Angel

[5x12 You’re Welcome SPOILERS]

Why Angel Lacks Charisma
by Daniel R. Coleridge

At the end of last night’s Angel, viewers learned big news: Cordelia Chase is dead. That’s a dreary development for fans of her portrayer, Charisma Carpenter, who are mourning her big time today. But is she gone forever? Could she rise again, like Spike? Here, TV Guide Online sits down with the 33-year-old actress for a candid conversation about Cordy’s farewell and her future plans.

TV Guide Online: What a trip it’s been. From spoiled rich girl to psychic friend to evil cradle robber! And by that I mean the Cordy and Connor coupling was wrong!

Carpenter: I was a dirty bird! Ugh. That wasn’t Cordelia; she was possessed. [Laughs] I’m in denial about that whole story line. It was creepy. Connor was Angel’s son and half my age.

TVGO: Why did Cordy have to die?

Carpenter: I’m not on the show anymore and we didn’t want to just leave Cordelia in a coma. [Angel creator] Joss Whedon probably feels like this may be the last year - or not - but this would be a very big story left untold. It was necessary for me to at least come back and set her straight.

TVGO: Could you still come back?

Carpenter: Whatever happens after this, I’m open. But it’s just best this story be [resolved] now. Otherwise, it’s a disservice to the fans of our show. They pay attention, if you haven’t noticed, and they’re really rather fanatical about getting the full, complete story. They care about the story lines. The Connor/Cordelia thing was, like, major upheaval. They didn’t like it and so they responded!

TVGO: It’s great that they care enough to watch and complain.

Carpenter: Yeah, my fans are amazing. I didn’t even realize that I had such a big following until I left. Whatever it took to discover that, I’m very lucky.

TVGO: So they’ll want you back as Cordy...

Carpenter: I don’t think it’ll be necessary. You never say never. However, at this point in time, I don’t see a future for her. Even if I didn’t [have other acting work], I feel like Joss feels - the Cordelia stories have been told. There were no other directions to go with her. I mean, they made her a higher being! First she was bitchy, then she was nice. She’s matured, she’s evolved, what’s left to tell? Not a lot. And that’s fine.

TVGO: What are your plans?

Carpenter: Well, I can tell you what my goals are. I have a son now, so I want the half-hour sitcom lifestyle, where you can have a family and work. And then, during summer hiatus, I’d like to do a Kill Bill or Wonder Woman or some movie like that.

TVGO: Wait, you want to do the long-rumored Wonder Woman movie?

Carpenter: I am actively putting it out there that I want to do Lynda Carter. It’s my mission to be Wonder Woman! My agent hasn’t seen a script, but some studio needs to do it. She’s beautiful, she fights, and I like the concept of an empowerment role. I’ve always been so passive on Angel, where they usually wouldn’t let Cordelia do martial arts stunts. Charisma wants to kick ass and bust heads!