Buffy's Cordelia was originally supposed to be played by a Black actress
Joss Whedon is said to have originally envisioned Cordelia Chase as a Black character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
According to Whedon's former PA, George Snyder, The WB network had "concern" about "interracial relationships" at the time, so the creator had to change his casting plans.
Charisma Carpenter eventually won the role, and also went on to star in spin-off Angel.
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In the book Slayers & Vampires: The Complete Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Buffy & Angel – first published back in 1999 – Snyder is quoted as saying (via ScreenRant): "Originally, Joss was looking for a Black actress for the role of Cordelia.
"But one of the stumbling blocks there was the way we knew Joss anticipated the relationships shifting and changing. There was some concern at the network at the time that interracial relationships would be problematic."
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He elaborated: "At that point, the WB was a different kind of network. I know that came up and Joss said, 'I can't have restraints on how I mix and match the dynamics. That's part of the fun of the show, that Willow is in love with Xander, Xander is in love with Buffy, Cordelia can't stand any of them yet finds herself drawn to Xander.'
"Joss decided it wasn't worth fighting that fight at that particular time, but he didn't want to be hindered in the dynamic of the shifting triangles."
Buffy the Vampire Slayer aired from 1997 to 2001 on The WB, before transferring to UPN for its final two seasons. Both networks were closed in 2006.
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