Angel

Sarah Thompson (Boston Public) has come on board to star in The WB’s Angel as the series prepares for the start of its fifth season. She is set to appear in at least six episodes of the WB drama playing Eve, the new assistant to Angel (David Boreanaz) at Wolfram & Hart.

The casting comes in the wake of the departures of Charisma Carpenter and Vincent Kartheiser as series regulars. James Marsters, who played Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, had already been set to join Angel.

Executive producer Jeffrey Bell tells Variety Thompson’s character "will be an anomaly at Wolfram & Hart in that she seems like a normal and well-adjusted young lady."

"She seems sort of too normal," Bell said, adding Thompson’s character "may or may not be a love interest for Angel. The goal is to have her be a consistent force in our characters’ lives."

The entire dynamic of the show will shift this season as the series moves away from its creepy hotel setting and into a more workplace-focused atmosphere at the evil law firm of Wolfram & Hart.

"Visually the show’s going to look very different than it has before," Bell adds. "And we’re trying to tell stories that are much more stand-alone and yet still resonate in the same way (with loyal fans)."

In addition to Marsters and Thompson, Bell said Mercedes McNab, who has made guest appearances on both "Buffy" and Angel, will also be a recurring player this season.

"She has a history with Spike, and she brings a great sense of humor to the show," he said.

Bell is also hoping to attract several "Buffy" alums to make appearances this season, assuming the proper plotlines can be constructed.