Sarah Paulson Might as Well Be a Chameleon With These 9 Movie and TV Roles

A composite of sorts, Paulson's Alice Macray was a shining light on Mrs. America. Even when Alice wasn't the center of the story, Paulson held our attention while bringing meaning to the character's actions. It would've been easy for Paulson to have gotten lost in the shuffle with the talented cast, yet she held her own while fully embodying the character.

An indie romance, Blue Jay sees Paulson as Amanda, who runs into her high school sweetheart years after their breakup. What makes her performance so memorable is the fact that it's vulnerable, emotional, and honest. We feel as if we're watching a true slice of life as the couple comes together to reminisce.

As the cruel wife of demented slave owner Edwin Epps, Paulson's theater background is on full display. She truly disappears into the character and we're left not watching Paulson, but a deplorable woman who is capable of almost anything. With every nasty word and indefensible action, Paulson is able to get across who Mary Epps is and how she deals with her own husband's actions.

If Paulson had only played Wilhelmina on Apocalypse, this performance wouldn't have made the list. The double duty of supreme Cordelia Goode and wannabe-antagonist Wilhelmina Venable had Paulson at the top of her game. While Paulson couldn't save a lackluster season, she did give us some fashion inspiration, as well as one of our favorite Coven characters back.

Paulson gives a masterful performance as Abby, the former girlfriend of the titular Carol. Somewhat reserved, it's Abby that tells Carol to follow her heart, and Paulson gives the portrayal her all, with subtle details one can pick up on subsequent viewings.

A new addition to the Paulson filmography, Mildred easily became one of Paulson's best roles. Not quite as terrifying as her One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest counterpart, Paulson was able to humanize the role and actually make us love her. Even when she is plotting murder or boiling a man alive, you just can't help but root for Mildred Ratched.

Heartbreaking, and somewhat terrifying, Hypodermic Sally is certainly one of Paulson's most iconically dressed characters. We both loved her and loved to hate her, depending upon who Sally was trying to f*ck over at the Hotel Cortez. The duality Paulson was able to bring to the role, evidenced by the vulnerability and the darkness, solidified Sally as one of her best roles.

At first, we were wary about whether or not Paulson would be able to portray the legendary Marcia Clark. However, we were wrong to doubt her. It was hard to discern where Paulson ended and Marcia began while watching. It was also a testament to just how seriously Paulson takes her craft, and how much time and effort she puts into each role.

Hands down, Lana Winters is Paulson's greatest role to date. Between wrongful imprisonment, forced electroshock therapy, and being abducted by a murderer, Lana had a tough time during Asylum. Paulson's energy was off the charts, and her chemistry with fellow AHS favorites Evan Peters and Jessica Lange was palpable. We were on the edge of our seats the entire season as we waited to see what would become of her, as Ryan Murphy has a habit of killing off our favorites.