Anya Jenkins

Also known as Anyanka; Aud; Anya Emerson
Played by Emma Caulfield

INFORMATION

Originally a peasant girl called Aud in Sjornjost, in 880 A.D., Aud caught her lover Olaf in a precarious position with a load-bearing bar matron, and cast a spell on him, transforming him into a troll. This ‘masterful’ work impressed the master of the vengeance demons, D’Hoffryn, who transformed Aud into the demon Anyanka. Anyanka became a queen of her trade, as she and her friend Halfrek travelled through the world, offering ‘justice’ to wronged women. Eventually, in 1998, Anyanka posed as Anya Emerson (later Jenkins) in an effort to aid Cordelia Chase, who had been cheated on by Xander Harris. Anyanka granted her wish that Buffy Summers had never come to Sunnydale, and created a hellish world of pain and death. That reality’s version of Giles destroyed Anyanka’s power centre, in this case her pendant, and restored the world to normal, leaving Anyanka trapped in the form of Anya.

Ironically, she found herself seeking companionship in the form of Xander and the pair began dating shortly after graduation. The pair remained together until Xander proposed to Anya, but later felt he couldn’t go through with the wedding and left her at the altar. This drove her back into the arms of D’Hoffryn and she became Anyanka once more. However, this time, her own feelings of loss and betrayal kept her from doing her job and she was horrified when she killed twelve students who had tormented a young girl. Buffy and Anyanka waged a battle, which neither won, and D’Hoffryn killed Halfrek and removed Anyanka’s powers, leaving her mortal again. Anya remained with the Scooby Gang throughout their battle with the First Evil, but during the final battle, while saving Andrew’s life, she was split in half by a Bringer’s sword.

APPEARANCES: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON THREE

APPEARANCES: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON FOUR