Who plays Cordelia Chase?

Charisma Carpenter plays Cordelia Chase in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off, Angel.

Cordelia begins as Sunnydale High’s wealthy, popular, and sharp-tongued queen bee. Although she initially looks like a stereotypical shallow cheerleader, the series gradually reveals her courage, honesty, and capacity for loyalty. She becomes an occasional ally of Buffy’s group, later joining the Scooby Gang more fully.

After Buffy’s third season, Cordelia moves to Los Angeles and becomes part of Angel Investigations. Her character develops dramatically there: she pursues acting, helps run the detective agency, receives prophetic visions, and becomes deeply committed to helping people threatened by supernatural forces.

A common mix-up is confusing Carpenter with Sarah Michelle Gellar, who plays Buffy, or with Bianca Lawson, who was associated with the series as Kendra. Carpenter played Cordelia across Buffy and Angel, making the role one of the Buffyverse’s most recognizable performances.