BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Star Eliza Dushku Reflects on Faith and Why She Still Feels Grateful For The Series
25 years after Buffy the Vampire Slayer first staked its way into pop culture, fans are still returning to Sunnydale for its mix of supernatural chaos and teen drama.
The series remains a major touchstone in the genre and with the New Sunnydale revival on the way there is a renewed wave of curiosity about the original cast. That includes Eliza Dushku, whose great portrayal of Faith Lehane added a volatile spark to both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.
Although Dushku stepped away from acting, she continues to hold a deep appreciation for the experience and recently opened up about why the show still means so much to her.
The actress spoke with THR about how the series continues to resonate with new generations including members of her own family. Dushku said:
“I have nieces and nephews who range from teenagers to early 20s. For them, obviously Buffy was such a rite of passage. It has become such a salve for so many and a reminder of what it can be like to survive high school and adolescence. It helps people find themselves.
“Again, that’s one of those roles that I’m so grateful for. I’m so grateful that I could play a part in something so much bigger than me. It’s so iconic and still reaches people in a way that touches humanity.
“I’m really attuned to the fact that a piece of my former career and a series like that was therapeutic for so many, and in some way, I was already doing kind of therapeutic work.”
Fans often talk about how the show helped them navigate the messy parts of growing up. Dushku has watched her own family experience that connection, which gives her a unique look at how Buffy the Vampire Slayer continues to land with younger viewers.
Despite the monsters and mayhem the storylines were always rooted in the emotional turbulence of adolescence which is what keeps the series relevant long after its finale.
Faith’s arc is a huge part of why the show still holds up. Introduced in Season 3 she evolved from a chaotic ally to one of the most compelling antagonists in the series.
Her showdown with Sarah Michelle Gellar pushed both characters to their limits before Faith embarked on a long journey toward redemption that eventually brought her back for Seasons 5 and 7 as well as a run on Angel.
By the time the First Evil threatened the world Faith had carved out a path toward something better which made her comeback feel genuinely earned.
Naturally fans have been wondering whether the New Sunnydale revival might include familiar faces but Dushku made it clear that returning to acting is not part of her plans. She explained:
“I will not be in front of a camera again unless it’s in some capacity that is in service of my new work and passion. That’s what makes this movie so special, is to be able to come back and shine a light on people like Marcus and Amber and those who appear in the film.
“It’s so timely and important and necessary to have this movie enter as many homes and hearts and minds as possible.”
Dushku now focuses on producing and advocacy work with her latest project being the documentary In Waves and War. It is a meaningful new chapter for her though it also means Faith’s return is unlikely.
Still the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is huge and the upcoming Hulu revival has plenty of ways to acknowledge the character’s legacy without pulling the actress out of retirement.
For anyone who wants to revisit where it all began Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel are streaming on Hulu.