American Horror Stories Season 3: Ultimate Cast and Character Guide

Warning: This article contains spoilers for American Horror Stories Season 3, Episode 1!

Summary

"Bestie" delves into the perils of virtual communities that nurture superficial bonds, wherein Shelby's detrimental online companionship culminates in a devastating outcome.

Emma Halleen skilfully embodies Shelby's desolate and overlooked condition, encapsulating her hardships subsequent to her mother's demise.

Jessica Barden delivers an exceptional performance as Bestie, flawlessly capturing her evolution from a timid and compassionate young girl to a highly skilled manipulator and ultimately a murderer.

The third season of American Horror Stories kicks off with a powerful episode titled "Bestie," which sheds light on the dangers of online communities that foster a deceptive sense of connection. The story focuses on a toxic friendship that leads to a tragic outcome. It all begins when Shelby, coping with the loss of her mother and facing bullying at school, seeks solace in an online community centered around Anna Rehxia, a drag queen who interprets her eating disorder as a source of strength. In this virtual space, Shelby encounters Bestie, a girl confined to her home due to her birth defects, and a deeply intense friendship develops between them.

Emma Halleen As Shelby Brubaker

Soon, the girls begin video chatting daily. Shelby agrees to be Bestie's "avatar," participating in the normal activities of a teenager she fears missing out on. However, Bestie's influence leads Shelby down a dangerous path, starting with shoplifting and escalating to self-harm. When Shelby befriends River, a fellow student who understands her isolation, she realizes she no longer needs Bestie's toxic friendship. But Bestie's declaration of "best friends forever" takes on a sinister meaning, as she finds a way to ensure that Shelby remains hers forever. Bestie sets the stage for an intense season 3 of American Horror Stories.

Playing the role of Shelby Brubaker, a high school teenager trying to overcome the loss of her mother, Emma Halleen delivers a captivating performance. Isolated from her peers and distant from her father, Shelby feels alone and friendless. Halleen convincingly portrays Shelby's sorrowful and neglected state. Known for her debut in Downtown Owl at the Tribeca Film Festival, where she played August Blanco Rosenstien's younger sister, Halleen shows great potential in her early stages of acting. Her ability to seamlessly transition between somber and resentful while under the influence of Bestie proves she has the qualities of a promising talent, much like Saoirse Rohan.

Jessica Barden As Bestie

Jessica Barden shines in her portrayal of Bestie, a character whose true identity remains a mystery. Bestie, a lonely girl with a birth defect that confines her to the indoors, relies on online friendships to fill the void in her life. Barden's performance is truly exceptional as she seamlessly takes Bestie on a transformative journey. Initially timid and kind, Bestie evolves into a commanding figure who exerts dominance over Shelby. However, it is when Bestie's true nature as a master manipulator, and even a murderer, is unveiled that Barden's talent truly shines through. Best known for her role as Alyssa in the Channel 4 series The End of the F***ing World and her appearances in Mrs. Ratcliffe's Revolution and Penny Dreadful as Justine, Barden is an accomplished English actress. She also starred alongside Colin Farrell in The Lobster.

Allius Barnes As River

Jeff Miller As Mr. Nevins

Allius Barnes, who portrays River, Shelby's only genuine companion at school. He skillfully raises doubts about his motives and loyalties through his interactions with Shelby, keeping the audience guessing until the climax of the episode. Barnes secured his breakthrough role on Sam & Cat, after which he went on to make appearances on shows like Chicago P.D., Melissa & Joey, Bones, and Rosewood. However, his most notable work includes his performances alongside Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine in PEN15, as well as his portrayal of Vince in the Freeform series Cruel Summer.

Playing the role of Mr. Nevins, Shelby's choir teacher and a close friend of her late mother, Jeff Miller portrays a character who exudes kindness, benevolence, and a genuine concern for his students. He is the type of teacher who goes above and beyond to help struggling children in their studies, which makes Shelby's disrespectful behavior towards him all the more reprehensible. With a background in the esteemed Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City, Miller has also graced the stages of Broadway in NYC's Shakespeare in the Park and Off-Broadway in the musical adaptation of "Silence of the Lambs."

Seth Gabel As Mr. Brubaker

Seth Gabel skillfully portrays the character of Shelby's father, Mr. Brubaker. He is depicted as a grief-stricken individual, mourning the loss of his wife. In an attempt to establish a connection with his daughter, Mr. Brubaker's efforts become increasingly uncomfortable. Rather than appearing as an authoritative figure, he often resembles more of a peer to Shelby. Consequently, when faced with her escalating erratic behavior, he resorts to locking her in the basement out of sheer desperation. Notably, Gabel has delivered impressive performances in popular television shows such as Fringe, where he portrayed agent Lincoln Lee, Salem, where he played Cotton Mather, and Nip/Tuck, where he portrayed Adrian Moore.

Bestie Supporting Cast & Characters

Amrou Al-Kadhi

Grace Aiello Antczak As Chazlyn

Amrou Al-Kadhi brings to life the character of Anna Rehxia, a drag queen YouTuber who becomes the common interest that Shelby and Bestie share. With experience as both an actor and writer, Amrou has recently made appearances in Carnival Row and Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and has contributed to the writing of Terry Pratchett's The Watch.

Grace Aiello Antczak is Chazlyn, the most prominent of Shelby's high school bullies. Aside from American Horror Stories, she's appeared in episodes of Law & Order and FBI.