Buffy the Vampire Slayer

At age 18 in 1995, Gellar had already won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Leading Actress in a Drama Series.

In 1996, she originally auditioned for the role of Cordelia.

Katie Holmes and Selma Blair were in the running for the role of Buffy in 1996.

Natasha Lyonne was also considered for the role but declined it due to not wanting to commit to a series at the age of 16.

Other actresses who originally auditioned for the role of Buffy and got other roles in the show include Julie Benz (Darla), Elizabeth Anne Allen (Amy Madison), Julia Lee (Chantarelle/Lily Houston), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase) and Mercedes McNab (Harmony Kendall).

Bianca Lawson, who played slayer Kendra Young in season 2 of the show, originally auditioned for the role of Cordelia before Carpenter was cast in the role.