September 28, 2026 · Updated with latest audience score, streaming rankings, and premiere reaction — In the third episode of American Horror Story Season 13, Constance Langdon looks at Elizabeth Short — the Black Dahlia — and delivers one of the season’s most loaded lines: she will soon be among “13 leading ladies, all as legendary as you are.”
That single sentence has become a central puzzle for viewers. Only one of the thirteen has been clearly identified on screen so far. The identity of the other twelve is now one of the most active speculation topics among fans.
Photo via @danceintheshadw on X
What Constance Actually Said and Why It Matters
The moment occurs during the Rauhnacht gathering at the Apollyon. Constance is not making a casual observation. She is describing a deliberate plan. Elizabeth Short, played once again by Mena Suvari, is presented as the first confirmed member of a group Constance is assembling.
The number is not accidental. Everything in Season 13 circles the number 13 — thirteen episodes, a 13th floor, a plane crash tied to the number, and now a collection of thirteen legendary women. Constance’s project appears to be both ritual and strategic.
Who Is Confirmed So Far
Elizabeth Short / The Black Dahlia (Mena Suvari) is the only woman explicitly named as part of the thirteen in the first three episodes. Her return connects directly to Murder House and Apocalypse, and Constance treats her with a mixture of recognition and purpose.
No other woman has been formally inducted or named as a member of the group on screen yet. That absence is what is driving the current wave of theories.
Photo via @AHSZone on X
The Strongest Theories for the Remaining Twelve
Fans are drawing from every major female character in the franchise. The most frequently discussed candidates include:
- The Coven core — Cordelia Goode, Madison Montgomery, Queenie, Myrtle Snow, and possibly Fiona Goode. Their presence in the season and their history with resurrection and power make them natural fits.
- Constance’s own orbit — Characters connected to the Langdon family or the Murder House legacy, including Adelaide and other figures Constance has previously claimed or controlled.
- Hotel and Asylum icons — Figures such as Sister Jude or other women who left a permanent mark on the series’ mythology.
- Historical or folklore figures — Given the Black Dahlia’s inclusion, some fans expect additional real-world or semi-legendary women whose deaths or crimes carry cultural weight.
- New or lightly seen characters — Several new faces in the cast remain mysterious enough that they could be revealed as part of the thirteen later.
No official list exists. The show is clearly holding the full roster for later episodes.
Why Constance Is Building This Group
The early episodes suggest at least three possible purposes:
- A ritual force — Thirteen women of power or notoriety gathered for a specific ceremony tied to Rauhnacht and the portal beneath the Apollyon.
- A defensive or offensive army — A response to the larger threat represented by Mr. Nas and the “ultimate evil” Murphy has teased.
- A legacy project — Constance, who has always operated through control of family and narrative, may be constructing a final circle that outlives her.
The tone of her conversation with Elizabeth Short leans toward the first two possibilities. She speaks with urgency and calculation rather than pure nostalgia.
What the Next Episodes Could Reveal
The October 1 episodes are expected to deepen the witches’ involvement and the older powers they are turning to. Any expansion of Constance’s gathering — new introductions, clearer rules, or a second named member — would significantly narrow the field of theories.
Until then, the “13 leading ladies” remain mostly a promise. Elizabeth Short is the proof of concept. The other twelve are still in the shadows, and Constance is the only one who currently knows the full list.
Quick Answer: How Many of the 13 Leading Ladies Have Been Revealed?
Only one has been clearly identified on screen: Elizabeth Short, the Black Dahlia. The remaining twelve have not been named, though major returning characters from Coven, Murder House, and other seasons are the leading candidates in fan discussion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the first of the 13 leading ladies?
Elizabeth Short, also known as the Black Dahlia, played by Mena Suvari. Constance explicitly tells her she will be among the thirteen.
Is Constance herself one of the thirteen?
The show has not confirmed this. Some fans believe she is the organizer rather than a counted member; others argue she must be included given her stature in the franchise.
Are the Coven witches part of the group?
They are among the strongest speculative candidates because of their power, history with Constance, and confirmed presence in the season, but nothing has been stated on screen yet.
When will the full list be revealed?
Unknown. The structure of the season suggests the group will be assembled gradually rather than revealed all at once in a single episode.
Photo via @AHSZone on X
Photo via @BillieLourdinfo on X
Photo via @BillieLourdinfo on X
Who Are Constance’s 13 Leading Ladies?
Viewers searching AHS 13 leading ladies, Constance 13 women, and Black Dahlia AHS 13 currently have only one confirmed name on screen: Elizabeth Short. Top fan theories still point to Coven witches, Murder House figures, and other franchise icons as the remaining twelve.
Key Takeaways: Constance’s 13 Leading Ladies
- Only Elizabeth Short / Black Dahlia (Mena Suvari) is confirmed on screen so far.
- Constance frames the group as 13 legendary women during the Rauhnacht gathering.
- Fan theories heavily include Coven witches and Murder House figures.
- October 1 episodes may reveal more names.
Related Reading
- Is American Horror Story Season 13 Already Feeling Like a Soft Finale?
- Who Is Mr. Nas in American Horror Story Season 13?
Author: Shivam Das
Independent coverage for U.S. readers. Corrections or tips: contact via the site.
