Daniel ‘Oz’ Osbourne

“Well, a gathering is brie, mellow song stylings; shindig, dip, less mellow song stylings, perhaps a large amount of malt beverage; and hootenanny, well, it’s chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny.“

Played by Seth Green

First Appearance: Inca Mummy Girl

Daniel “Oz” Osbourne was the epitome of understated cool — lead guitarist of Dingoes Ate My Baby and the boy who quietly stole Willow Rosenberg’s heart. Their relationship deepened until Oz was bitten by his young cousin Jordy and discovered he was a werewolf. Though the curse complicated their lives, Willow and Oz stayed together through graduation. But in college, Oz found himself drawn to Veruca, a fellow werewolf whose predatory philosophy awakened something dangerous in him. When Veruca attacked Willow, Oz killed her, horrified by what he had become. Unable to trust himself, he left Sunnydale to seek control over the wolf.

Months later, Oz returned with partial mastery of his transformations, hoping to win Willow back. But Willow had fallen in love with Tara, and the emotional shock caused Oz to lose control. Realising he could no longer stay in Sunnydale — or in Willow’s life — he left again, this time with a sense of finality. He travelled to Tibet, immersing himself in Buddhist practices of herbs, chants and meditation, only to discover that none of it worked anymore. Tempted to surrender to the wolf entirely, he was steadied by Bayarmaa, who introduced him to the ancient Bon tradition.

Together, Oz and Bayarmaa developed a new spiritual discipline: not suppressing the wolf, but letting its energy flow through them and into the earth. This approach brought Oz a peace he had never known. He and Bayarmaa fell in love and had a son, Kelden. Their success drew other werewolves seeking guidance, including Monroe, whose impatience and hunger for power led him to form a violent pack. During a full moon attack on the monastery, Bayarmaa transformed and defeated Monroe, but the danger forced their family to live cautiously, always armed, always aware.

When the Scoobies arrived in a submarine seeking refuge from Twilight, Oz agreed to help Willow and the Slayers suppress their magic using the same techniques he used to ground the wolf. Though he was injured in the ensuing battle, his wounds were minor, and he remained calm even as war intruded on the sanctuary he had built. Willow apologised for bringing chaos to a place of peace, but Oz simply noted that Tibet had seen worse — a quiet reminder of his hard‑won perspective.

Oz’s life in Tibet became a refuge not only for himself but for others who struggled with their own monstrous sides. His teachings offered a path that rejected denial and embraced balance, a philosophy that stood in stark contrast to the violence that had once defined his transformations. Through discipline, love and a deep connection to the natural world, Oz found a way to live with the wolf without being consumed by it.

APPEARANCES

Buffy SEASON 2