Genre: Action, Fantasy, Drama, Horror
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, David Boreanaz, Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendon, Charisma Carpenter, Emma Caulfield, Alexis Dennisof, James Marsters, Anthony Stewart Head
Created by: Joss Whedon
Production Company: 20th Century Fox Television, Mutant Enemy Inc.
Distributors: 20th Century Fox Film Corporation, The WB Television Network, United Paramount Network (UPN)

News: [ 14.Feb.02 ] Both Fraz from the Fan Forum, and Comics Continuum, have posted higher quality versions of the pics from 'Angel' 4.13. I've put the Faith ones up on the multimedia site.

Nick at the Alyson Hannigan Corner has also posted some caps from the 'Return of Faith' promo that aired after this week's episode of 'Angel.'

The UK Daily Express ran an 'exclusive' story today that confirms Eliza has agreed to star in a Buffy spinoff. (The BBC and a few other news sites have also picked up on the story.) However, there are some mistakes in their report - for instance, Eliza will be appearing in the final five episodes, not the final three - so I'd hold off on believing the news until it comes from the mouths of Mutant Enemy, Fox/UPN or Eliza herself.

Daily Express
MEET THE NEW BUFFY
EXCLUSIVE By Ruth Hilton Showbusiness Editor

BUFFY the Vampire Slayer will live on, with a new star.

She is sultry Eliza Dushku, who has already appeared in the hit TV series as moody Faith. As the Daily Express revealed in August, current star Sarah Michelle Gellar has quit to concentrate on her film career.

So the show's producers have persuaded Eliza, 22, to take over the lead role.

First, however, she will appear alongside Gellar in the final three episodes of the current series, shown on Thursdays on Sky One.

She will keep the role of Faith rather than play Buffy, to enable occasional cameo appearances by Gellar.

Although Faith has been something of a bad girl on the show, the character is popular and producers believe she's the best bet for holding on to fans. Other ideas considered but rejected included making Buffy's younger sister Dawn the main star.

[ 7.Feb.02 ] Sci Fi Wire has posted an article about a possible Faith spin-off, with comments from Chris Buchanan of Mutant Enemy:

Buffy Faith Spinoff Mulled

Christopher Buchanan—president of Mutant Enemy, the production company behind UPN's Buffy the Vampire Slayer—told SCI FI Wire that producers are considering a spinoff starring Eliza Dushku as the renegade Slayer Faith, but that no deals have been signed yet. "I believe that's something that's being bounced around, along with other things, too," Buchanan said in an interview.

Dushku is currently shooting guest spots on Buffy and its spinoff series, The WB's Angel. Fan Web sites have carried rumors recently that Dushku had signed to star in a spinoff, with some rumors suggesting the contract was for two years. Buchanan said that he was unaware of any such deal. "Certainly, because she's around doing Buffy and Angel, I know there've been discussions," Buchanan said. But, he added, "We're kind of sitting on our hands until UPN and Fox figure out what they want to do."

Though Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar has made no official announcements yet, it's expected that she won't sign up for more Buffy once her contract expires at the end of the current seventh season. Speculation has centered on whether UPN will renew the series without Gellar or seek a spinoff.

The article's been picked up by the NY Post and E! Online.

[ 4.Feb.02 ] Kristin made some nice comments about Eliza when asked about a Faith spinoff on her chat this week:

A Faith spinoff would rule.
Gotta back you up on that one, my man (lady?). Eliza has such great energy and is such a joy to be around, she'd bring a whole new attitude to the Buffyverse. The question, though, is who would helm the show. UPN is the network asking for the spinoff, so we know the channel, but the showrunner could make or break the show, and as far as I know, that has not yet been decided.

Eleanor Rigby over at the Elemental Boards posted the first three pictures of Eliza from the upcoming Angel episode, Salvage.

[ 31.Jan.02 ] Kristin at E! Online visited the "Angel" set as they were filming Episode 15 with Eliza, and she talks about a Faith spinoff in her column:

Keeping the Faith: That's apparently what the producers of Buffy are hoping to do, as they have approached Eliza Dushku (aka baddie-turned-goodie Faith) about the possibility of doing a spinoff next fall. Mutant Enemy sources tell me Dushku met with Buffy producers on Wednesday to discuss a Faith show.

Word is that Sarah Michelle Gellar has pretty much decided not to sign on for another season, so Joss Whedon and Co. are heavily weighing spinoff possibilities--and Faith the Vampire Slayer appears to be the front-runner. There's just one issue, though: Does Eliza want to do it?

Last week, I had the pinch-me pleasure of visiting the Angel set, as they taped what looks to be a stunning upcoming episode. (Stay tuned for all the juicy goodness from that visit, including a sitdown with David Boreanaz and Charisma Carpenter.)

Both Alyson Hannigan and Eliza were on hand as guest stars, and though I wasn't able to ask specifically about a Faith spinoff, they did offer up a bit of insight.

When asked if she still plans on going back to school, Eliza replied: "Each year, I say I'm going to go to school next year. And it's inevitable that I'll end up getting my education. But I love working--I'm a worker bee at heart. I love coming here. It's such a stimulus. When I'm not doing anything, that's when I'm freaking out. I get neurotic and analytical and like, 'I need a shrink!' I'm trying to figure it out. I'm definitely conflicted as to what happens from here."

I also asked Eliza if she wants to stay in TV or do more film. "It's been nice working on Angel, because it shoots here in Los Angeles," she said. "I can drive myself to work, then drive home and visit my friends or my brothers. But it's also kind of cool to shoot off and do a movie for three months. You're in, you're out, boom, you get the final product. I don't necessarily love one more than the other. TV can be a long commitment, but at the same time...you never know."

Ain't that the truth, sister! So, it looks like we'll just have to wait patiently (grrr, argh!) to find out whether the "conflicted" Eliza is here to slay.

Kristin also spoke a bit more about the set visit in her online chat. (Caution, spoilers.) The spinoff news was also reported on E! News Live on Wednesday, along with comments that Nicholas Brendon and James Marsters would be in it, but Alyson Hannigan may not. (This might just be conjecture based on various quotes by the actors, and not definite news that a Faith/Xander/Spike show is in the works.)

From TV Gal at Zap2It:

The WB made some changes to its schedule, so I want to clarify some dates for you. The Faith episodes of "Angel" will now air March 5, March 12 and March 19.

[ 25.Jan.02 ] Fraz posted on the Fan Forum that 'Angel' won't air on February 19. Instead, the WB are airing the two final 'Birds of Prey' episodes. This means that episode 4.12 ('Salvage', Faith's first episode) will be pushed back until sometime in March.

[ 22.Jan.02 ] Scripps Howard News Service posted an article that mentions Eliza's appearance on both Buffy and Angel, with comments from Marti Noxon and Amy Acker. Just a warning that the article is filled with 'Angel' spoilers for upcoming episodes:

She added Fred admires Faith for her strength.

"I want to be strong and a vampire slayer," Acker says, laughing.

Sci Fi Wire has also posted an article that definitely confirms the surprise in the spoilers from The Tragic Vixen yesterday. It also states that 'Angel' 4.15 is currently being filmed. Warning, the whole article is a spoiler.

[ 22.Jan.02 ] Many thanks to The Tragic Vixen, she's posted in-depth spoilers for 'Angel' 4.15 (Eliza's last 'Angel' episode) on the message board. As it is, there's a huge surprise in the episode, so I wouldn't read it if you want to remain unspoiled - but I will say that the whole Faith arc sounds amazing. The first Faith episode airs on Wednesday, February 19. TV Guide Online posted an article that confirms a surprise from The Tragic Vixen's spoilers. (It might also tie into 'Buffy', so anyone remaining unspoiled for one or the other of the shows might not want to read it.) The news from the article is that the last Faith episode on 'Angel' will air on March 26. No definite word yet on when the middle episode will air.

[ 15.Jan.02 ] Chris Buchanan, the president of Mutant Enemy, spoke to the press about the possibility of a Faith spin-off:

The return of vampire slayer Faith (Eliza Dushku) for the last five episodes of the season has fueled rumors of a spin-off.

"Joss has certainly had conversations with her that I'm not privy to, so I couldn't say what they talked about," Buchanan said. "It's something we've talked about internally, how cool it would be to have a Faith show 'cause we love Eliza, but we have no idea if she's interested, no idea if UPN is interested."

Also, the promo for this week's 'Angel' episode said that it was the first of 6 new episodes, which means that Angel 4.13 (Faith's first episode) will definitely be airing on February 19, in the US.

[ 14.Jan.02 ] Sci Fi Wire posted an article with Amy Acker and Alexis Denisof talking about the Faith arc on 'Angel.' (Some parts of the article may contain spoilers.) They also raved about Eliza:

Both Denisof and Acker had nothing but praise for Dushku. "She's great," Acker said. "Fred and Faith haven't had too much interaction. But it's a good, you know, tough energy to have on the set."

Denisof added, "I love her character, and she's great to work with. She just gives you so much, and she's spontaneous and fun and dangerous, and it's a blast. I'm always happy when they put our characters together. Because I think exciting things happen when our characters are together." Angel, now airing at 9 p.m. ET/PT Wednesdays, returns with original episodes on Jan. 15.

Of spoilers... many thanks to The Tragic Vixen, she's posted a lot of Faith spoilage for 'Angel' 4.14 on the message boards. Also, casting sides for 4.15 came out yesterday, and there's a summary up on Spoiled Rotten. Again, for the people who prefer not to know what happens, don't click on the links.

[ 20.Dec.02 ] Casting sides have appeared for Episode 14 of 'Angel.' A summary has been posted on Spoiled Rotten. It's pretty detailed, so you might not want to read it if you want to be surprised. Also, the Hollywood Reporter has said that 'Angel' won't move to its new timeslot on Wednesdays until January 15, 2003. That means the Faith episodes probably won't start airing until February 19, 2003. Entertainment Weekly posted an article about the major players this season on Buffy. The writer has a paragraph on Faith in her conclusion. The article might be spoilery for non-US viewers.

[ 9.Dec.02 ] More Faith spoilers have appeared from the casting sides for Angel, episode #13. A rundown has been posted on Spoiled Rotten. The Tragic Vixen has also posting some more spoilers from ep #13 on the message board. Wanda has also commented on ep #13 from her E! Online chat (she confirms that they're shooting the episode now.) As they haven't posted the chat transcript on the site yet, I'll add it using spoiler text. Highlight the text if you would like to read it. [spoiler]sublimegirls asks: Anything on Angel? Wanda replies: Faith is back!! Eliza Dushku reprises her kick-gluteous role in episode 13, which they’re now working on. We first see her blinking against the daylight, being let out into the prison yard. Also, it looks like one of the main characters will be dead as of ep 13, possibly at the hands of Angelus. Guesses?[/spoiler] 'Angel' 4.13 is likely to air on February 12, 2003 (depending on the WB's schedule, if they show new episodes straight through when they return from the holiday hiatus.) 'Angel' will be moved to Wednesday nights at 9pm ET in January, replacing the cancelled 'Birds of Prey.'

[ 8.Dec.02 ] Another Faith spoiler has popped up on Ain't It Cool News. Scroll down until the end of the Buffy section. If it's true, it's a fairly big one, so some people might not want to know.

[ 6.Dec.02 ] The first Faith spoilers have popped up over on Spoiled Rotten. Don't click if you don't want to know.

Nancy Holder and Jeff Mariotte (authors of the 'Buffy' books) spoke to BBCi about the appeal of Faith and what they think of Eliza in a Buffy spinoff:

What do you think is Faith's enduring appeal and could/should she carry Buffy should Sarah leave this year?

Jeff: I've never tried to analyse Faith's appeal, but I suppose it boils down to a few simple roots (boy, what a sadly mixed metaphor that is!):

1) Eliza is a tremendously talented actor.
2) She ain't hard to look at.
3) She's kind of the dark-Buffy, like when Elizabeth Montgomery played Samantha Stevens's evil cousin Serena, only more so.

I am not sure she could sustain a series in the way that Sarah does, because part of the appeal is that Sarah plays against type - she's a tiny blonde cheerleader who can destroy powerful vampires. Looking at Faith, you have almost no doubt that she could destroy vamps, even without the Slayer powers. But at the same time, if Joss decides to go that way, I'm certain he can pull it off.

Nancy: We wanted to bust Faith out. I also wanted to write about a dark Slayer in The Evil That Men Do, but The Powers That Be told me that Faith was going to be coming, so I had to change a few things. I'm sure Faith could hold her own as the protag/antagonist of the show. Eliza Dushku is electrifying, gorgeous, and a fantastic actor.

What about that scene with Angel in the rain when she surrenders? She pulls off the real emotions, just like Sarah. As Jeff points out, they're the two sides of the same consciousness - dark and light, champion and berserker.

[ 11.Nov.02 ] A few Joss' quotes about Faith's return, from his AOL chat last night:

AOL Host: We are getting a lot of questions if there will be crossovers.
Joss Whedon: Faith appears on both shows. We don't have any planned, but more I cannot say.

AOL Host: Can you tell us anything about what Faith will be doing on the shows later in the season?
Joss Whedon: She will probably be looking really sexy and fighting people, based on her history. Apart from that, I ain't saying.

AOL Host: Do you know exactly when she will be coming back?
Joss Whedon: About the middle of the season on "Angel." She'll be returning first, which is where we left her. Then she'll come to "Buffy" for the end of the season.

[ 1.Nov.02 ] Joss talks about the Buffy spinoff options to Wanda at E! Online:

How likely is it that Sarah Michelle Gellar will stick around? A source close to the show tells me not very. "The buzz around set," he says, "is it's 90 percent sure Sarah will not sign on, that she feels it's time to focus on other things, like her film career. If she does sign on for another year, it will probably be for part of the season, not the full 22 episodes. They're sort of preparing for that."

And that means the cultivation of a spinoff, most likely with Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) or Faith (Eliza Dushku). The producers have been working to redeem Trachtenberg's character this season after the shrieky little sis grated on fans' nerves last season. (The new mandate: No more whining.) They're also bringing back Dushku for this season's last five episodes, which obviously could segue nicely into a Faith follow-up.

Still, Whedon insists Dushku's return has little to do with a spinoff. "Eliza's coming back because we're doing a hell of a season finale this year. I love her, and I think she belongs in the mix. But that doesn't mean it's going to be the Faith show--although God knows I'd watch it. It doesn't mean anything beyond that we got the opportunity to see her again, which we hadn't had for a while."

When asked about other spinoff possibilities, such as a Dawn show, Whedon said, "At this point, the answer to every question is, 'Yes, maybe.' We're sort of prepared for anything.

[ 25.Oct.02 ] Joss Whedon spoke about the likely possibility of it being the last season for 'Buffy' to TV Guide Online of a Faith spin-off:

Whether or not Whedon's vampire saga bites the dust, the workaholic says this season's plots will not be impacted. "It doesn't really make a difference to me creatively, because I build every season to be self-contained," he explains. "I do think where we're heading this year is kind of monumental. It's going to be a big finish in May, so that if it is the last season, that's great. And if it's not, if Buffy continues or some incarnation of Buffy continues, it will serve that as well. There's always more stories to tell."

In other words, it's probably no small coincidence that Eliza Dushku will reprise her role as Buffy's Slayer nemesis at season's end. Speculation has it that should Gellar opt to hang up her stakes in May, Dushku may be recruited to headline a spinoff. "That possibility exists," confirms Whedon, adding cryptically, "It's one of many."

Spoilers from 'Angel' producer Jeffrey Bell, who said pretty much the same thing as David Simkins did a few months ago, in regards to Faith in the scheme of this season.

[ 17.Oct.02 ] Mention of Faith and Eliza in the latest David Boreanaz article on Starlog (may be spoilers):

"...we've got Faith coming back to the show. Faith has been in prison for for a while. The last time Angel and Faith had a scene together, she was behind bars and they were on the phone together, and they both had problems. I think that relationship would maybe spark even better then the relationship between Angel and Cordelia. That's going to have a huge effect on his life, to see Faith come out and to see what she's like now. Eliza is doing 3 eps this season, so it should be interesting."

[ 11.Oct.02 ] Eliza was interviewed by the Space Channel for a HypaSpace segment, when she was filming 'Wrong Turn.' She spoke mostly about her return to Buffy. The interview is up in RealPlayer format on the Buffy page of the Space Channel website. (Under '"Faith" talks about the upcoming season.')

[ 23.Sep.02 ] More from SciFi.com on the possibilities of a Faith spinoff:

Buffy Season 8 Mulled

Marti Noxon, executive producer of UPN's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, told SCI FI Wire that producers are already mulling options for how to continue the show beyond the upcoming seventh season, with or without star Sarah Michelle Gellar. Among the possibilities: a show centered on Buffy's little sister Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) or one centered on wayward slayer Faith (Eliza Dushku), Noxon said in an interview. Gellar's contract expires at the end of the new season, and she has previously expressed doubts about returning full-time.

An eighth season of Buffy "is a discussion that we've begun to start having ... with both [producing studio] Fox and UPN," Noxon said. "But it's really ... stages. I think the main thing that [creator] Joss [Whedon] feels, and I also feel, is that we wouldn't continue if we didn't feel that we had something exciting to bring to the table. If it felt like we were desperately trying to keep the franchise alive, that's not something that I think interests him. I think it's much more about, can we come up with a concept that might be either Sarah-free or Sarah-light that feels, you know, like a show worth doing? And if we're all excited about doing it and have the same level of passion, then gung ho, you know? But if we don't, I think nobody sort of wants to see a pale imitation of what was. It's a tough call. It's a tough thing. We'll see. But we do have some ideas. And Joss has some great ideas. And we're kicking those all around. And we don't know. Sarah has not said definitively no, but I think it's pretty likely that she'd at least want to scale her involvement back." ...

Noxon confirmed that Faith will return toward the end of the seventh season. But whether or not she's poised to replace Buffy "depends entirely on [Dushku]," who has an active film career, Noxon said. "But it's definitely a very interesting possibility. I know some fans ... are pretty excited about that. So we'll see. I mean, I can really see that show. I know what that show is. And so that's nice, you know? She's such a good character. And Eliza's very charismatic. So I can see what that show would be. But again, many, many hurdles. And I don't even know if Eliza's interested." Buffy kicks off its new season on Sept. 24 in its regular 8 p.m. ET/PT Tuesday time slot.

[ 8.Sep.02 ] A blurb from next week's Entertainment Weekly, gives Faith's on-air return date on 'Angel' as during the February sweeps. The show itself will return on October 6. (Warning: article contains spoilers!)

What's the matter with kids today? In last spring's cliff-hanger, Angel (David Boreanaz) was locked in a metal box and dropped to the bottom of the ocean for eternity by his 16-year-old son, Connor (Another Day in Paradise's Vincent Kartheiser, who's now a regular). That's enough to tee off anybody, which may explain the return of our hero's dark alter ego, Angelus, who'll pursue the series' mysterious new superbaddie. "We need Angelus the same way that The Silence of the Lambs needed Hannibal Lecter to catch Buffalo Bill," says exec producer Jeffrey Bell. "You need a mind like that to catch a creature so diabolically clever and evil." Villainous slayer Faith (Eliza Dushku) reappears for a multi-episode arc during February sweeps. And there's a new girl in town, Gwen (Alexa Davalos), "a cat burglar specializing in stealing pararanormal/magical/mystical things," says Bell. "She's been struck by lightning 14 times. There are benefits and certainly negative side effects." Don't try this at home, kids. (Oct. 6)

[ 29.Aug.02 ] From tomorrow's issue of the Hollywood Reporter:

Dushku staked out for 'Buffy'
Aug. 29, 2002

It's good news for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" fans: Evil vampire slayer Faith is set to return to the UPN drama series. Eliza Dushku has signed on to reprise her role as Faith this season in five episodes of "Buffy" and three episodes of the WB Network's spinoff "Angel," both from writer-producer Joss Whedon and 20th Century Fox TV. Dushku appeared on "Buffy" alongside the show's star Sarah Michelle Gellar from 1998-2000. She also guest-starred as Faith on "Angel." The actress' busy feature schedule has kept her away from the "Buffy" franchise, but now she has committed to appear in the final five episodes of the original series this season. There has been speculation that this might be "Buffy's" last year, but reps for the studio stress that no decision has been made. Dushku's feature credits include "Bring It On" and "Soul Survivors." The actress, who is shooting "Wrong Turn," next appears in "City by the Sea" opposite Robert De Niro and Frances McDormand. She is repped by ICM and the Firm. (Nellie Andreeva)

[ 26.Aug.02 ] From SciFi.com:

Dushku Back On Buffy, Angel?

Eliza Dushku told SCI FI Wire that Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel fans should check out her Aug. 27 appearance on CBS' The Late Show With David Letterman for news about her reprising her role as Faith on upcoming episodes of both series. "[Creator] Joss [Whedon] and I have been talking, talking a lot," Dushku said in an interview. "I'm doing Letterman on Tuesday night, and Tuesday is the day of the decision-making. So I'll have an announcement to make that evening."

Dushku added, "I really love the character, and it's beyond me what Joss could write for her to do, because he's so creative. I can't even imagine. But I trust him so much that I'd be able to jump in [and do] whatever he can spin for me. The whole crossover thing is pretty cool. The shows have gone off in such different directions, but also stayed true, on Angel, to the original concept. It's fun to play on both shows. Angel is a little bit darker. It's on an hour later. It's a little bit more gritty. But they're both really excellent shows."

Whedon earlier told SCI FI Wire that he hoped to bring back Dushku as the slayer gone bad on both UPN's Buffy and The WB's Angel next season, depending on whether he and she could match schedules. Buffy begins its seventh season on Sept. 24; Angel starts its fourth season on Oct. 6.

[ 13.Aug.02 ] At his appearance in the San Diego ComicCon, the first question that Joss Whedon was asked was if Eliza would be appearing in 'Buffy' and 'Angel' in the coming season. He indicated that she would be making a return to both shows, but he didn't want to announce anything official yet in case he jinxed it. I got that from a friend who went, but there's plenty of articles floating around about Faith's return.

Plus, a quote from Joss to Wanda on E! Online:

Gotta Have Faith: The question is whether she's gotta have Buffy. "We've talked about Eliza Dushku coming back," Joss said. "And I have my fingers crossed we'll see more of her this year, because I love her. Seth Green, he seems to be a lot more busy this year. We may do something. But if I can work Eliza in, she'd actually do well for this season on both shows."

And this wire article on Nando quotes David Simkins with a specific storyline for Faith's comeback to 'Angel' (warning - contains spoilers):

During midseason, the staff at Angel Investigations will find they need the help of a Hannibal Lecter-like creature to fight a villain, Simkins said. In this case, it's Angelus, not Angel, who can save the day.

But after the mission, Angelus escapes, and it's up to a slayer to stop him.

If contract talks succeed with actress Eliza Dushku, the vampire slayer Faith will return to fight Angelus during a story arc lasting several episodes.

Faith had been an evil slayer but turned herself in to the police after Angel helped her start on the road toward redemption. Angel has been helping the helpless as he tries to atone for his past misdeeds as Angelus.

But, FWIW, Ain't It Cool News reported a few days ago that Simkins has since departed the show (he was to replace David Greenwalt as a producer.)

[ 12.May.02 ] News from SciFi.com that should please Buffy fans:

OLD FACES BACK IN BUFFY

Joss Whedon, creator of UPN's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, told SCI FI Wire to expect some familiar faces and a return to an old haunt as the show kicks off its seventh season. In a series of possible spoilers for the upcoming season, Whedon said in an interview to expect the return of Glory, the god played by Claire Kramer who was apparently killed at the end of season five; Warren (Adam Busch), the evil geek killed by Willow in last season's finale; and possibly Faith (Eliza Dushku), the bad-girl Slayer last seen a few season back on Angel. The season will also begin with Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) beginning classes in a newly rebuilt Sunnydale High School, Whedon said.

Glory "will make a guest appearance, maybe more than one," Whedon said during UPN's fall preview party on the Buffy set in Santa Monica, Calif. "We're going to see a lot of old faces. A lot of them. And it's going to be ... for a very particular reason that I will not explain to you. But it's going to be a lot of fun."

Whedon also revealed that he has been in talks with Dushku about returning as Faith to both Buffy and its spinoff series, Angel if Dushku's schedule allows. "Well, hopefully she's going to be integral" to both shows, Whedon said. "But ... nothing has been set. ... We know we'd love to have her back, and we've been talking to her. We're sort holding off. ... [But] I really feel she has a place on both [shows], and it's different in each. She brings something to anywhere she graces the screen. She's an extraordinary actress. And we just want to work with her again. But until things are, you know, definite, we're keeping all that loose, in case, you know, she's suddenly making more movies, that inconsiderate girl."

Whedon confirmed that he and his staff will lighten Buffy up after the previous season, which many felt was very dark. Part of that will include a return to Sunnydale High, which was destroyed at the end of season three, and following Dawn as she treads in her older sister's footsteps. "It's nice," Whedon said. "Dawn is now the age Buffy was when the show began. And what's nice about that is that it gives us the opportunity to tell more high-school stories, which were the centerpiece of the show, and which we only got to do for two and a half years. I mean, they graduated at the end of year three, and the first season was a half season. And the only time I've ever truly felt sad and like I'd lost something was when they graduated, because I was like, 'Wait, wait, I went through more bad things! There's more pain I haven't talked about yet! I haven't complained enough!' And now I have that opportunity to complain to America again, and I'm looking forward to taking it." Buffy returns Sept. 24 in its regular Tuesday 8 p.m. timeslot.

[ 12.May.02 ] From an article in The Sacramento Bee:

Q: You have a huge fan base after being a regular on "Buffy."
A: Yeah, it can be creepy, but it's also flattering. I don't know how I can feel anything other than gratitude and appreciation.

Q: Is there a possibility that Faith might be coming back to "Buffy"?
A: The story lines are so intricate and (planned so far ahead) that they could say to me, "Could we schedule you for an episode in September?" It would be hard for me to say, "Yes, I'll be available in September" because if a movie script comes along tomorrow that I'm just nuts about, then it's kinda like, "OK, are you ready to start in two weeks?" It's hard to schedule, but I would love to go back to "Buffy" because I love the people.

[ 10.May.02 ] Eliza talking about the Buffy effect to The Daily Stanford:

"It can be creepy, but it’s also so flattering," she said. "I’m just so grateful. I mean, there’s obviously a line, but at the same time it’s like, these people have just given so much in terms of, they go to see my movies, and they come and travel from different cities to be at these signings and they’re so supportive. I don’t know how I can feel anything other than gratitude and appreciation. As long as they don’t, you know, jump on me or start calling me by my character’s name. Stuff like that freaks me out, like the ones who don’t have the line between reality and the show."

"You know, I joke about it, but it’s really, for the most part, harmless," she added. "And I’m glad that I can provide this entertainment for them, and provide this character. I think Faith really came in represented this working-class chick, whereas Buffy was kind of blonde-haired, blue-eyed, like have the mom, have the perfect home life. I got a lot of letters from young girls who just said the second she came on camera, they felt like they could relate to her, and they found a power and a strength in themselves through watching my character. That’s pretty intense. And I feel like if I emotionally helped five girls, that’s huge, because I don’t think there’s enough attention paid even now to the psychology of young girls, and the treatment of young girls in high school and the treatment of young teenage girls in society."

And to The Florida Times-Union:

The New Guy is a goofy teen comedy, but Dushku's presence is likely to attract a number of Buffy fans.

"I had no idea walking into Buffy that the show was what it was, what kind of following it had," she said. "Those fans are so loyal, so hardcore, it's almost like Star Trek fans. Those people have made every single Web site I have on the Internet."

Her Buffy role as Faith, a wild-child vampire killer, wasn't meant to be a regular gig. But it lasted two seasons (until Faith was given a life sentence in prison).

"They originally didn't really see her as being a character people would like or relate to. They kind of brought her in to be just a bad character for a few shows. But I think we brought a little sympathy to her, some innocence, so that you couldn't hate her."

[ 3.Feb.02 ] Yet another interview with Marti Noxon, this time from Dreamwatch magazine:

Q: How about returning characters: Riley Finn?
A: No comment. Cannot respond. [laughs evilly]

Q: Amy? Faith? Drusilla? Giles?
A: Amy has reappeared, and she'll be part of the universe from time to time. We don’t have any plans for her beyond the episodes that she’s appeared in. I heard recently that [Eliza Dushku] would like to come back on the show sometime. We love her, so anytime we can get her... Drusilla may come around again. She’d have some major feelings about what’s going on. There’s no plans in the works right now, but it’s something we’ve talked about. Giles is gone, but he’ll definitely pop up from time to time when Tony’s in America.

[ 29.Jan.02 ] More from Wanda at E! Online

From lorna: Will we ever see Faith again on Buffy? Please say yes.

I wish I could--and so do the producers. Apparently, they have this amazing Faith storyline just waiting for her, but Eliza Dushku has been so busy stockpiling movie roles she hasn't been able to commit.

[ 26.Jan.02 ] Marti Noxon talking again (this time to Wanda from E! Online) about Faith, Buffy and Eliza's unavailability to reprise her role:

Q: First, the question everyone has been asking: If Buffy died, why was there no new Slayer?
A: That's actually pretty easy. When Buffy died the first time, a slayer was called, and that lineage is still intact. Faith is still alive. So, Faithie and Buffy need to die for another slayer to be called.

Q: Speaking of Buffy expats, any plans for Seth Green or Eliza Dushku to come back?
A: Yeah, there's always talk about it. And when those people are available, we'd love to have them back. But they have not been available. Seth's all Greg the Bunny now--and many other things.

[ 19.Jan.02 ] Courtesy of the Spoiler Slayer, courtesy of tinkcat on the BuffyGuide boards, Eliza has said that she may make an appearance on 'Angel' later this season, but probably won't be returning to 'Buffy' [SPOILER] because they want to kill her off [/SPOILER].

[ 16.Jan.02 ] The 'Buffy' spoilers are going around again, and one of the big ones is that there's going to be a "Big Scooby Death" in an upcoming episode. Herc from AICN has pinned it down to happen during February sweeps. Naturally, the talk that it's going to be Faith has been gaining momentum. There are a few friend-of-a-friend type rumours going around that Eliza has been spotted on the 'Buffy' set, but nothing substantiated. The last word on any appearance by Eliza is still from Marti Noxon, who told TV Guide that they couldn't get her back. A good place to keep up with Buffy spoilage is through The Spoiler Slayer.

[ 15.Nov.01 ] More Buffy and Angel musings... this is from a chat that Marti Noxon (executive producer of 'Buffy') conducted on the BBC website a few days ago:

Host: Are there any other spin-offs you’d particularly like to see?
MN: Only a sit-com. The ex-friends of the Slayer sitcom. I think I’d love to see a Faith show. I’d love to see her in her own show.

Jeremy: Do you think you’d be able to get Eliza Dushku back again?
MN: I think it’s unlikely. But this is my fantasy series right?

David Boreanaz also conducted an online chat with AOL a few days ago and someone asked him whether Faith would be on 'Angel' this season:

HOST: Any chance Faith is going to be in there?
DAVID: You never know. She's locked up in a cell so you know where to find her.

HOST: Next question, hi, first off, I'd like to say I love the show and I was wondering if you have a favourite co-star to work with past or present?
DAVID: The first that comes to mind is Eliza. She was a lot of fun. Elisabeth Rohm was great to work with. There's always something in every one of them. I've enjoyed all of them really.

[ 31.Oct.01 ] TV Guide Online has posted another article with Marti Noxon talking about 'Buffy,' that again mentions Faith and Eliza's unavailability.

"We actually have an answer for that," executive producer Marti Noxon tells TV Guide Online. "It's a technicality. The reason [Buffy's demise didn't activate another vampire hunter] is that when she died the first time, a Slayer was called, so she's already had her replacement Slayer.

"It doesn't happen twice," she continues. "You only get one, and Buffy already did."

The fact that Kendra quickly kicked the bucket, and her next-in-line, Faith (Eliza Dushku), is behind bars makes no difference to the powers that be. "Since Faith is still alive," Noxon notes, "the line remains intact."

So, in other words, viewers shouldn't look for another stake-toting teenager to turn up in Sunnydale anytime soon - at least not unless Dushku's burgeoning film career takes a dive. "It would take Faith dying for another Slayer to be called," Noxon says, "and since we can't get [Dushku] on the show, the odds of that happening aren't big."

[ 26.Oct.01 ] The BBC website has been doing a series of interviews with writers, producers and directors of 'Buffy' and this is a reply from David Fury, when he was asked about what 'Buffy' spin-offs he'd like to see. "Faith, although she’s not a regular. Certainly I had imagined a long time ago doing a fugitive Slayer, a Slayer on the run from the law, on a motorcycle, travelling. Kind of a fugitive, getting involved with people’s lives and at the same time fighting the forces of darkness. I think Faith would make an amazing show, except that Eliza's a big movie star and we will probably never get that."

[ 22.Oct.01 ] Marti Noxon has confirmed in an interview with TV Guide that Eliza wouldn't be returning to 'Buffy':

Alas, other former favorites are less likely to drop in. Now that Buffy again has a pulse, a visit with the heartthrob who always made it race - Riley - is a no-brainer. However, sighs Noxon, "that's a big, big maybe. It depends on if Marc Blucas is available. He's turning into a big, fancy movie guy.

"Between him and Seth Green [who played Willow's beau, Oz], we're stuck," she adds. "And forget about Eliza Dushku [aka rogue Slayer Faith] - we can't get her back."

No real indication if this is just for the season, or ever, or if Eliza will make an appearance on 'Angel' (due to the network change - 'Buffy' heading to UPN, 'Angel' staying on the WB - Mutant Enemy currently has a 'no crossover' policy in place for the stars of the shows. This could also apply to recurring characters.) [ article ]

[ 17.Aug.01 ] There's a lot of rumours going around right now about Eliza appearing as Faith again, either in 'Buffy' (on UPN) or in 'Angel' (on the WB.) Whilst talking to TV Guide Online, David Greenwalt said that he'd like to see Eliza and a few others back on 'Angel' but makes no mention of them actually signing anyone up (aside from Julie Benz as Darla.) "Angel will leave the door open for old favorites. After all, there remains a lot of unfinished business between Angel and his exes, Darla and Drusilla. "Is there ever!" Greenwalt teases. "You'll be seeing one of them, and soon." Plus, he'd gladly welcome back budding movie stars Christian Kane as Wolfram & Hart attorney Lindsey and Eliza Dushku as rogue Slayer Faith, and new Law & Order prosecutor Elisabeth Rohm as cop Kate." (This has been misquoted in an article on Cinescape, and on a few other sites.) But in her latest column, tv gossip columnist Wanda over at E! Online gives a more definitive statement: "Of course, right about now, we could also use a little bit of Faith, and from what I hear, we just might have it -- Eliza Dushku's working hard to clear her intense movie schedule to get back in the slaying saddle." And this was also tucked into a scoop on David Boreanaz being considered for the role of Batman in the new Batman Beyond film, from an unsubstantiated source over at Coming Soon. (But the webmasters at Coming Soon cautions to take the scoop with a grain of salt.) "On a smaller note, my source (he works over there) says that Eliza Dushku is coming back to Angel for a short stay."

[ 17.Jul.01 ] In a NY Daily News article covering the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Pasadena, David Bianculli mentions: (possible spoilers for 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer')

As for the mythology of "Buffy," evil Glory will remain dead. But because this is the second time Buffy has died, no new Slayer will be appointed, as was done when she died momentarily during the early years of the series.

That replacement Slayer was killed, and replaced in turn by Eliza Dushku as Faith, last seen on "Angel," where she is most likely to reappear.

"The line now runs through Faith," Whedon said, adding that there were no immediate plans for a Faith appearance on either show, because Dushku has been busy with movie work.

[ 17.Feb.01 ] There's a major spoiler for the final few episodes of this season's Buffy floating around at Australian websites such as Buffy Down Under and Friends of Science Fiction. None of the elements add up, so I'd take it with a big grain of salt. But from a purely Faith (and Eliza's availability) related point of view, I can't see anything else logically being done with the character. If Faith does return. [HIGHLIGHT SPOILER] Thanks to a FOX OFFICIAL - Final episode of Season 5 is called DAWN OF DARKNESS. Xander will be called upon by the council after an Angel/Buffy crossover where Wesley witnesses Xander save Buffy. Xander is offered the role of a new watcher for the NEW SLAYER who is called after FAITH DIES while helping Buffy towards the end of S5. SMG WILL BE LEAVING Buffy at the end of S5 but not without having a piece of her die inside... All, I will say for this one is... There's no stronger love than that of a mother's love for her daughter. And Joyce will do ANYTHING to save Buffy - even give her own life. The NEW SLAYER will have his own show - and I mean HIS OWN SHOW (This bit is a bit iffy: buffydownunder) - before SMG leaves... When SMG leaves, Buffy will be closed down and the NEW SHOW will take over. [/HIGHLIGHT SPOILER]

[ 7.Feb.01 ] This is from a David Boreanaz interview in the February issue of Dreamwatch magazine: "...we've found somebody else who can kind of run with Angel right now; Faith, who is in jail right now but could possibly save Angel towards the end of this season." Keep in mind that this is just a possible storyline - there hasn't been yet been any official word of Eliza going back and shooting an episode of either Angel or Buffy.

[ 18.Jan.01 ] Will Eliza ever reprise her uber-successful role of Faith in the television series "Buffy" and/or "Angel?" It seems like it's all a matter of whether or not TPTB can write a good enough storyline for her return, and whether Eliza can fit it into her busy schedule.

This is Eliza's take, from the 'Bring It On' press kit: [Q] Where's your character going on "Buffy"? [Eliza] At this point, I'm not for sure if I'm going back. I've always had this kind of joke with the creator of the show, Joss, who's so great and we have a really good relationship, and have kind of said "I've jumped off a building, gone into a coma, been in jail. If you can find a brilliant way to bring me back, I've got to buy it in order to sell it and if you can get a brilliant way to bring me back, I'll come back." He's lived up to his end and it's always kind of a secret, I guess. If I was to go back, I couldn't really tell you. I'd just like to see Faith go in different directions. [Q] Do you enjoy working on the show? [Eliza] I do, so much, yeah. The cast, the crew, and television...it's just, it's different from film. I love working with everybody and it's a fun character. And the masterminds behind it, I just love what they write.

E! Online mentions that if Eliza were to appear, she would most likely appear in "Buffy's" Season 5 finale, which is coincidentally the 100th episode of the show. Cameos, like she has already done in this season's "Angel" isn't out of the question either.

But according to Marti Noxon via the PB in late 2000, when she was asked about the fates of Oz and Faith: "...we love them as much as you do. But here's the down side of good casting - when you put cool people on TV, then other people know they're cool and want them in their movies and stuff. Which sucks. Unless you go to the movies. Then it's better. And hey, popcorn. Seriously, we'll keep trying to get them back when stories work with them - and we'll see."

In April 2000, David Fury spoke at a lecture at the University of Toronto and replied to the question of whether or not we've seen the last of Faith in Sunnydale: "'I think so,' Fury says. "She seems made more for Angel's world. She seems like she'd be a great addition to some scenarios coming up on ANGEL.'" He also mentioned that "I think that Joss would be perfectly fine doing a show about Faith the Vampire Slayer, should that come about, or you know, Cindy the Vampire Slayer" when asked about Sarah Michelle Gellar's future with the show.

The idea of "Faith the Vampire Slayer" was later endorsed by Head Cheese himself (Joss Whedon) in an interview with TV Guide: "I think absolutely you could have a show that revolves around Eliza. She is an extraordinary talent," Whedon tells TV Guide Online. "But [it] would be a very different show. There's a reason why Sarah is Buffy and Buffy is Sarah. What Eliza brings to the show is very different than what Sarah brings. They have very different personas... a very different kind of magnetism."

But Eliza (god love 'er) put to rest those rumours with a classic defense: "Dushku... tells TV Guide Online that there is only one Chosen One. 'Sarah is one of the hardest-working women I know,' says the actress, who plays Buffy's arch nemesis, Faith. 'It's such a hard job and I could never see myself having the patience to do that kind of a show. I mean, Sarah's there all the time working harder than anybody else. I kind of have ADD. (Attention Deficit Disorder).'"

So in conclusion, it seems like Eliza will do guest appearances if her burgeoning film career and the storylines will allow it, but a regular gig seems like a definite no at the moment.