What Is Angel and When Did It Air
Angel is an American supernatural drama television series that follows the vampire with a soul, Angel, played by David Boreanaz. The show was created by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt and ran for five seasons from 1999 to 2004. It was produced by Mutant Enemy Productions, Kuzui Enterprises, and Sandollar Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television, which is part of the Fox Broadcasting Company portfolio. The series is widely cited as a direct spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and is documented on the Buffyverse wiki and entertainment reference sites.
Angel premiered on October 5, 1999, and concluded on May 19, 2004, totaling 110 episodes across five seasons. The show aired in the United States on The WB Television Network for its first four seasons before moving to UPN for its final season. According to Nielsen ratings and network reports, the series averaged between 4 and 6 million viewers per episode in its first three seasons, with later seasons seeing fluctuations as it shifted networks. The complete series is available for streaming on Hulu, which is owned by The Walt Disney Company, and on Amazon Prime Video through digital licensing.
Main Characters, Cast, and Production Details
The core cast of Angel includes David Boreanaz as Angel, Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia Chase, Alexis Denisof as Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, and J. August Richards as Charles Gunn. Later seasons introduced Amy Acker as Winifred Burkle and Vincent Kartheiser as Connor, the son of Angel and Darla. The series was executive produced by Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt, and eventually Tim Minear, who took over as showrunner in later seasons. Production companies included Mutant Enemy, Kuzui Enterprises, and Sandollar Television, with 20th Century Fox Television handling distribution and network broadcast.
Behind the scenes, Angel was filmed primarily in Los Angeles, California, with many exterior shots used to depict the fictional Hyperion Hotel, which became an iconic location for the series. The show's visual effects were handled by companies such as Threshold Animation Studios and Zoic Studios, which later worked on other major science fiction and fantasy series. The series earned several award nominations, including Saturn Award nominations for Best Network Television Series and individual acting nods for David Boreanaz and Charisma Carpenter. Additional production details and episode guides are maintained by entertainment databases and the official Buffy and Angel resources operated under the 20th Century Studios umbrella.
Legacy, Streaming Availability, and Cultural Impact
Angel has maintained a dedicated fanbase since its finale in 2004 and is frequently referenced in discussions about 1990s and early 2000s television fantasy dramas. The series explored themes of redemption, moral ambiguity, and supernatural justice, distinguishing itself from other shows in the genre at the time. Its influence can be seen in subsequent supernatural television series and in the continued popularity of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise, which includes comics, novels, and reboot discussions reported by major entertainment outlets.
As of the latest available data, Angel is available for streaming on Hulu in the United States and can be purchased or rented on digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. The show is also available on DVD through 20th Century Studios Home Entertainment, with complete box sets including all five seasons and bonus features. Fan communities, conventions, and retrospective articles continue to celebrate the series, and its characters and storylines remain part of the broader Buffyverse canon documented on official and licensed reference sites.
Key Facts and Figures at a Glance
Angel ran for five seasons, 1