Angel established its own cast independently of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and one abandoned character, Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Röhm) was actually supposed to have a much larger storyline in season 3.
Angel started as an extension of the universe Joss Whedon started in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and acted as a larger vehicle to fully allow David Boreanaz to show off his abilities in the role of the brooding vampire with a soul. Both Buffy and Angel have their distinct tones and, over time, Angel was able to tell some dark, mature storylines that felt too intense for Buffy. Angel season 1 and season 2 are arguably the clunkiest as the show tries to find its voice, but the early episodes introduce many ideas and characters that are fundamental for the show’s growth.
Angel season 1 features several characters from Sunnydale—such as Cordelia Chase—but Kate Lockley was a new character who was present as early as Angel season 1, episode 2, “Lonely Heart.” In Angel, Kate is a detective for the LAPD who reluctantly works alongside Angel after she learns he’s a vampire. The plot initially feels like a set-up toward Kate becoming Angel’s new romantic partner; the spin-off’s version of a vampire and human romance. What instead forms between them is a mutual respect. Although Angel and Kate end on positive terms, her disappearance after the end of Angel season 2 feels unusual, since it’s implied there’s something greater between her and Angel. Apparently, Kate was supposed to return to the show in Angel season 3, but in a much darker capacity.
There are a few occasions where Angel’s been unable to bring back old characters, but there was quite the plan in store for Kate. Angel season 3 deals with a dangerous antagonist from Angel’s past, Daniel Holtz (Keith Szarabajka), who’s determined to ruin the life that Angel’s built for himself. Holtz utilizes the abilities of Justine Cooper (Laurel Holloman), a pseudo vampire slayer who has turned to addiction and aggression to cope with the loss of her sister to vampires. Angel’s plan was for Justine’s character to be Kate, who has fallen onto hard times after her exit from Angel’s life. This development is much more powerful than Justine’s character because it doesn’t just give Kate some definitive closure, but it turns her into a villain and an example of someone who Angel couldn’t properly save.
Justine’s arc is so depressing that something drastic would need to happen to her to make this turn against Angel believable. Additionally, Justine’s the one who slits Wesley’s throat and helps sink Angel in the bottom of the ocean. Both of these acts would be more impactful coming from Kate, but they also feel like too much for her. It’s possible that Kate’s return might have meant that certain events would have been a little tamer as a result. Elisabeth Röhm was unable to resume her duties as Kate Lockley because of her other commitments at Law & Order. However, Angel still tried to find opportunities for Kate to return even after Justine had been worked into the series.
These other appearances all involved Kate’s character having fallen on harsh times and working in an unsafe environment. It’s interesting to see that the series wanted Kate to be in a bad place regardless of the context of her return. Röhm’s schedule still didn’t allow a return to happen, but Kate Lockley does make a return in the canonical Angel comic books, which is some kind of silver lining for the character. Angel season 3 is arguably the best of Angel and Justine’s character is one of the more awkward elements that would feel more natural if Kate were involved instead. However, so many characters in Angel experience tragic endings that it’s perhaps for the best that Kate Lockley remains unseen and the viewer can create their own uplifting epilogue for the character.
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