Ryan Murphy’s tiers of casting women in this show

Seems to me like he almost has three tiers/categories of how he casts female roles within the show. Based by age primarily, but they fall into certain roles based on their bracket.

First: The dame/matriarch. This tends to be meaty roles, centered around a (re?)gaining of respect and power. Tends to go for Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett. I theorize that Lange was his favorite, and that may be why he didn’t bring Bates or Bassett back for Cult, because he doesn’t want an actress in the same category to surpass Lange’s 4-year run.

Second: The lead. Women who would likely be considered young-middle-aged. Sarah Paulson is his favorite of course, and thus everywhere. Others would include Lily Rabe, Adina Porter, Chloe Sevigny. It seems that all but Paulson are on a sort of trial rotation.

Third: The ingénue. Usually young scream queens, seem to do a couple seasons, maybe return for minor roles occasionally. He doesn’t seem to have as much of a favorite here. I’d say these include Taissa Farmiga, Kate Mara, Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe, Jamie Brewer, Billie Lourd.

Not really getting at any point, just something I noticed and find interesting.