Angel
1999 - United StatesSpinning off from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel took the bold step of detaching itself from the teen-orientated thrills of Sunnydale’s hell-mouth and relocating to the more adult, morally complex streets of Los Angeles. The series followed the fortunes of Angel, a centuries-old vampire cursed with a soul, who traded in high school dramas for alleyway battles and philosophical soul-searching in the aptly nicknamed City of Angels. With nothing but his inner torment and a vague hope for redemption to guide him, Angel prowled LA’s shadowy underbelly in search of people to save — and in doing so, perhaps save himself.
It’s during these early wanderings that Angel encounters Doyle, a part-demon messenger sent by the enigmatic “Powers That Be”. With Doyle acting as both comic relief and spiritual compass, and former Buffy stalwart Cordelia Chase offering a familiar and increasingly pivotal presence, the trio forms an agency to aid the helpless — part detective firm, part exorcist-for-hire. Their cases were rarely simple, often harrowing, and always tinged with the show’s trademark dark wit.
Up until its third season, Angel set itself apart by embracing a more mature tone than its parent series. The themes were weightier, the violence more visceral, and the emotional beats more resonant for an adult audience. In fact, when Channel 4 first brought the series to UK screens, some of the gorier moments were censored, prompting backlash from fans. The channel initially pulled the show before reinstating it in a later, more suitable time-slot — a decision that recognised both the show's content and its loyal viewership. Notably, Angel's darker sensibility influenced the direction of Buffy itself, particularly in its own sixth season.
Like Buffy, Angel thrived on sharp writing, rich character development, and a fine balance of horror, humour, and heart. David Boreanaz gave a commendably rich performance, perfectly capturing Angel’s brooding intensity without ever making him one-note. Just as impressive was Charisma Carpenter, whose Cordelia transformed from comic relief to emotional anchor across the seasons, bringing warmth and strength to a series often drenched in gloom.
In the end, Angel succeeded not by mimicking Buffy, but by carving out its own identity — a noir-infused supernatural drama with soul. For those who prefer their vampire stories with moral ambiguity and a touch of existential dread, Angel offered a compelling and rewarding ride.
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Seen this show? How do you rate it?
Published on November 27th, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.
