"This Kid Is Terrified": OG Buffy The Vampire Director Recalls David Boreanaz's Nervous Reaction Playing Angel In Pilot Episode

The director of the pilot episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer reflects on David Boreanaz acting in his first major role. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a mid-season replacement on the relatively new network The WB in 1997. While some of the cast were established actors, like Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, and Anthony Stewart Head, others, like Boreanaz, were very green when the production began. After series creator Joss Whedon shot a 25-minute Buffy the Vampire Slayer unaired pilot, the world was expanded in the full-length episode that would make it to air.

On the podcast RE-VAMPED with Juliet Landau, the Drusilla actor interviewed pilot episode director Charles Martin Smith. The episode "Welcome to the Hellmouth" features Boreanaz's first appearance as Angel, where he is shown to be either a potential ally or enemy to Buffy. Smith recalls how nervous Boreanaz was, referring to him as "terrified." The two would later meet at a party where Boreanaz thanked Martin for directing him in his first big role.

Boreanaz Would Go On To Have A Legendary TV Career

The Actor Has Not Stopped Working Since The Pilot Episode

Throughout Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 1, Boreanaz was credited as a guest star, appearing in 7 out of 12 episodes. In season 2, he was upgraded to a series regular, where he played the evil alter ego Angelus in the latter half of the second installment. Impressed by Boreanaz in season 2, episode 19, "I Only Have Eyes For You," Whedon ultimately decided to spin the character off into his own series, but promised to keep the door open for a Buffy the Vampire Slayer return if the show didn't work out.

Angel: How Joss Whedon Knew David Boreanaz Was Right For Buffy's Spin-Off

Buffy the Vampire Slayer could have gone in different directions for a spin-off series, but Boreanaz inspired Whedon to choose Angel for his own show.

Posts

Following playing Angel for 8 years between both shows, Boreanaz has had a nonstop career. After Angel's finale in 2004, he appeared as Seeley Booth in Bones for 12 seasons. He quickly transitioned into another role as Jason Hayes on SEAL Team for 7 seasons, which wrapped up in 2024. Although there is no confirmation, and Boreanaz has previously denied interest, there is hope that he could return as Angel in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer sequel show.

Our Take On Boreanaz In "Welcome To The Hellmouth"

Angel Quickly Became A Highlight Of The Show

"Welcome to the Hellmouth" set the tone for the series. TV and horror fans' expectations were immediately subverted, including Boreanaz as Angel. The pilot episode establishes the mystery surrounding the character before he would eventually be revealed as a vampire in season 1, episode 7. Despite being so early in his career, Boreanaz's performance does set up the intrigue surrounding Angel. He would quickly grow into himself as an actor, and Angel became an integral part of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.