrating her continued presence in major TV events. She was also a main cast member in the Amazon Prime Video series Paper Girls.
The Cult's Inner Circle: Supporting Cast Entities
AHS: Cult featured a wealth of supporting talent, many of whom played integral roles in the cult's operations or were victims of its terror. These entities are crucial for understanding the season’s deep dive into fear and manipulation, and they contribute significantly to the overall topical authority of the season.
- Cheyenne Jackson as Dr. Rudy Vincent: Ally's therapist, who is later revealed to be Kai and Winter's older brother and a key figure in the cult's formation. Jackson continues his work with Ryan Murphy, appearing in other projects like American Horror Stories.
- Leslie Grossman as Meadow Wilton: A wealthy, disillusioned woman who joins the cult with her husband, Harrison, and later plays a pivotal role in a shocking public event. Grossman has since become a regular in the AHS universe.
- Billy Eichner as Harrison Wilton: Meadow’s openly gay, aggressively liberal husband who, along with Meadow, joins Kai’s cult. Eichner is known for his comedy and has since starred in his own romantic comedy film, Bros.
- Colton Haynes as Detective Samuels: A corrupt police detective who is secretly a member of Kai’s cult and helps cover up their crimes.
- Chaz Bono as Gary Longstreet: A pro-Trump grocery store manager who is brutally murdered by the cult in a ritualistic manner to frame Ally.
- Emma Roberts as Serena Belinda: A careerist journalist who is an old colleague of Beverly Hope and is murdered for her ambition. Roberts has continued her AHS journey in later seasons.
- Frances Conroy as Bebe Babbitt: A sinister extremist and former associate of Valerie Solanas who manipulates Kai to advance her own political agenda. Conroy is an AHS veteran who regularly returns to the series.
- Lena Dunham as Valerie Solanas: The radical feminist writer and founder of the SCUM Manifesto, whose real-life story is explored in a flashback episode. Dunham is a celebrated writer and director, best known for the series Girls.
- Dermot Mulroney as Bob Thompson: Beverly Hope's sexist and abusive boss at the news station.
- Mare Winningham as Sally Keffler: A political figure from Kai Anderson's past.
The Political Horror of AHS: Cult and Evan Peters’ Unforgettable Multiple Roles
Season 7, AHS: Cult, marked a significant thematic departure for the series, moving away from ghosts, witches, and vampires to focus entirely on psychological and political horror. The central conflict—a battle between an irrational fear (Ally’s phobias) and a manufactured terror (Kai’s cult)—created a deeply unsettling atmosphere. The entire season is a commentary on the corrosive effects of political extremism, social media echo chambers, and the weaponization of fear in the modern American landscape.
One of the most talked-about elements of the season was Evan Peters’ astonishing versatility. Not only did he anchor the entire season as the terrifying, blue-haired Kai Anderson, but he took on the unprecedented challenge of portraying five notorious real-life cult leaders and historical figures in a single season. This feat of acting showcased his immense range and solidified his status as a fan-favorite AHS star. His roles included:
- Jim Jones: The infamous leader of the Peoples Temple who orchestrated the mass murder-suicide in Jonestown.
- David Koresh: The charismatic leader of the Branch Davidians involved in the Waco siege.
- Charles Manson: The notorious cult leader responsible for the Tate-LaBianca murders.
- Andy Warhol: The iconic pop artist, a victim of Valerie Solanas’s assassination attempt.
- Jesus Christ: Peters also briefly appeared as a fictionalized Jesus in a vision, adding a layer of messianic complexity to Kai's self-perception.
Peters' ability to morph into these radically different, yet equally disturbing, characters provided a masterclass in performance. His portrayal of Kai Anderson, in particular, captured the terrifying ease with which a charismatic figure can exploit societal anxieties to amass power and build a loyal, murderous following. This multi-role performance is often cited as one of the best in the entire American Horror Story franchise, adding immense topical authority to the season.
Legacy and Continued Relevance of the AHS Season 7 Cast
The cast of AHS Season 7, or AHS: Cult, delivered a raw, timely, and unforgettable television experience. The season's focus on non-supernatural, real-world fears—clowns, political division, and cult mentality—resonated deeply with audiences, earning it high praise for its social commentary. The core actors, including Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters, proved their ability to tackle sensitive and emotionally grueling material with finesse.
Years after the season aired, the cast members continue to dominate Hollywood, from Paulson's Tony win and upcoming collaboration with Ryan Murphy to Peters' transition into major sci-fi franchises like Tron: Ares. The collective success of the ensemble cast underscores the show's reputation as a launchpad for extraordinary talent. Whether you were captivated by Ally's descent into paranoia or terrified by Kai's rise to power, the stars of AHS: Cult are a testament to the enduring power of modern television horror.
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