7 Actors Who Were Almost in Buffy, the Vampire Slayer

Updated on 10/30/2018 at 12:06 PM

No matter how much of a die-hard fan you think you are of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, there's always new interesting facts to discover about the show as the years go by. Recently, I found out that Katie Holmes was initially offered the role as Buffy Summers and, yes, my mind was completely blown. (No one could have played that part better than Sarah Michelle Gellar.) Read on to see six other jaw-dropping casting facts about the series ahead.

Ryan Reynolds as Xander Harris

The lovely Ryan Reynolds almost graced our screens every week as Buffy's best friend/sidekick Xander Harris when he was offered the role. Ryan opened up about turning down the gig in a 2008 interview, saying, "I didn't want to play a guy in high school. I had just come out of high school and it was f*cking awful." Oh, but what could have been!

Britney Spears as Robot Girlfriend

The most surprising star on this list is probably Britney Spears. The "Slave 4 U" singer was reportedly going to appear as in season five's "I Was Made to Love You" episode, playing a robot-wired girlfriend who concedes to her boyfriend's every command. Spears pulled out last minute, citing scheduling conflicts, but expressed her love for the show.

Nathan Fillion as Angel

Could you imagine anyone else playing Angel besides David Boreanaz? I can't either, but it almost happened when Nathan Fillion auditioned for the role. He was later cast as the villainous priest character, Caleb, in season seven.

Danny Strong as Xander Harris

Empire cocreator Danny Strong has made a name for himself outside of the Buffy universe, but many still know and love him for his role as the geeky Jonathan Levinson on the beloved show. Strong also auditioned for the role of Xander Harris, but lost out to Nicholas Brendon.

Bianca Lawson as Cordelia Chase

Bianca Lawson is known for starring as Kendra Young, the slayer from Jamaica who was activated after Buffy's death at the end of season one, but did you know she was initially offered the role of Cordelia Chase at the start of the series? She turned it down.

Freddie Prinze Jr. as Dracula

Sarah Michelle Gellar's real-life husband Freddie Prinze Jr. was set to play Dracula in season five, but instead the role went to Rudolf Martin.

Katie Holmes as Buffy Summers

Dawson's Creek actress Katie Holmes was originally offered the part of Buffy, but she turned it down and chose to attend high school instead. Other actress who auditioned for the part? Charisma Carpenter, Julie Benz, Mercedes McNab, Julia Lee, and Elizabeth Anne Allen. They all ended up starring on the show playing characters Cordelia Chase, Darla, Harmony Kendall, Lily, and Amy Madison, respectively.