10 Casting 'What Ifs' From Buffy The Vampire Slayer
4. Charisma Carpenter
Carpenter's involvement in the Buffyverse is of course tied to one character and one character only - perfect princess Cordelia Chase. She brought her to life in all of her detestable high school narcissism and, eventually, begrudging heroism. It was a perfect piece of casting, but if Carpenter had got her way, it would never have happened. Originally, the actor went for the biggest role on the show. She auditioned to be Buffy herself.
In what with hindsight seems like a peculiar role reversal, Carpenter originally went for the role of Buffy while Sarah Michelle Gellar auditioned to play Cordelia. When it dawned on the producers that they were better off the other way round, the pair were convinced to trade roles - and we wouldn't have it any other way.
Cordelia played a prominent role in Buffy's first few seasons, before emerging as a major heroic character in the spin-off Angel. She comes a long way from the cheerleading popular girl obsessed with petty problems, and it becomes clear that there is far more to her character than meets the eye. Carpenter brought wit and heart to a role that could have very easily been a throwaway part.