“Well, when I’m fighting, it’s like the whole world goes away and I only know one thing: that I’m gonna win and they’re gonna lose. I like that feeling.“

Played by Eliza Dushku

First Appearance: Faith, Hope and Trick

Faith Lehane was called as the Slayer after Kendra Young’s death, emerging from a broken Boston childhood marked by an absent father and an alcoholic mother. Slaying gave her purpose and adrenaline in equal measure, and unlike Buffy, she revelled in the violence and freedom it offered. In 1998 she arrived in Sunnydale seeking help against Kakistos, and after narrowly defeating him, she remained under Giles’s guidance until Wesley Wyndam‑Pryce replaced him. On her first mission for Wesley, Faith accidentally killed Deputy Mayor Allan Finch and, unable to face the consequences, spiralled into denial and recklessness.

Her descent led her into the arms of Mayor Richard Wilkins, who became the closest thing she had ever known to a father. As his assassin, she killed without hesitation and embraced the darkness he nurtured in her. When she targeted Angel, she and Buffy clashed violently, ending with Buffy stabbing her and leaving her in a coma. After eight months, Faith awoke hungry for revenge, attacking Buffy and then Angel in Los Angeles. But Angel’s refusal to give up on her broke through her rage, and Faith surrendered herself to the police, confessing to Finch’s murder and accepting a prison sentence.

Faith remained incarcerated for two and a half years, visited regularly by Angel, who continued to mentor her toward redemption. When Angel reverted to Angelus, Wesley broke Faith out of prison, and she helped subdue the demon that had once shaped her downfall. She then travelled with Willow to Sunnydale, where she and Buffy finally reconciled. Fighting side by side against the First Evil, Faith stepped into leadership, guiding the Potentials and forging a tentative relationship with Robin Wood. She survived the destruction of Sunnydale and emerged with a renewed sense of purpose.

After the activation of Slayers worldwide, Faith initially worked with the Cleveland squad before joining Giles to prevent newly empowered Slayers from going rogue. Their partnership deepened into a surrogate father‑daughter bond, and after the Twilight crisis — which ended magic and cost Giles his life — Faith inherited all of his property and responsibilities. She relocated to London, leading a Slayer squad while working with Angel to complete Giles’s unfinished business. She stood by Angel during his attempt to resurrect Giles and fought alongside him against Whistler’s apocalyptic plan, but ultimately left London, needing space to rebuild her life on her own terms.

Faith spent time working for the private security firm Deepscan, taking on missions that required her unique blend of skill and moral flexibility. She later returned to London to assist Angel’s new team during the Magic Town crisis, confronting threats that blurred the line between policing and redemption.

APPEARANCES