Every Buffyverse Actor Who Also Appeared On Supernatural

Here is every actor from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off, Angel, who has appeared on Supernatural. Buffy the Vampire Slayer aired from 1997-2003, spawning the spin-off, Angel, which ran from 1999-2004. Supernatural began in 2005 and was set to complete its historic fifteen season run earlier this year. However, thanks to worldwide shutdowns in the wake of COVID-19, Supernatural has essentially been granted a second final season.

In many ways, Supernatural is an obvious successor to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It may lack the feminist angle so vital to the older series, but the shows share a lot in common besides actors. Both began as pretty standard monster of the week affairs before developing layered mythologies and moving on to more serialized storytelling. They also grounded their fantastical situations in real emotions and centered on familial bonds, whether they were blood or otherwise. Buffythe Vampire Slayer and Supernatural have also both pushed the boundaries of what typical genre shows are capable of, with the former largely paving the way for some of the latter’s success. Supernatural creator Eric Kripke has professed his love for the series, even saying that he owes Buffy creator Joss Whedon a beer.

Early on in Supernatural’s run, many fans held out hope for some kind of crossover with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Alas, this was never meant to be, but the series has featured a lot of actors from the Buffyverse, in roles both major and minor. Anyone familiar with all the shows has likely recognized plenty of familiar faces. However, some of the actors who showed up in more than one series may surprise even the most loyal fans.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Although Jeffrey Dean Morgan appeared in a single Angel episode; he would go on to play a much larger part in Supernatural. Morgan portrayed Sam Ryan in Angel season 3, episode 12, “Provider”. Ryan came to Angel for help after his friend was killed by vampires, though he lied about both his real identity and how much he could pay Angel to aid him. Morgan then played Sam and Dean’s father, John Winchester, who not only had a pivotal role in Supernatural across season 1, but also left a lasting impression following his season 2 demise. After only appearing as his younger self (portrayed by Matt Cohen) for over a decade, Morgan finally reprised the role in season 14.

Amy Acker

Like Morgan, Amy Acker played a far more significant role in one series than the other. Acker appeared in Angel as Winifred “Fred” Burkle, who was introduced in season 2 after having disappeared to alternate dimension Pylea. She was rescued by Team Angel and quickly became an integral part of the group. Even after her character’s tragic season 5 death, Acker continued to work on the series as Illyria, the being that killed Fred. Acker also played Andrea Barr in Supernatural season 1, episode 3, “Dead in the Water”. Barr was a widowed mother being targeted by a vengeful spirit. Thanks to Sam and Dean, she and her son survived.

Julie Benz

Julie Benz’s Darla may have been killed off rather quickly on Buffy the Vampire Slayer – though she was meant to die even sooner – but Angel’s sire would go on to appear in some form in every season of Angel. Benz was also cast in Supernatural season 1, episode 12, “Faith”, as Layla Rourke. Rourke was going to a healer in the hopes of surviving a terminal brain tumor, until Sam and Dean made her realize that her life would be traded for someone else’s. Viewers never saw what became of Layla, but it’s safe to assume she eventually succumbed to her illness.

Amber Benson

Amber Benson played Tara Maclay on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. A powerful witch who eventually fell in love with Willow, Tara was introduced in season 4 and continued to appear on the show until she was unceremoniously killed off in season 6. Her death remains one of the most heartbreaking moments of the series. Benson didn’t leave vampires behind when she appeared on Supernatural. She played one in season 2, episode 3, “Bloodlust”. A vampire who was doing her best to survive without harming humans, Lenore eventually failed in her mission and was killed by Castiel when she reappeared in season 6.

Mercedes McNab

Mercedes McNab’s character played a fairly minor role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but Harmony Kendall was much better during her time on Angel. Part of Buffy the Vampire Slayer from the beginning, she was one of Sunnydale’s mean girls, but was later turned into a vampire. Following that, she engaged in a terribly abusive relationship with Spike. The actress reprised her role in the spin-off series when Harmony became Angel’s executive assistant in season 5. McNab also played a vampire named Lucy who was turned rather tragically on Supernatural. She appeared in season 3, episode 7, “Fresh Blood”, and was quickly dispatched by Dean.

Rob Benedict

Rob Benedict appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer long before he played Chuck on Supernatural, albeit in a very small capacity. He acted as a vampire named Jape (one of Adam’s minions) who only showed up in season 4, episode 17, “Superstar”. Thankfully for Benedict, Supernatural gave him a lot more to do. Chuck, a meek writer initially thought to be a prophet, was introduced in season 4. However, Chuck was later revealed to be none other than God himself.

Charisma Carpenter and James Marsters

Charisma Carpenter and James Marsters were series regulars in both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, as Cordelia Chase and Spike, respectively. Cordelia was introduced in Buffy’s pilot, “Welcome to the Hellmouth”, while Spike made his debut in season 2. Interestingly, these two characters evolved more than just about any others in the Buffyverse, save Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. In a special treat for Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans, Carpenter and Marsters appeared on Supernatural together in season 7, episode 5, “Shut Up, Dr. Phil”. They played a magical married couple named Don and Maggie Stark, who were in desperate need of some therapy.

Harry Groener

Best known as Mayor Wilkins in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Harry Groener played a far less villainous role in Supernatural. Richard Wilkins was the Big Bad of Buffy‘s third season and he remains one of the show’s most memorable antagonists. Groener made his Supernatural debut in season 7, episode 13, “The Slice Girls”, when Sam and Dean went to Professor Morrison for help. The anthropology professor would go on to help Sam and Dean again in season 8, before moving to Papua New Guinea.

Felicia Day

The majority of season 7’s potential slayers weren’t exactly well-received by Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans and Felicia Day wasn’t given all that much to do as Violet. Even still, for many viewers, she was one of the most likable potentials. Day played a much larger part in Supernatural as Charlie Bradbury. Charlie was a ray of light in an otherwise lackluster season 7, debuting in episode 20, “The Girl With the Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo”. She quickly became a fan favorite until her controversial death in season 10. Thankfully, the show brought back a version of Charlie in season 13 who is very much alive.

Other Actors Who Played Minor Roles in the Buffyverse and Supernatural

Robert Peters: The actor played Lorne’s demon contractor, Arney, in Angel season 3, but also portrayed Deputy Hein in Supernatural‘s pilot.

Kristin Richardson: Before she played Jenny, the mother who was living in Sam and Dean’s old house in season 1, the actress portrayed a news reporter named Tracy Bellows on Angel.

Megalyn Echikunwoke: The actress portrayed Wicca group member Vaughne in Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 7, but also appeared as Cassie Robinson in Supernatural‘s much-maligned episode, “Route 666”.

Ridge Canipe: One of the actors who played young Dean Winchester in Supernatural‘s early seasons also portrayed Tommy, a “Smile Time” victim, on Angel.

Chad Lindberg: Supernatural fans will remember him as Ash, but the actor also played David Kirby in one of Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s worst episodes, “I Robot, You Jane”.

Annie Wersching: The actress appeared on Angel as one of Jasmine’s worshippers, Margaret, before guest-starring in Supernatural season 2 as Susan Thompson, mother, and manager of the haunted Pierpont Inn.

David Monahan: After playing Garrett, an associate of Gwen’s, on Angel, the actor also portrayed Father Thomas Gregory in Supernatural season 2.

Jeff Kober: The actor not only played both Zachary Kralik, a deranged vampire, and Rack, Willow’s magic dealer, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but also portrayed prison inmate Randall in Supernatural season 2.

Aldis Hodge: Before appearing as Jake Talley, Sam’s killer in Supernatural season 2, the actor played a masked teen in season 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Aimee Garcia: The actress played Cynthia York, Cordelia’s biggest fan, in Angel season 3’s alternate reality, as well as Nancy Fitzgerald, one of Lilith’s victim’s in the Supernatural season 3 finale.

Brittany Ishibashi: After attending one of Lorne’s Vegas shows as Vivian in Angel, the actress also played Ghostfacers member, Maggie Zeddmore, in Supernatural.

Todd Stashwick: Before playing Supernatural‘s shapeshifter in season 4 episode, “Monster Movie”, the actor played the villainous Vocah in Angel‘s season 1 finale, as well as the M’Fashnik demon in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Jack Conley: The actor played both werewolf hunter Gib Cain in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and had a recurring role as the demon Sahjhan in Angel, before appearing in Supernatural as Sheriff Al Britton.

David Mattey: When Lorne became a behemoth on Angel, he was played by this actor, who also portrayed fearful ghost, Luther Garland, in Supernatural.

Mark Rolston: After playing the vampire with a soul’s frenemy, Boone, on Angel, this actor appeared in Supernatural as Dean’s torturer in Hell, Alastair.

Bradley Stryker: The actor played a victim known only as “Talky Meat” in Angel before appearing in Supernatural season 4 as Ted, who was helping his sister move to the country.

John Rubenstein: After a recurring role as Wolfram & Hart boss Linwood Murrow on Angel, this actor also showed up as Charlie the Magician in Supernatural season 4.

Jack Plotnick: The actor played doomed deputy mayor Allan Finch in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but also portrayed Dean’s co-worker, Ian Johnston, in Supernatural season 4.

Henri Lubatti: Before he appeared in Supernatural as Bobby’s Reaper, the actor played a vampire dealer on Angel in season 1.

Bryan Cuprill: After playing Roy, one of several drunks who devolved in Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s “Beer Bad”, the actor portrayed a Leviathan named George on Supernatural.

Tamara Braun: The actress appeared twice in Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 2, as a vampire named Tara, as well as a frenzied girl, before playing musical artist Cindy Cassity in Supernatural season 8.

Treva Etienne: Before appearing on Supernatural as the angel Tamiel, the actor played an underworld weapons dealer in Angel season 5.

Brigid Brannagh: The actress had a recurring role as Virginia Bryce on Angel, but later also played Rita Johnson, the sister of a vengeful spirit in Supernatural season 11.

Keith Szarabajka: Although he played Daniel Holtz, the displaced vampire hunter who stole Connor on Angel, the actor later had a recurring role in Supernatural as retired chemistry professor turned prophet, Donatello Redfield.

David Haydn-Jones: This actor starred as the ill-fated Hobson, a member of the Watcher’s Council on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well Arthur Ketch in Supernatural‘s Council equivalent, the British Men of Letters.

About The Author