Buffy the Vampire Slayer (franchise)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an American television series created by Joss Whedon. It is about a young woman named Buffy who was chosen by mystical forces to be the Slayer. She fights vampires and myriad other demons with her team of friends.

Connections with Doctor Who

• Anthony Stewart Head, who plays Buffy's mentor and father figure Rupert Giles, guest starred in the episode DW: School Reunion as villain Mr Finch and in The Infinite Quest as space pirate Baltazar. He also narrated Doctor Who Confidential and Project Who and has also provided voices for Big Finish audio dramas. He has also often been reported as a potential candidate for the role of the Doctor.
• James Marsters, who plays the vampire Spike, appeared in Torchwood Series 2 episodes Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, Fragments and Exit Wounds as Captain John Hart.
• Russell T Davies has mentioned that the Buffy episode "The Zeppo" was a possible influence to the Doctor Who episode Love & Monsters.
• It has been acknowledged that some of the dialogue in School Reunion, such as Finch's line "ignore the shooty-dog thing" was inspired by the style of writing used on Buffy.
• The Tenth Doctor and Rose Tyler made a cameo appearence in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight comic No Future for You Part One along a red telephone box instead of a blue one.
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Torchwood both have an episode entitled 'End of Days'

Similarities

• The Cardiff rift is a plot generator for Torchwood like the Hellmouth is in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
• An ancient vampire shares the same name as the recurring villian the Master.
• The Buffy episode "Go Fish" featured fish-like demons that resemble the Silurians.
• Doctor Who stories State of Decay, The Curse of Fenric and Smith and Jones included vampire-like aliens.