Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a genuine cultural phenomenon in the ‘90s and early ‘00s — not only was it a huge commercial and critical hit, it also accumulated a strong cult fanbase which is still going strong today. Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar in the titular role, it follows her quest to rid the world of a slew of dangerous vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces with the help of her friends, mentors, and allies.
The show’s strength came from the performances of its cast, the depth of its characters, and the way it spoke to generations of viewers who saw themselves in the show’s metaphors and struggles. Spanning 7 seasons, the line between good and evil is often blurred, with several iconic villains evolving into unexpected allies.
Here, we’re exploring these characters, whose journeys from foes to friends made for some of the show’s most compelling story arcs.
6
Faith
Initially fighting alongside Buffy and the Scooby Gang, Faith was always wild, reckless, bold, and rebellious, and while these traits instantly endeared her to fans, they also made her a volatile presence within the gang. Her past trauma, jealousy, and growing resentment quickly led her down a dark path. Her moral decline was truly triggered, though, after she accidentally killed a human — after which she aligned with Mayor Wilkins.
Faith Returned to Fight Alongside Buffy
Now an adversary to Buffy, she eventually fled to L.A., where she appeared in the Angel spin-off show. It’s here that her redemption arc began as she confronted her guilt and voluntarily went to prison to atone for her crimes. Upon her release, with the support of Angel, she worked on herself as a person, took responsibility for her actions, and matured emotionally.
She returned to Buffy in Season 7 — a changed person. Whilst never losing her wicked sense of humor, she was now far more grounded and self-aware. Embracing redemption, she fought alongside Buffy against the First Evil.
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5
Spike
Played by James Marsters, Spike arrived in Sunnydale in Season 2, Episode 3, “School Hard,” with his punk rock aesthetics, biting sarcasm, and ruthless reputation. Known for killing Slayers, he was initially portrayed as a cold-blooded antagonist driven by an unquenchable thirst for blood and chaos. He quickly became a fan favorite whose complicated relationship with Buffy and compelling path to redemption formed one of the show’s most beloved story arcs.
Spike Was Only Meant to Be a Short-Term Villain
According to interviews with show creator Joss Whedon and writer David Greenwalt, Spike was only intended to appear in a couple of episodes before being killed off, keeping in line with the “monster of the week” structure of the show’s early episodes.
Marsters’ powerful performance and the overwhelmingly positive fan response quickly changed that. As the series progressed, Spike evolved far beyond his two-dimensional villainous beginnings. After being implanted with a chip that prevented him from harming humans, he found himself in an uneasy alliance with Buffy and her friends. His love for (and obsession with) Buffy eventually led him to endure painful trials to regain his soul, marking the start of his redemption. Burdened with guilt and a newfound conscience, he made the righteous decision to fight for good, making the ultimate sacrifice in the show’s finale, completing one of the show’s most powerful redemption arcs.
4
Anya Jenkins
Anya arrived in Sunnydale with the sole purpose of punishing men who had wronged women. Once stripped of her powers, though, her true, kinder character began to shine through. Quirky and bluntly honest, she joined the Scooby Gang, all the while struggling to adapt to social norms and emotions — especially when it involved her romance with Xander. A source of both comic relief and great emotional depth, Anya’s emotional journey is one of considerable highs and devastating lows.
Anya Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
Once Anya regained her powers, the allure of vengeance became too tempting to ignore following her heartbreak with Xander, and her path was once again one of darkness. In the final episode, however, she demonstrated a change of heart, admitting her love for humans and fighting bravely alongside the Scooby Gang against the First, ultimately sacrificing herself to save the world.
3
Andrew Wells
Andrew, along with Jonathan Levinson and Warren Mears, formed a group of “supervillains” known simply as the Trio. Though initially played for laughs, the group’s antics gradually darkened and, fueled by misogyny, hatred, and a lust for power, they became a serious threat. Ultimately, virtue prevailed, and the group collapsed following the death of Warren in Season 6.
Andrew Is Awkward and Endearing
Following the collapse of the Trio, Andrew was engulfed in remorse. Under the guidance of Buffy and the Scooby Gang, Andrew’s character evolved from a delusional sidekick into a powerful ally. Never fully outgrowing his awkwardness, however, Andrew began to develop somewhat of a cult following among those who appreciated his nerdy disposition and ability to lighten the mood during darker times.
2
Willow Rosenberg
One of the show’s main characters and easily Buffy’s best friend in the entire world, Willow’s heel turn might have seemed like a shock, but it was actually a long time coming. Her addiction to using magic and willingness to go beyond safe boundaries to accomplish her goals had been sprinkled throughout the series leading up to the point where she finally broke bad. Her creepy conversation with Giles as he scolds her for recklessly resurrecting Buffy was a particularly telling bit of foreshadowing. Warren killing Tara was the straw that broke the camel’s back, but it was a back that was already cracking under increasing pressure.
Still, it was never in the cards for Willow to remain a villain. Even though she became the latest in a long line of Buffy characters to come close to ending the world, a defiant stand and an impassioned plea from Xander were enough to bring her back to her senses.
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1
Angel
Ever since his first appearance in the very first Buffy episode, Angel has been a complex, layered, and enigmatic character. Introduced as a dark, brooding, and mysterious vampire cursed with a tortured soul (literally), he became Buffy’s first real love. Their star-crossed romance was bittersweet, with his curse resulting in him losing his soul after experiencing true happiness. This led to him becoming the evil, soulless Angelus once again. In one of the show’s most heartbreaking moments, Buffy is forced to slay Angelus and send him to a hell dimension.
Angel Is the Star of His Own Spin-off
Angel’s soul is later regained thanks to a magical restoration spell performed by Willow. Now remorseful and guilt-ridden, he was desperate to make amends and atone for his sins. Buffy was still desperately in love with him, but considering his immortality, his violent past, and the constant threat of him turning evil again, Angel made an important sacrifice and demonstrated his righteousness by leaving Sunnydale in Season 3 so Buffy could live a fulfilling life without him holding her back.
Angel’s personal growth is showcased further in the spin-off show Angel, though he did make occasional returns to Buffy the Vampire Slayer several times to offer assistance to Buffy, including in Season 7, where he offers his services in the final battle.
