Joss Whedon talks about who may return.

Speaking at the television critics' winter press tour in Hollywood, Whedon told Sci Fi Wire.com why Sarah Michelle Gellar won't be taking the trip to LA to appear in the fifth season.

"Sarah last year said that she would be interested in coming on the show," he said. "And then this year, she ... said that it felt too soon. And that's something that I actually understand."

Whedon added, "I don't know that it's a never. ... It was more just like, 'Now's not the time.' And as writers, we have to go to our own characters and care more about that. And so it isn't ... bad, I don't think. ... I would love to see her on the show, and she's welcome anytime she decides she is ready. But I don't know if that will happen, and with a cast like that, it's not my first priority."

Another character who he hopes will return is Vincent Kartheiser as Connor, but scheduling is again a problem.

"We do have every intention of seeing him again and seeing the Connor who did grow up happy, who had everything that he never had and what that person would be like and what it would be like for Angel to deal with him knowing what Connor can never know," Whedon told reporters.