Charisma Carpenter Says It Would Be “Poetic” to Return as Cordelia in BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Reboot

Charisma Carpenter is ready to stake her claim in the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival, if given the chance.

In a recent interview with IGN, the actress expressed a genuine desire to return as Cordelia Chase in Hulu’s in-development Buffy sequel series. For Carpenter, it’s not just about nostalgia; it’s about closure. She said:

“I am so excited for fans, and I know it will be fantastic because of who’s involved. To see this actually happen for the fans makes me thrilled. I am so hopeful to be included, for Cordelia to be a part of this new iteration.”

Cordelia was a central character across both Buffy and its spinoff Angel, undergoing one of the more dramatic character evolutions in the Buffyverse. From popular high school queen bee to higher-plane vision warrior, her arc was one of the richest… until it wasn’t. Carpenter didn’t hold back when discussing how Cordelia’s story ended.

“Listen, you’re not gonna get an argument out of me. Because the way it went down for her was just — without using inflammatory language — just was not… she was built up so big, she’d grown so much, she’d had this remarkable journey, and for her to go out the way that she did just felt so unjust.”

Cordelia’s death in Angel Season 5 was abrupt and controversial, especially for fans who had followed her through all that growth. She added:

“I don’t know really what to make of it. I’m sure there are caveats — Cordelia died on Angel, not on Buffy. I don’t know what that means for Cordelia specifically — but I’m hopeful that it includes Cordelia obviously, it would be a dream to be included, and it would just be so poetic for that to occur, and for it to occur with this group.”

Death has never been a permanent condition in the Buffy universe. Buffy herself died (twice!) and came back. Carpenter pointed that out too: “Writers are wildly creative,” she said, hinting that resurrection is just a plot twist away.

The new Buffy reboot is being spearheaded by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao, who’s directing the pilot written by Poker Face duo Nora and Lilla Zuckerman. Even Sarah Michelle Gellar, who isn’t confirmed to return as Buffy, expressed her excitement for the new series and the potential return of familiar faces.

“It will be lighter than the last few seasons of the original. We will try to find a balance between new and old characters. My dream is to bring back everyone who has died, but space will have to be made for new stories as well.”

If Gellar gets her wish, and if Carpenter’s dream becomes reality, Cordelia’s story might not be over after all.