10 Best Performances In Angel

Between the last two performances, it really is hard to choose a victor. For this list, second place is going to the multi-talented Amy Acker, for her performance as Winifred "Fred" Burkle.

Rescued from Lorne's dimension during Season 2, Fred's main arc in Season 3 sees her attempting to re-adjust to life on Earth whilst trying to prove her worth to the gang and their exploits. At once socially awkward (though you would be too, if you had been trapped in a demon dimension for five years) and staggeringly intelligent, Fred proves to be one of the most invaluable members of the group.

Acker nails her more awkward moments, and also shows the audience that Fred may be the most innocent and truly good person on the show. Funny, sweet, endlessly endearing and fiercely independent, Fred's death mid-way through the final season proves to be the most gut-wrenching episode in the Buffyverse, rivalling even Buffy's "The Body" with the masterful "A Hole in the World."

But Acker's talent doesn't stop there. With Fred gone, her body is replaced by an immortal and supremely powerful being called Illyria, whom Acker clearly has fun portraying. The opposite of Fred, Illyria is cold, inhuman and evil, and despite her short tenure as the ancient demon, Acker proves to more than just a one trick pony, once more crushing every scene she gets and creating yet another of the show's more compelling and interesting characters.