Let’s be real: mentioning the name "Kennedy" in a room full of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans is like dropping a lit match into a tub of gasoline. You’re gonna get a reaction. Most of the time, it’s a loud groan or a twenty-minute rant about how she "ruined" the final season.
Kennedy—played by the talented Iyari Limon—showed up in Season 7 as one of the Potential Slayers. She was rich, she was bratty, and she was very, very confident. She also became Willow Rosenberg’s first serious love interest after the tragic, soul-crushing death of Tara Maclay. That right there? That’s where the trouble started.
But if we’re being honest, Kennedy isn't just a "bad" character. She’s actually one of the most misunderstood and complicated figures in the late-stage Buffyverse.
The Anti-Tara Problem
The biggest hurdle Kennedy ever faced wasn't a Turok-Han vampire. It was the ghost of Tara. Fans spent years watching Willow and Tara’s relationship grow into something beautiful and grounded. When Tara was killed in Season 6, it broke the audience.
Then comes Kennedy.
She wasn't soft. She wasn't shy. She didn't stutter or look at the floor. In fact, her first scene involves her scoffing at Buffy Summers. Talk about a bad first impression.
The writers clearly wanted an "Anti-Tara." They knew they couldn't just replace the beloved witch with a clone. So they gave Willow a "brat." Kennedy was wealthy, grew up with a silver spoon (and a half-sister she barely mentioned), and had known she was gay since she was five years old. She was sure of herself in a way that felt aggressive to a fanbase still in mourning.
👉 See also: When Was Kai Cenat Born? What You Didn't Know About His Early Life
Is She Actually Predatory?
One of the loudest criticisms of Kennedy is that she was "pushy" with Willow. You’ll see this all over Reddit and old fan forums. People point to the episode "The Killer in Me" where Kennedy basically declares they’re dating, despite Willow’s obvious hesitation and lingering grief.
There’s a thin line between "direct" and "predatory."
Kennedy was 19; Willow was around 22. It wasn't a massive age gap, but the power dynamic was weird. Kennedy was a student/soldier, and Willow was a general. Yet, Kennedy was the one taking the lead. She pushed Willow to use magic again, even though magic had literally turned Willow into a skin-flaying monster just a few months prior.
Looking back, you could argue Kennedy was exactly what Willow needed: someone who wasn't afraid of her. Tara and Oz had both been "anchors," but Kennedy was more like a spark. She didn't treat Willow like a fragile glass doll. She treated her like a goddess.
The "Head Potential" Ego
Kennedy wasn't just Willow’s girlfriend; she was the de facto leader of the Potentials. And man, did she lean into it.
She had a Watcher growing up. She had training. Because of this, she felt entitled to sit at the "Big Kids Table" with the Scoobies. It’s hard to watch her talk down to Buffy—a woman who has literally died for the world twice—while Kennedy hasn't even dusted a vamp on her own yet.
✨ Don't miss: Anjelica Huston in The Addams Family: What You Didn't Know About Morticia
But here’s the thing: Kennedy was brave.
When the First Evil was psychological-warfare-ing the other girls into suicide (RIP Chloe), Kennedy was the one trying to toughen them up. Sure, her "drill sergeant" routine was abrasive, but the world was ending. She didn't have time for a group hug. She was one of the few girls who actually wanted to be a Slayer. While others were crying in the basement, Kennedy was asking for a crossbow.
What Happened After the Show?
If you only watched the TV show, you might think Willow and Kennedy lived happily ever after. The comics tell a different story.
In the Buffy Season 8 comics, Kennedy becomes a high-ranking member of the Slayer Organization. She even runs her own private security firm and becomes a millionaire. She and Willow stay together for a while, but the relationship eventually crumbles.
Why? Because Willow was always destined for something cosmic and grand, and Kennedy—despite her skills—was still just a person. They eventually broke up, which honestly felt like a relief to a lot of fans. It proved that Kennedy wasn't "The One," but rather a "Right Now" person who helped Willow survive a dark time.
Why Kennedy Still Matters
We love to hate her, but Kennedy represented a shift in how queer characters were portrayed on TV. She was "unapologetic." In 2003, having a lesbian character who was arrogant, sexual, and flawed was actually kind of revolutionary. She wasn't a victim. She wasn't a saint. She was just a bratty teenager with superpowers.
🔗 Read more: Isaiah Washington Movies and Shows: Why the Star Still Matters
Honestly, the hate for Kennedy usually boils down to two things:
- She wasn't Tara.
- She was rude to Buffy.
If you can get past those two things, you see a character who was fiercely loyal and incredibly capable. She delivered the Scythe to Buffy in the final battle. She stood her ground when the Hellmouth opened.
Actionable Insights for Buffy Fans
If you're planning a rewatch of Season 7 soon, try to look at Kennedy through a different lens:
- Watch her during the fight scenes: She’s actually one of the most competent fighters among the Potentials.
- Notice her support of Willow: In "The Killer in Me," she stays by Willow’s side even when Willow turns into Warren (her murderer). That takes some serious guts.
- Acknowledge the writing constraints: Season 7 was crowded. Kennedy didn't get the five seasons of development that Cordelia or Anya got.
Kennedy might never be your favorite character. That’s fine. But she wasn't a villain. She was just a girl who knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to be "annoying" to get it.
If you want to dive deeper into the lore, check out the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 comics to see her career as a bodyguard-mogul. It actually makes her TV behavior make a lot more sense.
Next Step: You should re-examine the episode "Get It Done" to see the exact moment Kennedy realizes just how much power Willow actually has—it's a rare moment where her bravado actually cracks.