The ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ Cast, Then And Now

As our lead hero, SMG was the ultimate cool girl. Since Buffy, she’s starred in a few TV shows here and there, and shares two children, Charlotte and Rocky, with husband Freddie Prinze Jr. However, as of 2024, there’s been something of a Sarah Michelle Gellar renaissance. After starring in Wolf Pack and Dexter, there are now even plans for Gellar to star in a Buffy The Vampire Slayer reboot.

Ah, our dark and brooding Angel, who was responsible for a lot of young girls’ and boys’ first crushes. David wrapped up filming Bones in 2017, which he has been on for 12 years. He was then in the TV series SEAL Team.

Back in the day, Willow was our sweet and shy nerd-turned-witch. Since Buffy Alyson has acted in multiple American Pie movies, and—most famously—starred as Lily Aldrin in How I Met Your Mother. In real life, she’s married to fellow Buffy and Angel star, Alexis Denisof, who played Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. The couple shares two children.

Trusty Xander served as the sometimes-sidekick and comic relief on the show. Nicholas Brendon had recurring role on Criminal Minds between 2007 and 2014. Brendon has struggled with substance use and mental health issues over the years. He has been arrested multiple times, including twice for assaulting his girlfriends.

James has had several recurring roles on TV shows since playing the reformed bad boy, Spike, on Buffy. You may hear his voice in a number of animations, or you could have seen him on Runaways, Smallville or in P.S. I Love You. He also had a solo music career. Marsters has been married and divorced twice, and has two children.

Nearly 30 years on from playing the librarian-slash-Watcher Rupert Giles, Anthony Head has been popping up in your favourite TV shows, including Ted Lasso, Bridgerton,

Never was there a redemption arc like Cordy’s. She went from high school bully to bad-ass demon-fighter, and appeared on both Buffy and Angel’s spin-off show. Since then, Charisma has had appearances on a number of shows, specifically Veronica Mars and The Lying Game.

Oh, Faith. Everyone’s favourite bad-turned-good-turned-bad Slayer back-up was a wild ride. She met a pretty tragic end but Eliza turned out alright. She played some serious roles after Buffy, including Torchwood, Tru Calling, and Dollhouse, and famously was one of our favourite ever cheerleaders in Bring It On.

In 2024, Dushku told Boston Magazine she had become a certified therapist, specialising in psychedelic therapy for trauma patients.

Michelle Trachtenberg tragically passed away in 2025, at the age of 39. She reportedly suffered complications from liver surgery.

Michelle starred as Buffy’s sister (and also low-key key to the universe), Dawn. One of the youngest members of the cast, Michelle went on to star in Gossip Girl, Ice Princess and Euro Trip.

Anya was the resident demon/human hybrid who wound up with Xander. Following Buffy, Emma starred on Once Upon A Time and Fantasy Hospital.

Kristine played Buffy and Dawn’s strict but loving mother, Joyce, who met a really unfortunate end (who could ever forget ‘The Body’?). Sutherland has had the occasional role since Buffy, but hasn’t had a role since 2020, per IMDb.

Sweet Tara was Willow’s witchy girlfriend, who met a pretty tragic end. Her actress Amber Benson has had a good handful of TV and movie roles since then but few steady gigs.

Marc Blucas played Riley Finn, Buffy’s semi-bone headed college boyfriend who was part frat bro, part demon army jarhead. Marc has starred on CSI, Underground and Notorious since. You may also remember his role as the romantic lead in First Daughter, opposite Katie Holmes. He’s married to Dayle Haddon, with whom he has four children (including two step children Haddon had with actor Christian Slater).

Poor werewolf Oz—he and Willow were so cute, while they lasted. Seth Green has made a name for himself in the comedy world.

High school Queen Bee Harmony got turned into a (pretty bad, but kind of funny) vampire later in the series. Mercedes is pretty low-key nowadays.

After playing Spike’s neurotic and death-obsessed vampire girlfriend, Drusilla, Juliet Landau did quite a few voice acting roles.