While American Horror Story [1] is a fictional series, each season tends to have at least a few roots in reality [2]. Real people inspired the residents of Freak Show [3], noted murders of the past turned up on Coven and Hotel, and season six is partly based on a mysterious historical event. Now that Roanoke is about to conclude, let's take a look at all the true stories behind its characters.
Miranda and Bridget Jane
Just like the nurses in the first season of AHS [4], the nurses in Roanoke are also based on real people. Miranda and Bridget Jane are inspired by nurses Catherine May Wood and Gwendolyn Gail Graham [5], lovers who murdered at least two (possibly up to eight) elderly people in the '80s. They're known as the "Lethal Lovers."
Scáthach
OK, so this is less of a true story and more of a myth. FX confirmed that Lady Gaga's character is named Scáthach [6]. This is a Celtic word for "The Shadowy One," and according to Encylopedia Britannica, Scáthach is a female warrior [7], one that is known for teaching other warriors. She was especially adept at fighting underwater and pole-vaulting, and she invented a special barbed harpoon. Sounds like we have a lot to look forward to.
Thomasin White
Season six notably features the story of the Lost Colony of Roanoke [8], a 16th-century colony that vanished from their North Carolina settlement while their leader, John White, was overseas. Obviously, AHS takes some liberties (Pig-Man, the Butcher, whatever Lady Gaga [9] is, etc.), but seeds of a true story are there. According to Encyclopedia Virginia, White was married to a woman named Thomasine [10]. The spelling is different and I'm assuming the real woman didn't murder her whole colony, but she did exist.