A well-known actress from a popular 1990s supernatural drama recently made a rare public appearance in New York City, drawing attention and evoking fond memories. The star, famous for her portrayal of Cordelia Chase in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was seen walking through the East Village just a day after turning 55. Her iconic role, which debuted in the 1997 premiere of the WB hit, later continued into the spin-off series Angel for several seasons. Before achieving widespread fame, Carpenter started her acting career in the early 90s, with one of her initial screen credits being an episode of Baywatch. Over the years, she has worked alongside major talents such as Sylvester Stallone, Kristen Bell, and Jason Statham. Her career spans both television and film, featuring notable parts in shows like Charmed and Veronica Mars, as well as blockbuster action movies including The Expendables franchise.

Charisma Carpenter was observed enjoying the summer weather in a casually chic ensemble: a printed short-sleeve top, relaxed denim jeans, and sneakers. Her wavy brunette hair cascaded past her shoulders, and she accessorized with stylish brown sunglasses while walking her dog, whose blue leash was draped casually over her arm. She appeared relaxed and content, chatting on her phone during her New York City outing. This public sighting came shortly after Carpenter made headlines for her remarks regarding the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival being developed by Hulu, which is expected to feature Sarah Michelle Gellar returning as the titular character, with acclaimed director Chloé Zhao slated to direct the pilot.

In a recent interview with IGN, Charisma expressed enthusiasm for the reboot and a strong desire for her character, Cordelia, to return. “I’m thrilled for the fans,” she stated. “To see this become a reality is amazing. I’m hopeful—very hopeful—that Cordelia has a place in this new version.” Cordelia Chase was a prominent character in Buffy for three seasons before becoming central to Angel. Her character’s controversial death in Angel‘s fourth season has been a point of public criticism from Carpenter, who previously alleged that series creator Joss Whedon wrote her off due to her pregnancy at the time. In 2021, Carpenter released a detailed social media statement, supporting actor Ray Fisher’s claims of alleged abuse of power by Whedon on the set of Justice League, describing her experience working with Whedon as “toxic” and detrimental to her mental well-being.

Reflecting on Cordelia’s contentious exit from Angel, Carpenter commented, “She had grown into such a powerful and layered woman. For her to be written off the way she was—it felt like such an injustice.” Despite this, Charisma maintains immense appreciation for the role of Cordelia and credits it with significantly shaping her personal growth. “That character transformed me,” she explained. “Cordelia helped me discover strength and assertiveness I didn’t know I had. She empowered me to be more outspoken, to stop shrinking myself. After nearly a decade in her shoes, I became a fuller version of myself.”

Charisma launched her acting career in 1994, and within a few years, she landed the role that would define her early success. She continued to act consistently throughout the 2000s, taking on roles in both fantasy and action genres. Beyond her professional life, she experienced personal milestones, including her marriage to Damian Hardy from 2002 to 2008, with whom she shares a son who occasionally appears in her Instagram posts. Regardless of whether Cordelia Chase makes a comeback to the Buffy universe, one thing is certain: Charisma Carpenter remains a beloved figure in pop culture, recognized both for her contributions to television and for her candid, empowering voice off-screen.