Smartest ‘American Horror Story’ Characters From Each Season

For 12 seasons straight, American Horror Story was able to scare and surprise its viewers. From aliens to morally complex antiheroes, the series has surely kept us coming back season after season.

But amid the chaos, we often overlook one critical element: intelligence. Which characters stood out not just for their actions, but for their brains? Well, today we're looking at 12 smartest characters from each season.

Constance Langdon: The Master Manipulator

Season: “Murder House”.

Portrayed by: Jessica Lange.

Kicking things off with a bang, we have Constance Langdon from “Murder House”. This lady knows her way around a ghost story like nobody else! Constance stands out for her deep understanding of what’s going on in the Murder House. Her intelligence lies in understanding people and situations to manipulate them to her advantage.

Lana Winters: Survivor with Sharp Wits

Season: “Asylum”.

Portrayed by: Sarah Paulson.

If anyone earns the title of a survivor, it’s Lana. She finds herself trapped in the dark Briarcliff, but rather than give up due to the horrors surrounding her, she uses her intelligence and ambition in every possible way. Not only does she manage to get out of this madness, but that experience also transforms her into a famous journalist after her escape.

Cordelia Goode: The Unexpected Leader

Season: “Coven”.

Portrayed by: Sarah Paulson.

Initially, she might seem like the naive one, but she evolved as the season went on. Cordelia becoming the Supreme made sense because it felt realistic. She made some tough choices as she learned from her mistakes and rose to the occasion when her coven needed her most. Her ability to adapt and make hard decisions for the greater good is what we call real intelligence.

Elsa Mars: The Strategic Show Woman

Season: “Freak Show”.

Portrayed by: Jessica Lange.

As the owner of the freak show, Elsa knows how to manipulate the situation to her favor. While many characters display intelligence, Elsa’s ability to practically feel the social dynamics makes her one of the sharpest characters in the series. Even if her intentions often come off as selfish, Elsa's planning skills are undeniable.

James Patrick March: The Evil Architect

Season: “Hotel”.

Portrayed by: Evan Peters.

March designed Hotel Cortez specifically to kill people. He sneaked into the design some hidden rooms to escape the punishment. He uses his intellect to manipulate others into doing what he wants (much like he did with the Hotel itself).

William van Henderson: The Smartest Survivor

Season: “Roanoke”.

Portrayed by: Denis O'Hare.

A smart character in horror? Finally! This guy is an actor who declined an invitation to return for the sequel of My Roanoke Nightmare. When everyone else heads back into the horror, William makes the smart move of staying out of danger. His choice keeps him alive and is proof that it pays to know when to step back.

Ally Mayfair-Richards: The Master of Survival in the Cult

Season: “Cult”.

Portrayed by: Sarah Paulson.

In “Cult", we meet Ally Mayfair-Richards. Initially, she's trying to deal with overwhelming phobias and struggling against the mind games played by cult leader Kai Anderson. Yet Ally eventually harnesses her strength. And not only does she survive, she actually outsmarts Kai (way to go, girl!).

Michael Langdon: The Antichrist with an Edge

Season: “Apocalypse”.

Portrayed by: Cody Fern.

He’s the Antichrist and arguably the smartest character of the series. Michael has a lot of power and uses it to make the world end. His talent for manipulation overshadows even the most intelligent characters.

Donna Chambers: The Strategic Planner

Season: “1984”.

Portrayed by: Angelica Ross.

Donna Chambers might just be the smartest of the bunch. With a background in studying serial killers, she knows a thing or two about manipulation (and she uses this knowledge to her advantage).

The Chemist: A Mysterious Genius

Season: “Double Feature”.

Portrayed by: Angelica Ross.

While “Double Feature” has 2 acts, The Chemist would win in every single one of them. This character is the brains behind Muse, an addictive drug that creates chaos and transforms lives.

Gino Barelli: The Determined Journalist

Season: “NYC”.

Portrayed by: Joe Mantello.

Gino is a journalist, which naturally leads him to investigate the crimes against gay men. His intelligence is evident when he connects the dots, using his observational skills to outsmart Whitley. He's brave, smart and observant, what's there more to say?

Anna Victoria Alcott: The Unexpected Hero

Season: “Delicate”.

Portrayed by: Emma Roberts.

Anna went through a remarkable evolution throughout the season. While she may initially appear vulnerable, later she is revealed as the smartest character in the season. Anna's ability to uncover the truth while protecting her child is why she made the list.