When Billie Lourd first showed up in the American Horror Story universe back in 2017, people weren't quite sure what to expect. She was mostly known as the daughter of the legendary Carrie Fisher and for wearing those iconic earmuffs in Scream Queens. But then Cult happened.
Honestly, she didn't just join the cast; she kind of took it over.
Lourd has this specific energy. It’s a mix of "I’m incredibly bored" and "I might actually kill you in your sleep." It’s perfect for Ryan Murphy’s chaotic sandbox. Since then, she’s become a staple of the franchise, appearing in almost every season since her debut. If you’ve been keeping track, that’s six seasons and counting, including the massive announcement for the upcoming Season 13.
Most fans think of Sarah Paulson or Evan Peters as the faces of the show, but Billie Lourd is basically the glue holding the modern era of AHS together.
The Characters of Billie Lourd: American Horror Story Roles Ranked
You can't talk about her impact without looking at the sheer range of weirdos she’s played. She doesn't just do one "type."
In Cult, she was Winter Anderson. She was cold, manipulative, and had that gray hair that everyone tried to copy that year. Winter was a complicated mess—a liberal who somehow got sucked into her brother’s alt-right cult. Lourd played it with this haunting stillness.
Then came Apocalypse. This was the big one.
She played Mallory. At first, you think she’s just a timid assistant to a billionaire brat (played by Leslie Grossman, her frequent on-screen partner in crime). But then—plot twist—she’s a literal Supreme witch. Mallory is the one who eventually goes back in time to run over the Antichrist with a Range Rover. It was peak AHS camp.
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Here is the rundown of her primary roles so far:
- Cult: Winter Anderson & Linda Kasabian
- Apocalypse: Mallory (The time-traveling Supreme)
- 1984: Montana Duke (The aerobic-loving, serial-killer-dating ghost)
- Double Feature: Leslie "Lark" Feldman (A tattoo artist with a side hustle in "The Pale" fashion)
- NYC: Dr. Hannah Wells (A scientist tracking a mysterious virus)
- Delicate: Ashley (One of the mysterious, sinister "Ashleys")
Why Montana Duke Is Actually Her Best Performance
If you haven't watched 1984, you’re missing out on Lourd’s most fun role. Montana Duke was a 1980s fever dream. She had the big hair, the spandex, and a bizarre obsession with Richard Ramirez.
Lourd played Montana with so much charisma that you almost forgot she was a literal murderer. It’s hard to make a character like that likable, but she did it. She brought this "cool girl" vibe to the slasher genre that felt fresh.
What’s Happening With Season 13?
The rumors are finally dead because the facts are out.
Billie Lourd is confirmed for American Horror Story Season 13. This season is looking like a massive "greatest hits" reunion. We’re talking Jessica Lange coming back. Sarah Paulson is back. Evan Peters is back. Even Ariana Grande is reportedly joining the fray.
There’s a lot of chatter that Season 13 might be a sequel or a companion piece to Coven and Apocalypse. If that’s the case, Lourd might be reprising her role as Mallory. Fans have been dying to see the witches again, especially since the timeline was reset at the end of Season 8.
Why Most People Get Her Impact Wrong
A lot of critics say Lourd is "deadpan," as if it's a limitation. They’re wrong.
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In NYC, she played Dr. Hannah Wells. This wasn't a "fun" role. It was grounded, tragic, and serious. She was the one sounding the alarm about the burgeoning AIDS crisis while everyone else was looking the other way. It showed that she could handle the "horror" of real life just as well as the "horror" of ghosts and ghouls.
She brings a specific type of Gen Z/Millennial cynicism to the show that balances out the high melodrama of actors like Patti LuPone or Kathy Bates.
Breaking Down the "Murphy-Verse" Connection
Billie Lourd didn't just stumble into AHS. Ryan Murphy basically hand-picked her after seeing what she did with Chanel #3 in Scream Queens.
There’s a certain rhythm to Murphy’s dialogue. It’s fast. It’s mean. It’s witty. Lourd hits those beats better than almost anyone in the current ensemble. She knows how to deliver a line about murder as if she’s ordering a latte.
The Evolution of the "AHS" It-Girl
For a long time, the show relied on the "Holy Trinity": Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, and Emma Roberts.
But as the show moved into its second decade, it needed new blood. Lourd stepped into that space perfectly. She bridges the gap between the classic horror fans and the newer audience that grew up on social media.
She’s also one of the few cast members who seems to genuinely enjoy the campiness. While some actors might pull back when the scripts get too "out there," Lourd leans in. Whether she’s being decapitated or casting spells, she’s 100% committed to the bit.
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Acting Through Grief
It’s also worth noting—and this is something fans really respect—that she joined the AHS family shortly after the passing of her mother and grandmother.
She’s mentioned in interviews that working on Cult was actually therapeutic. It gave her a place to put all that heavy emotion. You can see that raw vulnerability in some of her scenes as Winter, especially when the character is unraveling. It’s not just "acting"; it’s a person finding their footing in a very public way.
What to Watch Next if You’re a Fan
If you’ve already binged every season of American Horror Story, there are a few other places to catch Lourd’s specific brand of magic.
- Scream Queens: This is essential viewing. Her character, Chanel #3, is the blueprint for everything she does in AHS.
- American Horror Stories: Don't confuse this with the main show. This is the anthology spin-off. Lourd stars in the episode "Ba'al" in Season 1. It’s a classic gaslighting horror story with a supernatural twist.
- Booksmart: If you want to see her do pure comedy, watch this. She plays Gigi, a character who is somehow everywhere at once. It’s arguably the funniest performance in the entire movie.
Getting the Most Out of Her AHS Journey
If you’re new to the show, don’t feel like you have to watch every season in order. AHS is an anthology, so you can jump around.
If you want the "Billie Lourd Experience," start with 1984. It’s the most accessible and shows off her range. Then go to Apocalypse if you want to see her take the lead.
The main thing to remember is that Billie Lourd isn't just "the daughter of a star." She’s earned her spot. She’s survived the weirdest writing rooms in Hollywood and come out as a fan favorite.
As we head into Season 13, the expectations are sky-high. With a cast this stacked, it’s going to be a battle for screen time. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that you should never count Billie Lourd out. She has a way of stealing scenes when you least expect it.
Keep an eye on the official FX social media channels for the first teaser trailers of Season 13, which are expected to drop in late summer. Until then, re-watching Cult is probably your best bet to see where her AHS journey truly began.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Track the Timeline: If you’re watching Apocalypse, pay close attention to the time-travel mechanics; it’s the key to understanding how Lourd’s character Mallory might reappear in future seasons.
- Watch the Spin-offs: Check out American Horror Stories (plural) on Hulu for standalone episodes that often feature Lourd and other series regulars in completely different roles.
- Follow the Cast: Ryan Murphy often drops "hints" about upcoming characters on his Instagram, and Lourd is known for sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of her hair and makeup transformations which usually signal her character's vibe.