Who Are Emily and Timothy in 'American Horror Story' Season 8? Meet All the 'Apocalypse' Characters

American Horror Story fans were introduced to a whole new world—albeit a world at it's end—during the Apocalypse premiere on Wednesday night. The show brought back a number of familiar faces to the AHS universe, all of whom portrayed new characters in the first episode of Season 8.

The season is slated to feature a number of appearances from AHS alumni, many of whom will be reprising their Murder House roles like, for instance, Jessica Lang, whose back as Season 1's Constance Landon, as well as Connie Britton and Dylan McDermott as Vivien and Ben Harmon, respectively. Several of the witches of Season 3's Coven will also be featured in Season 8 including Emma Roberts, Taissa Farmiga, Gabourey Sidibe, Lilly Rabe and Frances Conroy. Even Stevie Nicks, who had a guest spot on Season 3, will make an appearance in the new season.

While none of the featured players were spotted in the Season 8 premiere, fans did meet a few new main characters of the latest AHS anthology.

Get to know a little more about the key players—so far—of Apocalypse below.

Meet the Characters of 'American Horror Story: Apocalypse'
Sarah Paulson stars in 'American Horror Story: Apocalypse" as Ms. Wilhemina Venable. Kurt Iswarienko/FX

Ms. Wilhemina Venable

Sarah Paulson returns to the franchise as the woman in charge of Outpost 3, a bunker for rich folks trying to escape the bombings and destruction that's ravishing the world. Venable is essentially the fearless commander of The Cooperative, a team of suited feds that appear to be gathering prospects with the perfect genetics to survive the end of the world. Paulson will additionally return to her roles as Season 1's Billie Dean Howard and Season 3's Supreme Witch Cordelia Goode sometime during Apocalypse.

Meet the Characters of 'American Horror Story: Apocalypse'
Kathy Bates stars as Ms. Miriam Mead on "American Horror Story: Apocalypse." Kurt Iswarienko/FX

Ms. Miriam Mead

Played by Kathy Bates, Mead appears to be Venable's right-hand woman and a well-poised executioner.

Meet the Characters of 'American Horror Story: Apocalypse'
Leslie Grossman stars as Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt in "American Horror Story: Apocalypse." Kurt Iswarienko/FX

Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt

A vast change from her gun-loving Season 7 Cult role, Leslie Grossman stars as St. Pierre Vanderbilt. Her wealthy father arranges for her to escape Santa Monica on a private jet ahead of the California bombings. She takes her assistant, hair stylist and the beautician's grandmother with her to Outpost 3.

Meet the Characters of 'American Horror Story: Apocalypse'
Evan Peters stars as Mr. Gallant on "American Horror Story: Apocalypse." Kurt Iswarienko/FX

Mr. Gallant

Evan Peters stars in a new role as a hair stylist to celebrity heiress Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt. Sometime during the season, Peters will return to his Season 1 role of Tate Langdon, the ghost of a mass murderer trapped in the Murder House.

Meet the Characters of 'American Horror Story: Apocalypse'
Joan Collins stars as Evie Gallant in "American Horror Story: Apocalypse." Kurt Iswarienko/FX

Evie Gallant

An AHS newcomer, Joan Collins plays the grandmother of Mr. Gallant.

Meet the Characters of 'American Horror Story: Apocalypse'
Billie Lourd stars as Mallory in "American Horror Story:Apocalypse." Kurt Iswarienko/FX

Mallory

Billie Lourd's character works as an assistant to St. Pierre Vanderbilt.

Meet the Characters of 'American Horror Story: Apocalypse'
Ashley Santos stars as Emily on "American Horror Story: Apocalypse." Kurt Iswarienko/FX

Emily

Another AHS newbie, Ashley Santos is one of the few chosen prodigy's being sheltered at Outpost 3.

Meet the Characters of 'American Horror Story: Apocalypse'
Kyle Allen stars as Timothy Campbell on "American Horror Story: Apocalypse." Kurt Iswarienko/FX

Timothy Campbell

A UCLA hopeful, Kyle Allen stars as a new character in the AHS universe. He's taken away from his family just 40 minutes before a bomb destroys California by members of The Cooperative. He's also apparently crushing on Emily, although copulation isn't allowed among guest at Outpost 3.

Meet the Characters of 'American Horror Story: Apocalypse'
Cody Fern stars as Michael Langdon, the anti-Christ, on "American Horror Story: Apocalypse." Season 8 of the anthology series premiered on September 12, 2018. Kurt Iswarienko/FX

Michael Langdon

Cody Fern's character is seemingly the face behind all of the world-ending tragedies as his character is the demon son of Tate Langdon and Vivien Harmon, otherwise known as the anti-Christ.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Michigan native, Janice Williams is a graduate of Oakland University where she studied journalism and communication. Upon relocating to New ... Read more

To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go