seasons of American Horror Story have some characters and stories in common, thus forming a connected universe. Now, American Horror Story is getting ready for its 13th season, which is currently kept under wraps.

American Horror Story had a strong start with Murder House, Asylum, and Coven, but its quality has declined with time. The most recent season, Delicate, was a huge disappointment and wasn’t received well by critics and general audiences, despite bringing back some AHS veterans like Emma Roberts and Dennis O’Hare. With season 13 now in the works and no word yet on future seasons, it’s the perfect time to bring back original American Horror Story actors, some of whom haven’t been part of the show in a long time, and, hopefully, will improve the series.

5 Zachary Quinto

Zachary Quinto Has Appeared In 4 Seasons Of American Horror Story

Zachary Quinto has been part of American Horror Story since its first season. Quinto played Chad Warwick in Murder House, the last owner of the title house along with his boyfriend, Patrick, before the Harmons moved in. Quinto’s first lead role in American Horror Story, however, arrived the following season, Asylum, where he played Dr. Oliver Thredson, one of the characters with the best plot twists in the whole show.

Quinto was absent for eight seasons and returned in season 11, NYC, where he played Sam Jones, a wealthy art dealer involved in a truly disturbing situation. Despite only appearing in four seasons of American Horror Story, Quinto is one of the most popular and beloved frequent collaborators of the show, and it would be great to have him back in season 13.

4 Lily Rabe

Lily Rabe Has Appeared In 9 Seasons Of American Horror Story

Lily Rabe had her first role in American Horror Story in Murder House, though it was a minor appearance. Rabe played Nora Montgomery, the wife of celebrity doctor Charles Montgomery, the first owner of the Murder House. She was the mother of Thaddeus, who was kidnapped and dismembered by the vengeful boyfriend of one of Charles’ patients. Charles put his son back together, which was deeply traumatizing for Nora.

Thaddeus Montgomery went on to become “The Infantata.”

Rabe returned to American Horror Story to play Sister Mary Eunice in Asylum and Freak Show, Misty Day in Coven and Apocalypse, Aileen Wuornos in Hotel, Shelby Miller in Roanoke, Lavinia in 1984, and Doris Gardner and Amelia Earheart in Double Feature. Rabe didn’t return for NYC and Delicate, so it feels right to have her back in season 13.

3 Evan Peters

Evan Peters Has Appeared In 9 Seasons Of American Horror Story

One of the most popular and beloved frequent collaborators of American Horror Story is Evan Peters. His first role in the show, Tate Langdon in Murder House, is still one of the show’s most popular characters and earned Peters a spot in American Horror Story as a main character in eight more seasons. Peters returned in Asylum as Kit Walker, Kyle in Coven, Jimmy in Freak Show, James Patrick March in Hotel, Rory in Roanoke, Kai in Cult, Malcolm and Jeff in Apocalypse, and Austin in Double Feature.

Evan Peters played Tate and March again in Apocalypse, and played Andy Warhol, David Koresh, Jim Jones, Jesus, and Charles Manson in Cult.

Evan Peters was one of the biggest absentees in NYC and Delicate, and his performances throughout American Horror Story have been so well-received that it’s only fair that he returns for season 13, especially if it’s the last. Murphy teased in October 2024 that Peters might return for American Horror Story season 13, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

2 Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson Has Appeared In 9 Seasons Of American Horror Story

Another name heavily linked to American Horror Story and who should return in season 13 is Sarah Paulson. Her time in American Horror Story began with a recurring role in Murder House as medium Billie Dean Howard, a role she reprised in one episode of Apocalypse. Paulson has had main roles in American Horror Story since then, playing Lana Winters (which she reprised in Roanoke) in Asylum, Cordelia Goode in Coven and Apocalypse (where she also played Wilhemina Venable), twins Bette and Dot in Freak Show, Sally in Hotel, Audrey in Roanoke, and Tuberculosis Karen and Mamie Eisenhower in Double Feature.

Given her unforgettable and praised performances throughout American Horror Story, Paulson has become a fan-favorite, and with every season renewal, there’s hope for her to return. In the same interview where Murphy talked about Peters’ potential return, he also teased Paulson’s involvement in American Horror Story season 13 – it’s only a matter of her waiting for her return to be confirmed.

1 Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange Has Appeared In 5 Seasons Of American Horror Story

Arguably, the original American Horror Story actor that the audience has been eagerly waiting to see again is Jessica Lange. Despite only appearing in five seasons so far, Lange’s performances have been unforgettable and always considered one of the biggest strengths of their respective seasons. Lange’s first role in American Horror Story was Constance Langdon, Tate’s mother, in Murder House, which she reprised in Apocalypse. Lange went on to play Sister Jude in Asylum, Fiona Goode (Cordelia’s mother) in Coven, and Elsa Mars in Freak Show.

Apocalypse was the last time American Horror Story fans saw Lange, and there has been hope ever since that she would return to the show. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, there haven’t been any teases about Lange’s potential return to American Horror Story in season 13, but hope dies last and she could still be included in what could be the show’s final season.