Angel was born Liam in Galway, Ireland and sired as a vampire by Darla in 1753. He then became known as Angelus and the two terrorized humankind, murdering and torturing anyone who crossed their path. Angel was then cursed by gypsies who ensoulled him, making him suffer horrible guilt over …

Anya first came to Sunnydale as Anyanka, a vengeance demon, but was made mortal when Giles destroyed her power source in The Wish. She began dating Xander, much to the astonishment of his friends. The two eventually decided to get married, though Xander left her at the altar in Hell’s …

Buffy became the Slayer in 1996, which turned her life around completely. She was expelled from Hemery High School for burning down the gym (which was full of vampires). Buffy and her mother moved to Sunnydale where she met her new Watcher, Rupert Giles, and her friends Willow and Xander …

Cordelia was a vain and snobby cheerleader who constantly berated the Scoobies but eventually became a reluctant member of their group. She and Xander had a bizarre relationship, based entirely on lust rather than mutual respect, until she caught him kissing Willow (Lover’s Walk). She then became even bitchier to …

Dawn was Buffy’s younger sister who appeared suddenly in season five with no immediate explanation (Buffy vs Dracula). Dawn was the Key, a ball of energy whose purpose was to open a portal between dimensions. The Key was under the protection of some monks who created her into a human …

Rupert Giles became Buffy’s Watcher when she moved to Sunnydale (Welcome to the Hellmouth). This was a career he was told he was destined to have when he was ten so he rebelled as much as he could when he was in college. At Oxford, Giles (known then as ‘Ripper’) …

Oz was a cool and thoughtful guitar-player in band Dingoes Ate My Baby. Oz’s full name was Daniel Osbourne. He fell in love with Willow, who decided to stay with him when Oz discovered he was a werewolf (Phases). The two went to UC Sunnydale together where Oz met Veruca, …

Riley was a cheerful teaching assistant at UC Sunnydale, and also a secret Government Agent who worked for the Initiative, which trapped and tested vampires and demons. He met Buffy and realised he liked her (The Initiative). When the two eventually kissed, they discovered each other’s secrets - his involvement …

Spike was a vampire who teamed up with his insane girlfriend Drusilla to kill Buffy. He posed a real threat as he had previously killed two Slayers. Things started to go wrong for Spike. Dru left him, and he was captured by a secret Government agency who placed a chip …

Tara was a shy and insecure witch who met Willow at a Wicca meeting in college (Hush). The two became friends, and practised magic together. They fell in love and came out as a couple and Tara blossomed. She cared very much about Willow, and also about Dawn who she …

Willow was a shy, insecure, intelligent girl who was best friends with Xander who she had a crush on, but no guts to tell him her real feelings. When Buffy entered her life, Willow began to help her with her Slaying duties by researching demons in books and on the …

Xander was good friends with Willow and Buffy. He was always the odd one out in his group of friends: he had no superpowers, or special knowledge, and Buffy didn’t like him fighting with her, as he often got hurt. Xander started dating the gang’s bitchy nemesis Cordelia, and the …