The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) hosted a Buffy the Vampire Slayer 25th anniversary panel this weekend featuring four of the show’s most beloved cast members: David Boreanaz (Angel), James Marsters (Spike), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia), and Marc Blucas (Riley). Moderated by Claire Lim, the 60-minute panel was everything a Scooby could hope for.
First things first: is David Boreanaz actually broody in real life? Both he and Charisma were quick to dispel the myth, describing him as giggly between takes and constantly joking on set. The panel noted that their on-screen chemistry felt like a natural extension of a genuine friendship — something that came through in every moment they shared the stage.
Favourite episodes came up, and the answers were illuminating. James Marsters chose “The Body” — the devastating season five episode dealing with Joyce’s death — for the way it shifted the show’s tone toward quiet drama. Marc Blucas picked “Hush,” the near-silent horror episode from season four. David Boreanaz pointed to “Becoming Part 2” and the moment Angel gets stabbed and sent to a hell dimension. Charisma, characteristically, went for “Graduation Day” — because that was when she finally got to stake her first vampire.
Charisma also shared the definitive Cordelia Chase casting story. She was late to her audition because of LA traffic. Her agent kept paging her. When told the casting team was about to leave, her response was: “They can’t leave. Tell them to order a pizza! I’m on my way.” They waited. She got the part. Of course she did.
James closed the panel with something genuinely moving. He described the cast as “bait, to get you guys in the same room to party together,” and said of Buffy fans: “You’re smart, funny, don’t take yourselves too seriously, and you’re kind.” Twenty-five years later, that still feels true.
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