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Winifred "Fred" Burkle, daughter of Texans Roger and Trish Burkle, was one of the later additions to Angel's team. While a bit spacey and quirky, Fred was a brilliant physicist and mathematician. In 1996, Fred was accidentally sucked into a dimensional portal to Pylea, Lorne's home world, which was opened by Fred's jealous college professor, Dr. Seidel. For five years she spent an arduous life as a "cow"-the Pylean equivalent of a slave. The harsh life of solitude and serfdom took a serious toll on her social skills, as well as her mental health. However, her salvation came when Angel and his crew arrived in Pylea to find Cordelia, who had become trapped there. When Pylea was liberated Fred accompanied Angel and company back to L.A. and stayed in his hotel to readjust to life on Earth and regain her mental stability. Fred became an indispensable member of the team. Despite several traumatic instances, Fred completely adjusted to "normal" life. Her knowledge of physics and mathematics made her an excellent asset when researching and developing strategies. On the social side, she developed and ended a relationship with Charles Gunn. Unbeknownst to her at the time, she was also the object of affection of Wesley Wyndham-Price, who nobly stepped aside and gave Gunn his blessing.
However, everything changed for Fred upon joining Wolfram & Hart. Getting her own laboratory and being the head of the Science Division, Fred never felt more comfortable with her life. A major asset to the team, Angel consistently relied on her department to quickly and efficiently solve problems. Despite teasing around a relationship with her coworker Knox, she finally noticed Wesley's feelings and returned them. Unfortunately the couple's happiness was not to last. One day a mysterious sarcophagus, allowed through customs by a signature from Gunn, appeared in the lab. As Fred examined it a large cloud of dust exploded into her face. The sarcophagus was a holding cell for Illyria, one of the ancient demons predestined to rise again. The dust Fred inhaled was actually Illyria's essence, which immediately began a parasitic like existence in her body, eating away at it and making her a shell. Worse still, Knox had worshipped Illyria for years and worked at Wolfram & Hart for the sole purpose of bringing her back. Because of his affections for Fred, he "chose" her as the only one worthy to house his god. As Angel and Spike traveled to England to find a cure, Wesley remained in Fred's bedroom with her, comforting her as she fought bravely but slowly began to die. Angel learned that the only way to save Fred would be to release Illyria and draw her back to the Deeper Well in England. However, thousands of others would die as Illyria's essence cut across the world back to the Well. Thus, Angel and Spike did nothing. Cradling her in his arms, Wesley stayed with Fred until the moment she died.
Illyria
| NAME: |
Illyria |
| JOB: |
Former Warrior and Monarch over the 'Old Ones';
ancient demons who once ruled the world |
| TALENT: |
Immense physical strength and the ability to warp time |
| LOW POINT: |
Being nearly beaten to death by Hamilton |
Humans were not always the rulers of Earth. For millions of years ancient pure blood demons known as the "Old Ones" dominated the planet and fought each other for one thing alone - ultimate power. One of the most feared and respected demons of this age was Illyria, a monarch of unheard power whose land spread across what is now known as Los Angeles. Eventually defeated, Illyria was condemned to eternal slumber in a stone sarcophagus within a prison for the Old Ones known as the Deeper Well. As part of an pre-destined plan to bring Illyria back to power, her sarcophagus disappeared centuries later only to resurface in the lab of Winifred Burkle of Wolfram & Hart. When attempting to open the sarcophagus, Fred was infected with Illyria's essence and her body began to deteriorate as Illyria took over. After a slow and painful death in the arms of her lover Wesley, Fred rose again, only she ceased to be Fred: she had become Illyria.
Surprised at the amount of humans in the world, Illyria now had one goal: the retrieve her army and wipe out humanity. Possessing incredible strength and the ability to alter time, Illyria easily won every fight with Angel and the team. She made her way to the entrance of her former kingdom to assume control over her army. However, Illyria's temple was in ruins. Illyria realized she had nothing and no one and needed to find a way to live in the world of humans. Thus, she made a deal with Wesley to stop killing if he would help her adjust to the strange, new Earth. Illyria stayed at Wolfram & Hart, sparring with Spike and studying the world with Wesley. Yet her powers were too great for Fred's body and she began to self-destruct. Her time travel going haywire, Wesley sucked a vast majority of her powers into a device in order to prevent her from exploding. Left with only super strength, Illyria again mourned her situation but stayed with the team. She grew more interested with Wesley but he shunned her after she revealed she could change her appearance to look like Fred.
When tasked to guard Drogyn, she failed and was beaten mercilessly by Hamilton. Enraged and embarrassed, she agreed to be a part of the final mission against the Circle of the Black Thorn. After annihilating Izzy and his cohorts, she went to Wesley, only to find him dying from a mortal wound inflicted by Cyvus Vail. Changing her appearance to Fred's, Wesley died in her arms. Grieving, Illyria punched straight through Vail's head. Illyira met up with Angel, Spike, and Gunn at the final battleground and reported Wesley's death. Wishing to do more violence, she joined them in the ultimate battle.
Amy Louise Acker (Winifred "Fred" Burkle)
 Amy
Louise Acker was born on December 5th, 1976 in Dallas Texas.
She is the oldest in her family, having two younger sisters and a younger
brother. Her father is a lawyer. While growing up Amy excelled in ballet,
jazz dancing, and modern dancing. Unfortunately, in high school she
had knee surgery and had to stop dancing. That is when she discovered
acting. She attended the Southern Methodist University from 1996-1999,
concentrating on acting. During her junior year she modeled for J. Crew’s
spring 1998 catalogue. Amy had also spent three of her previous summers
modeling in Japan. In her senior year she was part of the Undermain
Theatre and was nominated for best leading actress in the Leon Rabin
Awards for her part in Therese Raquin. Also, while at SMU, Amy
played the role of Melissa Jorgensen in the TV movie “To Serve
and Protect” released on February 14th, 1999.
After graduating with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, Amy worked
at the American Players Theatre in Wisconsin. There she played the parts
of Hero in Much Ado About Nothing and Hilda in Ibsen’s The
Master Builder. After 8 months she moved to New York where she acted
in two independent movies: The Accident, and The Energy Specialist.
After less than a year Amy decided to move to Los Angeles. The transition
was relatively painless since her agent worked in LA as well. She also
knew people there that she had met at both SMU and in Wisconsin. While
in LA, Amy starred in Groom Lake, a film written and directed
by William Shatner of Star Trek fame.
Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles Amy tried out for the part of
Fred on ANGEL and nailed it. Originally Fred was supposed to
be a three-episode deal. After Joss Whedon mentioned the possibility
of Fred being a regular, they held a test screening and sent it in for
network approval. Thus, the quirky yet lovable Fred became a regular
on Season three of ANGEL.
Filmography:
NOTE:
Current info culminates as of December 2004
For updated Filmography on Amy refer to imdb.com
- Perfect Man, The (2005)
- Novice, The (2004) .... Jill
- Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt (2003)(TV) .... Kathy Kersh
- Catch Me If You Can (2002) .... Miggy Acker
- "Special Unit 2" (2001) TV Series .... Nancy
- Groom Lake (2002) .... Kate
- Accident, The (2001) .... Nina
- "Angel" (1999-2004) TV Series .... Winifred 'Fred' Burkle (2001-2004)
- "To Serve and Protect" (1999) aka "Family Shield" (mini) TV Series .... Melissa Jorgensen
- "Wishbone" (1995) TV Series .... Various Characters (1995-1997)
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