10 Best Performances In Angel

Darla appeared as a brief antagonist in the first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but it wasn't really until its spin-off that she received some much needed character development, allowing Julie Benz to craft a complex and powerful character.

Killed in middle of her short Buffy tenure, Darla finds herself resurrected in the last episode of Angel's debut season. Spending Season 2 attempting to lure Angel back to his dark side, Benz played Darla with devilish delight - showing at once the complexities of her past and how twisted she could be.

This is all riveting stuff, leading to some great character moments between herself, Angel and Drusilla, but come Season 3 she has changed again. No longer cold or cruel, Darla returns mid-series pregnant with Angel's baby and Benz shows yet again that Darla is one of the show's most compelling creations. Because whilst she has no soul, and still has it out for her former lover, she also becomes redeemable and endearing, and her sacrifice to let her son be born safely is one of the show's strongest moments.

Darla is a character who should have stayed around longer, but thanks to Julie Benz we got to see one brilliant character evolution while she was still around.