Unveiling Their Deepest Regret: Buffy Actor Discloses the Ultimate Change They Would Make to the Smash Hit Show

Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Kristine Sutherland has shared her desire for a particular change in the show. Sutherland, who portrayed Joyce Summers, the mother of the main character, expressed her wish for a deeper exploration of Joyce's role as an art gallery manager. While supportive of her daughter, Joyce initially struggled to accept Buffy's destiny before becoming a strong advocate. During an appearance on the Buffy rewatch podcast The Rewatcher, Sutherland humorously mentioned her dislike for Joyce's occasional fashion choices but then went on to sincerely express her regret of not seeing more of Joyce's professional life.

I felt that what was missing in the content was a reflection of my professional attire. I believed that the clothes I wore did not align with my chosen career, and I wished that Joyce's work life could have been portrayed as more powerful. Unlike my lawyer friends who wear double-pleated pants, I had no desire to dress that way as a woman in an art gallery.

I think it would have been important to further explore Joyce's work life as part of the feminist narrative. It sometimes felt like her job was simply limited to working in an art gallery. The only scene that touched on this was the one with the masks in my workplace during the season 3 episode "Dead Man's Party." This was my only regret.

Joyce Summers Was A Hugely Important Character

Sutherland holds the record for the most recurring appearances by a Buffy character, appearing in 58 out of the show's 144 episodes. Her significance to the series goes beyond her death in "The Body." As the show progresses, her appearances are strategically utilized to reveal her character. In Buffy season 2, Joyce struggles to understand Buffy's secret life as a slayer, which becomes a central theme. In the following season, Joyce grows to accept Buffy's role while also displaying her wisdom in making decisions for her daughter.

In the subsequent seasons, Buffy grapples with guilt over leaving for college, and her bond with Joyce strengthens as they face the challenges of Joyce's illness, which ultimately leads to her demise. Within the smaller scenes, there are hints of a potential relationship and a unique bond between Giles and Joyce, which later have a profound impact.

In the season 4 finale, titled "Restless," the Scooby Gang comes together at Joyce's house, addressing the previous tension within the group. This subtly highlights the deep connection and importance they all had towards Joyce. While the show might not have explored Joyce's inner thoughts extensively, it effectively portrayed her as a pivotal figure and one of the most memorable parents in the teen drama genre.