The women of Whedon

Fred, played by Amy Acker (center), came to "Angel" with a super-brain rather than superpowers, joining the vigilante vampire team after being banished as a slave into another dimension. Fred's book smarts were often the team’s secret weapon – until she got possessed by a demon in the show’s fifth season.

Acker has reteamed with Whedon as the doctor/doll/active Whiskey in "Dollhouse."

Pictured: Alexis Denisof, who played Wesley on "Angel," Acker and Joss Whedon.