Former "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" star Charisma Carpenter recently shared her thoughts on how today's social media landscape would have impacted the shows' passionate fanbase during their original runs.
Speaking on the "RE-VAMPED with Juliet Landau" podcast, Carpenter predicted that social media would have driven fan engagement to new heights, describing it as potentially "bananas, cuckoo bananas." While the shows already had active online communities through message boards and conventions during their original airing, modern platforms would have amplified fan interactions dramatically.
The actress, who portrayed Cordelia Chase from 1997 to 2003 across both series, also revealed personal insights about her character. She expressed that Angel and Cordelia were her favorite romantic pairing in the series, though she believed Cordelia was ultimately meant to be independent.
Carpenter reminisced about memorable moments from filming, particularly highlighting a spectacular scene from her final season on "Angel" where her character ascended as a higher being. The sequence, shot in the early morning hours on a closed Los Angeles freeway, required her to be suspended hundreds of feet in the air.
During the podcast conversation, Carpenter also offered candid reflections on her acting career and the entertainment industry. She emphasized the importance of having backup career plans, noting that even successful actors often face uncertain futures in the evolving industry landscape.
The actress observed that today's entertainment industry differs significantly from what she considers the "golden era" when she started, pointing out that current contract terms have become increasingly challenging for actors. She also dispelled common misconceptions about the Hollywood lifestyle, noting that many prominent actors don't live the luxurious life that fans might imagine.