Cordelia Chase Deserves a Spot in the Buffy Revival

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Now that we’re getting more news about the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, fans are eager to find out which original characters will return, and there’s one in particular everyone would love to see. The project seemed unlikely for a long time, but it’s now confirmed that the new Buffy series is scheduled to premiere on Hulu in 2026.

The new Buffy series will center on a fresh teenage Slayer and her group, but a major draw for fans is the return of Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers. Viewers are also hoping to see other familiar faces like Willow, played by Alyson Hannigan, Spike, portrayed by James Marsters, and the memorable character known as “Queen C,” who didn’t get the ending she deserved.

Charisma Carpenter’s Controversial Departure From The Buffy Universe, Explained

Cordelia Chase, originally the queen bee at Sunnydale High, became a fascinating character in the Buffy universe. She evolved significantly over the first three seasons of Buffy and continued to develop into a more complex, funny, and endearing person when she became a star on the spin-off show, Angel.

Cordelia’s role on Angel ended prematurely in season 4 when her character was taken over by the villain Jasmine and slipped into a coma. While actress Charisma Carpenter’s real-life pregnancy was incorporated into the storyline, creator Joss Whedon wasn’t specific about his reasons for ultimately writing her character off the show.

Almost twenty years later, in 2021, Charisma Carpenter publicly accused Joss Whedon of abusive behavior at work. She supported actor Ray Fisher, who had already spoken out about a harmful work environment on the set of Justice League, and shared her own experiences leading up to her exit from Angel.

In a detailed social media post, Charisma Carpenter accused Joss Whedon of repeatedly abusing his power while they worked together on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. She explained that while he seemed to enjoy his inappropriate behavior, it actually made her performance anxiety worse, undermined her confidence, and isolated her from her colleagues.

Carpenter claims the abuse she experienced from Whedon worsened when she became pregnant during the filming of Angel. She says he publicly called her “fat” to colleagues, deliberately made her work longer hours, and privately questioned whether she would keep the baby, using her gender and religious beliefs to control and manipulate her.

As a huge fan of Buffy, I was really heartened to see so many of the cast come out in support of Charisma Carpenter. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Amber Benson, and even the late Michelle Trachtenberg all spoke up, and their reactions were powerful – everything from just sending Charisma love to actually backing up her claims about Joss Whedon. It was really moving to see them rally around her.

These claims have upset many fans and damaged the reputation of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a show often praised for its feminist themes. Because of this, it’s especially important that any potential revival is handled carefully.

Why We Need Cordelia In The Buffy Revival (Yes, It Can Be Done)

Despite sharing disturbing details about her time working on Buffy and Angel, Charisma Carpenter remains a fan of the shows. She regularly attends events for fans and recently started a podcast where she’s rewatching Buffy and Angel from the beginning.

Charisma Carpenter played a vital role in creating the Buffy universe, and a return to the franchise could help restore her character’s reputation. While Joss Whedon acknowledged Cordelia Chase, it was Carpenter’s incredible acting that truly made the character a feminist icon. Many fans believe she deserves a better storyline than the one she received in the fourth season of Angel.

Bringing Cordelia back from the dead might seem impossible, but the Buffy universe has a history of resurrection. Spike and even Buffy herself have been brought back to life before, proving it’s possible – and it would be great to see it happen again.

The upcoming Buffy revival looks very promising, especially with Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao leading the first episode. Having a team of female creators suggests the new series will avoid the problematic casual sexism that appeared in the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Plus, bringing Charisma Carpenter back would be a significant way to address the unfairness of how her character left Angel.

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2025-11-27 19:31