Charisma Carpenter, beloved for her portrayal of Cordelia Chase in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel, is optimistic about returning in the reboot of the cult classic.
Despite her character’s controversial and premature departure from the series, Carpenter sees poetic justice in possibly reprising the role.
Speaking with IGN during the launch of her new podcast, The Bitch Is Back, Carpenter expressed her excitement for the reboot, which is being developed by a fresh creative team including Sarah Michelle Gellar and Academy Award-winner Chloé Zhao-conspicuously without original creator Joss Whedon. “I’m thrilled for the fans. If there’s a place for Cordelia in this reboot, I’d be honored to return. It feels like something that should happen,” she said.
Cordelia was a regular in Buffy through Season 3, later transitioning to Angel as a leading character. However, her arc took a sharp turn in Angel‘s fourth season, where she was possessed, put into a coma, and quietly written out. She returned briefly for one final sendoff episode, which many fans felt didn’t do justice to her growth as a character. “It was unjust,” Carpenter said, “She had this beautiful arc and then it just… ended. There’s so much more that could have been.”
Carpenter emphasized the transformative nature of Cordelia’s character – from snarky high school queen bee to a heroic figure who received visions from mystical higher powers. Her performance and the depth of the character earned her a lasting place in the hearts of fans. She also noted that death has rarely been a permanent barrier in the Buffyverse. “I don’t know the logistics, but if the fans want her back, I know the current writers can figure it out. They’re wildly creative,” she added.
Interestingly, Carpenter has already reprised Cordelia in an Audible spin-off series set in an alternate universe, where Cordelia is now a vampire slayer. That project reunited her with several other cast members, including Emma Caulfield Ford (Anya), Amber Benson (Tara), and James Marsters (Spike).
In addition to her hopes for the reboot, Carpenter is also keeping the Buffyverse alive with her podcast, where she’ll rewatch and comment on every episode of Buffy and Angel. The first episode, covering Buffy’s pilot “Welcome to the Hellmouth,” features Julie Benz (Darla) as a guest. The show dives into behind-the-scenes stories, 1990s fashion, and how the series continues to resonate due to its timeless themes of identity, adolescence, and finding strength through adversity.
“Buffy was never just about vampires,” Carpenter explained. “It was about being different, feeling out of place, and still finding your voice. That message still matters.” As the reboot moves closer to becoming reality, fans may yet see Cordelia Chase rise again – stronger, sharper, and ready to slay.