The Unforgettable Evolution of Cordelia: Empowering Narratives that Redefined the Buffyverse

Charisma Carpenter returns as Cordelia Chase in Audible Original Slayers, making her comeback to the Buffyverse. However, this was not a decision she took lightly. When initially asked to join, Carpenter admits feeling a slight sense of apprehension. But all doubts were quickly dispelled as she heard Amber Benson's enthusiastic pitch, which immediately alleviated any concerns. Carpenter shared this during an exclusive interview with We at the Slayers activation event at New York Comic Con on October 14.

Benson and Christopher Golden collaborated on Slayers in 2020 when they discovered that Audible had acquired the rights to develop an original project set in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe (which aired from 1997 to 2003). Together, they crafted a nine-episode audio story that takes place in 2013 and introduces a new slayer named Indira (voiced by Laya DeLeon Hayes). Indira's journey intersects with a different version of Cordelia from an alternate universe, where Cordelia was not the mean cheerleader in high school. Instead, she was destined to be the only vampire slayer, and Buffy Summers does not exist.

Carpenter's return to the Buffyverse may come as a surprise to fans, considering her previous remarks about her experiences behind the scenes. In 2021, Carpenter was among the first celebrities to speak out against Buffy showrunner Joss Whedon, accusing him of abusing his power and exhibiting "hostile and toxic" behavior. Given this context, it would have been understandable if Carpenter chose to distance herself from her character Cordelia. However, she made the decision to embrace Cordy's strength and continue her involvement in the franchise.

"It holds personal significance for me. Cordelia was a character I portrayed for a significant portion of my life, spanning around 10 years. As an actress, I believe she played a crucial role in shaping me as a person. The concept of discovering and embracing my own strength through a character and subsequently using that strength to challenge the creator of that power resonates deeply with me. Cordelia not only gave birth to the essence of who I am today, but also empowered me to undertake difficult tasks during a pivotal period in my life. To me, this embodies the essence of the Buffyverse narrative – discovering our purpose and utilizing it to create positive change in the world."

In the end, it was Benson and Golden who successfully persuaded Carpenter to join.

James Marsters and Charisma Carpenter on the set of ‘Angel’ in 2004. Mark Sullivan/WireImage

Carpenter explained that both Amber and Christopher are nurturing, which played a significant role in convincing her to accept the role again. She expressed trust in them for ensuring her safety. Emma Caulfield, reprising her role as alternate universe Anya, had a more straightforward response when asked about her return: "I emphatically declined."

Benson's pitch instantly captivated her. "We're friends, so we understand each other's past and experiences," shared Caulfield, 50. "And then she presented the complete pitch, and that sealed the deal. I was fully committed, without a doubt. I'll support her no matter what."

In the TV show universe, fans witnessed Cordelia's death on the Buffy spinoff Angel, while Anya met her demise in the original series finale. Benson aimed to utilize the Audible series to explore characters who didn't have a happy ending in the show.

Pictured from left to right are Christopher Golden, Laya DeLeon Hayes, Emma Caulfield Ford, Juliet Landau, James Charles Leary, James Marsters, Amber Benson, and Charisma Carpenter. This photograph was taken by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Audible.

The idea of Charisma Carpenter portraying Cordelia the Vampire Slayer is what truly inspires me to pursue this. Many of these characters did not have the satisfying resolutions that we hoped for, so a multiverse becomes necessary. This way, we can create a world where fans can enjoy something that feels secure and delightful.

Returning stars for Slayers season 2 include Spike portrayed by James Marsters, Clem portrayed by James Charles Leary, Drusilla portrayed by Juliet Landau, Giles portrayed by Anthony Stewart Head, Olivia portrayed by Phina Oruche, and Ghost Jonathan portrayed by Danny Strong. The cast is eager for fans to revisit the Buffyverse in the upcoming season.

Caulfield reminisced to Us, "At the end of each day, we were filled with the desire to continue," emphasizing the need to explore this vast realm of possibilities. "We should maximize our efforts by producing as many episodes as possible," Caulfield eagerly expressed. "There is an abundance of content to explore in this domain... I would love to commence the production tomorrow."

Audible currently offers the first season of Slayers for listeners to enjoy.