Jonathan Levinson is a

fictional character In fiction, a character (or speaker, in poetry) is a person or other being in a narrative (such as a novel, play, radio or television series, music, film, or video game). The character may be entirely fictional or based on a real-life perso ...

created by Joss Whedon for the

television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed be ...

'' Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. The character is portrayed by

Danny Strong Daniel William Strong (born June 6, 1974) is an American actor, film and television writer, director, and producer. As an actor, Strong is best known for his roles as Jonathan Levinson in ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' and Doyle McMaster in ''Gilmo ...

Character development

Strong described the early development of his character in an interview with the U.K. '' Buffy the Vampire Slayer magazine''. He described his character as the "

Kenny Kenny is a surname, a given name, and a diminutive of several different given names. In Ireland, the surname is an Anglicisation of the Irish ''Ó Cionnaith'', also spelt ''Ó Cionnaoith'' and ''Ó Cionaodha'', meaning "descendant of Cionnaith" ...

of ''Buffy''. Except that he never dies."Springer, Matt, "Big Man on Campus", from '' Buffy the Vampire Slayer magazine'' #13 (UK, September 2000), page 20-21. Strong had initially auditioned for the role of Xander, but lost out to Nicholas Brendon. He first appeared in the unaired Buffy the Vampire Slayer pilot in a bit part simply named "Student", and subsequently appeared in a number of episodes. He said that often he appeared in scenes that could have been done by other characters but that "They'll have Jonathan do it, to keep the continuity of the world". Writer/directors

David Greenwalt David Greenwalt (born October 16, 1949) is an American screenwriter, director, and producer. He was the co-executive producer of the TV series ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' and co-creator of its spinoff, ''Angel''. He is also co-creator of the sh ...

and

Marti Noxon Martha Mills Noxon (born August 25, 1964) is an American television and film writer, director, and producer. She is best known for her work as a screenwriter and executive producer on the supernatural drama series '' Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' ...

both stated in the DVD commentaries for " Reptile Boy" and "

What's My Line ''What's My Line?'' is a panel game show that originally ran in the United States on the CBS Television Network from 1950 to 1967, originally in black and white and later in color, with subsequent U.S. revivals. The game uses celebrity panelis ...

", respectively, that Danny Strong was the actor that they would call on whenever they needed a good victim, both citing his good "victim face". Eventually the character grew out of this frequent use.''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' second season DVD set. 20th century Fox (region 1, 2002), disc two and three. Explaining the potential appeal of the character, he said, "I think everyone is sort of like Jonathan. Either they're like Jonathan or they're trying to cover up their Jonathan qualities. Either they're awkward and shy, or they're doing everything they can not to appear awkward and shy. I'm not really very shy, but I certainly can be awkward at times."

Appearances

Jonathan made 34 canonical Buffyverse appearances. ; '' Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' Jonathan appeared as a guest in 28 episodes: * Season 2 (1997-98): "

Inca Mummy Girl "Inca Mummy Girl" is episode four of season two of the television series '' Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', originally airing on October 6, 1997. The episode was written by former series story editors Matt Kiene and Joe Reinkemeyer (penning their secon ...

", " Reptile Boy", " What's My Line, Part 2", "

Bad Eggs ''Bad Eggs'' is a 2003 Australian comedy movie, written and directed by Tony Martin. It stars Mick Molloy, Bob Franklin and Judith Lucy, with Alan Brough, Bill Hunter, Marshall Napier, Nicholas Bell, Steven Vidler, Shaun Micallef, Roby ...

", " Passion", "

Go Fish Go Fish or Fish is a card game usually played by two to five players,
although it can be played wi ...

" * Season 3 (1998-99): " Dead Man's Party", "

Homecoming Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni or other former members of an organization to celebrate the organization's existence. It is a tradition in many high schools, colleges, and churches in the United States, Canada and Liberia. ...

", " The Wish", "

Earshot Earshot is an American alternative metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1999. The band's lineup has changed several times during their existence, with vocalist Wil Martin being the band's sole constant member. After signing to Warner Bros. Reco ...

", "The Prom", " Graduation Day, Part 2" * Season 4 (2000): "

Superstar A superstar is someone who has great popular appeal and is widely known, prominent, or successful in their field. Celebrities referred to as "superstars" may include individuals who work as actors, musicians, athletes, and other media-based profe ...

" * Season 6 (2001-02): " Flooded", "

Life Serial "Life Serial" is the fifth episode of season 6 of the television series ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. Plot Buffy returns from her visit with Angel but refuses to talk about it. The Scoobies discuss Buffy's future. Buffy agrees to audit the clas ...

", " Smashed", " Gone", " Dead Things", "

Normal Again "Normal Again" is the 17th episode of season 6 of the television series ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. The Futon Critic named it the 35th best episode of 2002. The Trio summon a demon whose hallucinogenic venom makes Buffy believe that her impla ...

", "

Entropy Entropy is a scientific concept, as well as a measurable physical property, that is most commonly associated with a state of disorder, randomness, or uncertainty. The term and the concept are used in diverse fields, from classical thermodynam ...

", " Seeing Red", "

Villains A villain (also known as a "black hat" or "bad guy"; the feminine form is villainess) is a stock character, whether based on a historical narrative or one of literary fiction. ''Random House Unabridged Dictionary'' defines such a character a ...

", "

Two to Go "Two to Go" is the 21st episode of season 6 of the television show '' Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. The name of the episode is a reference to the previous one, which ends with Willow saying "One down" after killing Warren. Despite the death of Tara ...

", "

Grave A grave is a location where a dead body (typically that of a human, although sometimes that of an animal) is buried or interred after a funeral. Graves are usually located in special areas set aside for the purpose of burial, such as grav ...

" * Season 7 (2002-03): "

Conversations with Dead People "Conversations with Dead People" is the seventh episode of the seventh and final season of the television series ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. It is the only episode other than " Once More, with Feeling" where the title appears on screen. Plot S ...

", "

Never Leave Me "Never Leave Me" is the ninth episode of the seventh and final season of the television series ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', in which the Scooby Gang begins to realize the magnitude of their peril. Plot Xander works to repair the living room wi ...

", " First Date", " Storyteller" Jonathan appeared in 6 issues: * Season 10 (2014, 2016): "Return to Sunnydale, Parts 1 & 2", "In Pieces on the Ground, Part 3", "Own It, Parts 2, 4 & 5"

Notes and references

{{DEFAULTSORT:Levinson, Jonathan Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters Buffyverse characters who use magic Fictional characters from Los Angeles County, California Television characters introduced in 1997 Fictional attempted suicides American male characters in television Fictional high school students sv:Buffy och vampyrerna#Jonathan Levinson