Grace Newman was a Sunnydale High School teacher in 1955. She had an affair with James Stanley, who killed her in a murder–suicide, and both became ghosts haunting the school.[1]
Biography
During her time at teaching at Sunnydale High, Grace began an affair with honor roll student James Stanley. When she attempted to break it off to give him a chance at a normal relationship, James lost his temper and shot her dead, subsequently taking his own life in grief.[1]
Their spirits returned, with James attempting to seek forgiveness for what he had done by possessing others to relive his last moments with Grace. However, he was trapped in a loop; the participants repeated the couples' last moments with James's host ended up shooting Grace's. In 1998, the possession resulted in the death of teacher Ellen Frank, but Giles was able to stop the possessed school janitor before he could kill himself.[1]
Eventually, James and Grace possessed Buffy and Angel, respectively. With Grace inhabiting the vampire, Angel survived the shot, allowing Grace to stop go after James. She stopped him from killing himself and admitted that she had always loved him. With this last act, the two kissed, and their spirits moved on.[1]
Powers and abilities
As a ghost, Grace had the standard powers of one:
- Possession: Grace was forced to reenact their last moments with James by possessing a girl, Miss Frank, and Angel.[1]
- Invisibility: Grace could be invisible to the naked eye by making a 1955 Sunnydale High Yearbook fall off the shelf.[1]
Behind the scenes
- She was portrayed by Meredith Salenger. Sarah Bibb, Miriam Flynn, and David Boreanaz also portrayed Grace possessing their their respective characters.
Appearances
- "I Only Have Eyes for You"
- "Waiting in the Wings" (Only mentioned)