American Horror Story: 10 Most Controversial Moments

Madame Marie Delphine LaLaurie doesn’t just have one of the longest names in American Horror Story, she’s one of its best villains too. Her opening scene with slaves chained up as she skulks through sneering is one of the most atmospheric the series has ever managed. And placing the hollowed out bull’s head upon her slave, symbolising her view of him as an animal is a cyanide laced cherry on an anthrax cake.

The show makes it easy to hate her without forcing it; Kathy Griffin hits her Misery level heights in the role.

So when she’s resurrected in the future by a gang of witches including the African American Queenie, there’s plenty of chance for her to get her comeuppance. Her racist attitude rings even harsher against a modern backdrop too.

Then along came Roots. Queenie, who’s a gentle soul underneath her feisty exterior, forces Madame Marie to watch the seminal show charting black history through the ages. And just like that, her racism is cured. It would be terrific if ignorance could be fixed this easily in real life. But since it can’t, the redemption arc feels cheap, unearned, and completely sullies a great villain; cue controversy among the fans.