The American Horror Story cast changes each season but has included over 55 main actors across 12 seasons so far. Being an anthology series, many actors come and go across the seasons in both new and/or returning roles. Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, and Lily Rabe have appeared in the most seasons with 9 appearances each. This is closely followed by Frances Conroy and Denis O'Hare who have both appeared in 8 seasons each. Peters' has portrayed the most characters across the show with 16, followed by Paulson who has portrayed 12. Naomi Grossman's character, Pepper, from Asylum was the first to reappear in a different season, Freak Show . Gabourey Sidibe's character, Queenie, who first appeared in Coven was the first character to appear in 3 or more seasons after reappearing in Hotel and Apocalypse . The only other character to do so is Billie Dean Howard, portrayed by Sarah Paulson, who appeared in Murder House , Hotel , and Apocalypse . The series has cast many pop culture celebrities, TV personalities, singers, supermodels, or sports stars including Adam Levine, Stevie Nicks, Patti LaBelle, Lady Gaga, Naomi Campbell, Trixie Mattel, Rick Springfield, Gus Kenworthy, Eureka, Kaia Gerber, and Kim Kardashian.