Sarah Paulson Disliked American Horror Story: Roanoke
The actress named the 2016 installment as her least favorite season during an interview.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Television
Live Poll
Do you prefer it when colleagues are transparent about their disagreements regarding joint projects?
Sarah Paulson, who has appeared in 10 seasons of American Horror Story, recently revealed that she struggled with the show's sixth season, Roanoke. The 51-year-old actress shared her thoughts on the production just ahead of the premiere of the series' 13th season.
Why it matters
Public commentary from long-standing cast members offers fans a unique look into the internal creative challenges of long-running television anthologies. Ryan Murphy has since publicly defended the season on social media, highlighting the subjective nature of the show's creative direction.
Sarah Paulson has appeared in 10 seasons of the American Horror Story franchise, which currently spans 13 total installments. Roanoke, the season in question, served as the series' sixth entry.
The players
Sarah Paulson
She is a 51-year-old actress known for her extensive collaborations with Ryan Murphy across multiple television projects.
Ryan Murphy
He is a prolific television writer and producer who created the American Horror Story anthology series.
The details
During a red carpet interview, Paulson identified Roanoke as her least favorite project, despite previously praising her role as Lana Winters in both the Asylum and Roanoke seasons. Following the comment, series creator Ryan Murphy defended the 2016 season in an Instagram post.
Timeline
2016: American Horror Story: Roanoke aired.
September 23, 2026: Paulson gave an interview at an AHS red carpet.
September 24, 2026: AHS: 13 premieres on FX.
Industry Dynamics
The public debate between a star and creator over a specific season reflects the complexities of managing long-running anthology series where tonal shifts are constant. This highlights how studio strategies balance artistic experimentation against the risk of alienating core talent.
Fans can watch the upcoming premiere of AHS: 13 on FX to see the latest installment of the long-running series. Previous seasons, including the 2016 installment Roanoke, remain available for viewing on various streaming platforms.
The takeaway
Creative feedback from actors can provide audiences with new perspectives on how television projects evolve over time. Viewers should consider how shifting themes in anthology shows can naturally lead to different experiences for both performers and fans.
What happens next
AHS: 13 premieres on FX on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more industry updates and casting news in our Television section.
Live Poll
Do you prefer it when colleagues are transparent about their disagreements regarding joint projects?
