Lily Rabe is basically the secret weapon of the American Horror Story universe. You’ve seen her play the heartbroken ghost Nora Montgomery and the devil-possessed Sister Mary Eunice, but let’s be real: none of them hit quite like the swamp witch. In AHS: Coven, Lily Rabe stepped into the mud and moss as Misty Day, and honestly, the show was never the same after.
She wasn’t just another witch in a black dress.
Misty was different. She was a vibe—a mix of Stevie Nicks obsession, raw nature, and a heart so big it eventually became her downfall. Most people focus on the fashion or the Fleetwood Mac of it all, but there’s a lot more to what Rabe did with that character than just twirling in a shawl.
The Soul of AHS Coven: Lily Rabe and the Swamp Witch Mystery
When we first meet Misty Day, she’s being burned at the stake by a bunch of fanatics in the Louisiana backwoods. It’s a brutal start. But then, she just... comes back. Her gift of Resurgence isn’t just a plot device to keep the other characters from staying dead; it’s a reflection of who Misty is. She’s a survivor who doesn't even want to fight.
Ryan Murphy actually wrote this role specifically for Rabe. After her high-intensity, terrifying turn as the possessed nun in Asylum, he wanted her to play something "lighter." Ironically, Misty ended up being one of the most tragic figures in the entire series.
Rabe played her with this sort of feral innocence. She lived in a shack, hung out with alligators, and treated Stevie Nicks like a literal deity. It’s kind of funny when you think about it—this powerful necromancer who could raise the dead with a touch was mostly just looking for a friend who wouldn't try to kill her.
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Why fans are still obsessed with Misty Day
- The Stevie Nicks Connection: This wasn't just a random character trait. Lily Rabe is a huge fan in real life, and that passion bled into the performance. When Stevie actually showed up at the academy, Misty’s reaction felt 100% authentic.
- The "Neutral" Witch: While everyone else was backstabbing and fighting to be the next Supreme, Misty just wanted to grow her plants and listen to Rhiannon.
- The Aesthetic: Long before "Cottagecore" or "Whimsigoth" were trending on TikTok, Misty Day was the blueprint. The shawls, the boots, the messy blonde hair—it was iconic.
What most people get wrong about Misty’s power
There is a huge misconception that Misty was "weak" because she didn't want the crown.
That’s total nonsense.
Misty Day was arguably one of the most powerful witches the Coven ever saw. She didn't just bring people back; she brought herself back from being literal ash. She mastered most of the Seven Wonders without even trying. The reason she failed the Test of the Seven Wonders wasn't a lack of magic—it was a lack of ego.
Descending into Hell (Descensum) requires a certain level of hardness. You have to be able to detach. Misty was all heart. Getting stuck in that biology class, forced to dissect a frog over and over because she couldn't stand the sight of suffering? That wasn't a failure of her power. It was a testament to her humanity.
Honestly, the ending of Coven for Misty was a gut punch that stayed with fans for years. Watching her turn to dust in Cordelia’s arms while she was trapped in a loop of kindness being punished? It was the darkest thing the show ever did.
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Behind the scenes: Dirt, sweat, and New Orleans heat
Lily Rabe has talked before about how much she loved the physical side of playing Misty. They filmed in actual swamps. It wasn't some polished Hollywood set with fake mud.
She was genuinely covered in dirt and sweating through those layers of lace.
"I'd always rather be covered in real dirt," she once told Entertainment Weekly. That ruggedness is part of why the character felt so grounded despite all the magic. Rabe didn't play her as a "cool" witch; she played her as a "goober." That’s her own word for it. She saw Misty as someone who truly believed in the goodness of people, even after they burned her alive.
The Apocalypse redemption (Finally!)
If you’re a die-hard fan, you know that the AHS: Apocalypse crossover was basically a giant "I'm sorry" to Misty Day fans.
When Michael Langdon goes into Hell to bring her back, it’s one of the few moments where the audience actually feels conflicted about him being the Antichrist. Seeing Misty reunited with her "White Witch" Stevie Nicks for one last dance was the closure we all needed after the trauma of season three.
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It confirmed what we already knew: Misty Day was too pure for the world Ryan Murphy built, but she was the heart that kept it beating.
How to channel your inner Misty Day today
If you’re still thinking about Lily Rabe’s performance a decade later, you aren't alone. Misty’s legacy is about more than just a TV show; it’s about staying soft in a world that wants you to be hard.
- Reconnect with nature: Misty’s power came from the earth. Spend some time outside, even if it’s just a park and not a Louisiana swamp.
- Find your "tribe": Misty spent the whole season looking for her people. Value the friends who actually see you for who you are.
- Put on some Fleetwood Mac: Seriously. Turn up Gypsy or Seven Wonders and just move. It worked for her.
Lily Rabe’s work in Coven reminds us that the most memorable characters aren't always the ones who win the war. Sometimes, they’re the ones who remind us why the world is worth saving in the first place.
If you want to revisit her best moments, go back and watch episode 10, "The Magical Delights of Stevie Nicks." It’s the peak of the character’s joy before the tragic finale, and it showcases exactly why Rabe is the undisputed queen of the anthology.