In "Freak Show," Sarah Paulson plays Bette and Dot Tattler, conjoined twins that share a body, but have separate heads. Though they share a significant part of each other, the two could not be more different, with their separate brains and personalities. Bette is portrayed as being innocent, friendly, and on the hunt for fame. Her sister, however, is much more sullen, and her cynical attitude makes it difficult for her to trust anyone.
Healthline noted the similarities between Bette and Dot and Abigail and Brittany Hensel, real-life conjoined twins hailing from Minnesota. The girls were born in 1990 and, like Bette and Dot, they share two legs and two arms. However, they retain their own spinal cords, hearts, and brains. Though Bette is not always sensitive to her sister's needs and worries, she has no hesitance exploring their body at night, despite Dot's unease — that is not the case with the Hensel Twins. Though they can both move their limbs, the two work together to maintain bodily autonomy and respect each other's comfort.
