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 Buffy the Vampire Slayer 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 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 Martin was thanked for helping direct Boreanaz in his first big role.
David, playing Angel, he had his first scene I think ever in my episode. And I remember him coming to set, and I just thought, “This kid is terrified.” I do remember David just not really knowing what to do. And I bumped into him many years later at one of those Hollywood parties, and he thanked me for getting him through that first day. He was really sweet about it. He said, “I really didn’t know what I was doing, but thanks, Charlie.”
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 on his own series, but promised to keep the door open for a Buffy the Vampire Slayer return if the show didn’t work out.
Related
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.
Following playing Angel for 8 years between both shows, Boreanaz has had a nonstop career. He would follow Angel ending in 2004 by appearing 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. The expectations of what TV or horror fans might be used to were immediately subverted, including Boreanaz as Angel. The pilot episode sets up the mystery around 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.
Source: RE-VAMPED with Juliet Landau