Which actor plays Xander Harris?

Nicholas Brendon plays Xander Harris in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Brendon portrayed Xander, one of Buffy’s closest friends and a founding member of the Scooby Gang, throughout the television series. Xander has no Slayer powers or magical destiny, but his loyalty, humor, practical skills, and willingness to stand beside his friends make him central to the group. The character first appears in the 1997 premiere, “Welcome to the Hellmouth.”

Brendon played Xander across the show’s seven seasons, appearing in all but one of its 144 episodes. He also received Saturn Award nominations for his work on Buffy in 1998, 1999, and 2000. After Buffy, he became known for roles including Kevin Lynch on Criminal Minds.

A small casting detail can cause confusion: Brendon’s twin brother, Kelly Donovan, served as a double and portrayed Xander in two episodes, most notably “The Replacement,” where two versions of Xander appear together. Donovan’s involvement does not change the standard answer to the question, which is Nicholas Brendon.