Angel is the spin-off series to the popular cult hit, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Beginning in the fall of 1999, Angel took characters, Angel and Cordelia from Buffy and it's home of Sunnydale, California and placed them in Los Angeles. Angel moved to put distance between him and the woman he loved but couldn't be with, while Cordelia moved to start her life as an actress. The team was completed when Doyle, a half-demon with visions that let him guide Angel to the people who needed help, joined them. For the first season, the gang worked out of an office building with an underground apartment beneath it for Angel.

Angel Investigations, a unique team of investigators began and the people of L.A. suddenly had a vampire angel protecting them from the nastier elements of the city. Doyle died heroically in the middle of the first season, passing his visions on to Cordelia. Cordelia struggled into the role of "vision girl" with the loss of her friend, but soon Angel and Cordy found the assistance of Wesley, a ex-watcher turned rogue demon hunter.

The season finale left Wesley injured, Cordelia suffering from continuous visions and the office destroyed by an explosion. Everyone recovered, and in the second season, the gang moved into a large abandoned hotel that served as both office and home for Angel. Gunn, the leader of a street gang protecting innocents from vampires and other baddies, also became a part of the group. Reluctant at first, he eventually became a permanent member of the gang, managing to keep some small ties with his crew.

Angel and the gang struggled as the return of Angel's sire, Darla, brought out an evil side to the vampire. That resulted in Angel firing his friends and nearly destroying the only close friendships he had. Eventually, the Angel Investigations team was reunited, but Angel had a lot of work to do to earn his friend's trust back. An incident that landed Cordelia in another dimension challenged the group's bond and dedication to each other. Of course, Cordelia was rescued by her friends and everyone returned home safely.