The former Buffy and Angel vampire on playing a serial killer’s girlfriend in Dexter and her role in the Halo series.
US, December 14, 2006 - Before the season finale airs,
catch up, by checking out our recap of the entire first season of
Dexter, including clips from every single episode.
As the very first character seen on Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, Julie Benz instantly made an impression as the vampire Darla.
For the next 8 television seasons, she would get to show many different
facets of the role, as not even dying (twice!) could keep Darla from
being an important part of the story and mythos behind Buffy and the
spinoff series Angel, the latter of which allowed Benz to greatly
expand her character.
This year, Benz’s new show Dexter premiered on
Showtime, and quickly proved to be one of the most imaginative and
compelling series on the air. Benz plays Rita, the girlfriend to the
title character Dexter (Six Feet Under’s Michael C. Hall), who just so
happens to be a serial killer; though one who preys on other criminals
and murderers. Rita meanwhile is a woman trying to get past an abusive
marriage, and is unaware that the great new guy in her life has quite
the body count going.
With the season finale of Dexter about to air, I spoke
to Benz for an exclusive chat with IGN, to talk about her experiences
making her terrific new show, along with a discussion about her time
playing Darla on Buffy and Angel. Benz also voiced Miranda Keyes in
Halo 2, and with Halo 3 on the horizon, we talked about her experience
working on that game and whether she’ll be a part of Halo 3.
IGN TV: When you first heard the storyline of Dexter, what did you think?
Julie Benz: When they sent me the script, I didn’t
really know anything about it, except they said, "We have an audition
for you tomorrow, here’s the script." And I read the script, and I
thought, "This is one of the best pilot scripts I’ve ever read. And
I’ll never be a part of it, because they’ll never want me!" It was so
good. So yeah, I just thought it was absolutely amazing.
IGN TV: Dexter is such a fascinating character, because
you find yourself sympathizing with him or rooting for him, but then
you remember what he is. Do you think of him as sympathetic?
Benz: I do! I mean, in watching the show, I think you
can’t help but start rooting for him, and it’s a really bizarre feeling
you’re left with, when you find yourself rooting for a guy who’s a
serial killer. But he’s trying to do right! [Laughs] I mean he is
trying to live by a moral code.
IGN TV: How is it working with Michael?
Benz: He’s the most intelligent actor I’ve ever worked
with, as far as understanding the material and the character and the
scripts on a whole. Not just from a selfish standpoint, but from a
whole overall theme and vision standpoint. He’s a very generous actor
as well. I was intimidated at first, because I was such a big fan of
his from Six Feet Under, and it’s hard to go, "Oh my god, I can’t
believe I’m working with him!" I had to get past that. IGN TV: What’s
it been like for you playing Rita and portraying someone with such a
big protective bubble around herself, that she slowly starts to let go
of?
Benz: I guess Rita’s just the more vulnerable side of
me. I didn’t really feel that I had to do anything, except be relaxed
enough to tap into that vulnerability, and really just live off of what
Michael gives me, which is amazing.
IGN TV: As the season has gone on and Rita and Dexter
have grown closer, you’ve had some pretty intimate scenes. Did you
figure going in, "Okay, this is cable... We might end up doing some
naughty stuff"?
Benz: Yeah, I mean it is a concern when you sign on to
do any show really. But I felt those scenes we had to do, where there
was some nudity involved, it was integral to the script and it was not
gratuitous. They shot it beautifully. There is a little bit of
hesitation, but for me, the script was so good and Rita is such an
amazing character that I was not going to let that stand in my way of
playing the part. And they have held up their end of the bargain, which
was not [to have me] gratuitously just walking around naked, but it was
an integral part of the script and story.
IGN TV: Because of the part she plays in Dexter’s life,
it’s obviously built in to the role that you’re not around for the
police investigation stuff on the show. Is it strange having several
costars you’ve never worked with yet?
Benz: [Laughs] Yes, because we all get along so well!
We see each other at parties and it’s like, "Oh my god! I can’t believe
we’re in the same show!" We laugh about it. There was a scene written
where I was going to be working with some of the other actors and it
was taken out. I forget which episode it was. I was so excited, but
then, you know... I see everybody at the table readings, and we get
together for the show. But it actually makes it great when I watch the
show, because the whole Ice Truck Killer storyline I was not involved
in and did not get to see how it played out. So it was very exciting
for me to get to watch, and really watch it as an audience member, and
not as somebody involved in the show.
IGN TV: Do you ever get to see the sets for the crime scenes or the crazy body part props they have on the show?
Benz: Not really. I mean, I could if I wanted to, but they usually shoot those on the days I’m not there.
IGN TV: Does Michael ever tell you stuff like, "Oh, I just shot a scene in a room filled with blood" or things like that?
Benz: Yeah. Everybody, when they shoot some of the cool
stuff, not just Michael, but the whole crew will talk about it the next
day.
IGN TV: It seems like even as we come to like Dexter
and Rita, that their relationship can’t help but end tragically, in one
way or another. Do you foresee a way that she could at least get a
happy ending?
Benz: Oh, maybe he completely reforms himself, and
never reveals his true side to her! And they live happily ever after! I
think she’s perfectly happy being oblivious.
IGN TV: How is working with the two children who play your kids on the show?
Benz: They always say never work with children and
animals, right? But it’s really refreshing. I’ve learned a lot from
them, actually, about acting. They really just are on set; they are who
they are and they’re really just alive and living truly in the moment.
They don’t really have preconceived ideas about how things are supposed
to go. So as an actor it keeps you on your toes and it’s very
refreshing to have that. They keep me on my toes and keep me alive when
I’m working with them.
IGN TV: Have they ever done or said anything in a scene that kind of threw you, but you went with it?
Benz: Sometimes Daniel [Goldman] has a hard time with
some of the words they give him and he mispronounces them, and it’s
just so cute. He had trouble saying marshmallow, and it was just...
Michael and I could barely contain ourselves from laughing. It was so
cute what he was saying!
IGN TV: Now I have to out myself as a major Buffy and Angel geek.
Benz: That’s okay!
IGN TV: You were on the original, unaired pilot of Buffy. I’m curious what your memories of filming that were like?
Benz: I just remember it being really chaotic. I
haaaated my wardrobe. I remember that specifically. [Laughs] And I was
dealing with a lot of the vampire makeup and stuff. I was what I call
the "test dummy" for the vampire look. So I was put through a lot of
camera tests, having to come in, and they’d put the vampire face on and
they’d redo it and reapply it and all that. None of that was down yet.
It was pretty tough for me to handle all that stuff.
One of these characters is a serial killer: (L-R)
Christina Robinson as Astor, Julie Benz as Rita, Daniel Goldman as
Cody, and Michael C. Hall as the title character, on Dexter
IGN TV: You were one of the only people to be there from the very
beginning of Buffy to making appearances up through the end of Angel.
What was it like to see that through the duration and see how much
people reacted to it, and how it resonated so much?
Benz: It was a really great experience and a really get
journey for me as an actor. However, I cringe when I look back at the
very beginning Buffy episodes. Because I was so young, and I had bad
hair... [Laughs] I like to say I wasn’t fully formed as a woman. So
yeah, I cringe. I look at it and think, "Oh god... I’m so young!"
IGN TV: Did you watch the final night of The WB, when they rebroadcast the Buffy and Angel pilots?
Benz: Yes, I actually was with Charisma [Carpenter] at
[former WB head] Garth Ancier’s house, and they had a big party for the
ending of the network. We watched it there. It was fun. Once again, we
were both cringing. We were like, "Oh my god! Look at us! What were we
thinking wearing that? Why did I think bangs were a good fashion
choice?"
IGN TV: Well now of course that look is immortalized as an action figure. What’s it like to have figures of yourself?
Benz: It’s definitely very exciting to have action
figures made, and it will be something when I’m older, and have a
family, to pass down through generations, and they can all make fun of
their grandma. It’s cool. I just wish it looked a little more like me!
And that it was more the later days of Darla. I would like to see a
period costume Darla. They need to do an action figure where you can
change her hair and her clothes. And the face; where you can snap on
like the regular face and snap on the vampire face.
IGN TV: Did you ever get used to the makeup and the teeth?
Benz: The teeth were easy to get used to, although I
used to break mine, because I grind my teeth. But I never got used to
the prosthetic makeup. They tried to make the process as easy as
possible, and they were really great about it, but you are putting a
lot of chemicals on your face, and you’re gluing something to your
skin! So having to remove it is really not that pleasant. They try to
con you by saying, "It’s like getting a great facial." But it’s like
removing seven layers of your skin on your face. And I have very
sensitive skin, so it took its toll on me.
IGN TV: I’d imagine you never could have imagined Darla
would turn out to be so integral to the story. You’d done some
flashback episodes after you’d died on Buffy, but what was your
reaction when you learned they wanted to bring you back on Angel in
such a big way?
Benz: I was shocked. I just thought once you poof’d,
you poof’d! I thought that was it. So when they threw it out to me that
I was coming back... They didn’t tell me they were bringing her back to
life. They just sent me the script for the season finale for season one
of Angel, when they rose me from the dead. I was reading the script,
and half way through, Darla still hadn’t shown up, and I was like,
"Alright..." I get three quarters of the way through and I think,
"Maybe they sent me the wrong script...?" And then I get to the last
page, and I was like, "Oh my god! I can’t believe this! This is so
cool!" At that time I’d been committed to another project too, and we
weren’t sure how long my commitment to them would be. We didn’t even
know if I was going to be available or not. But it all ended up working
out.
IGN TV: There had been some rumors and speculation
about why Darla left for awhile near the end of season two, after Angel
and Darla slept together. Can I ask what the truth is behind all that?
Benz: Just the storyline ran out. They wanted to move
on to another storyline. That’s what I was always told! What was the
speculation?
IGN TV: Well with a rampant fanbase like that show had, I think I’d heard every possibility for why something happened.
Benz: Yeah, I just think they thought they’d played out
the storyline as much as possible, and rather then... You know, one of
the things I really loved about playing Darla was I was never relegated
to a C or D storyline that maybe wasn’t very well supported. And they
didn’t want to do that to the character; they felt it was important to
move forward. And in order to do that, they had to have me run away, so
then I could come back for season three!
IGN TV: When you came back in season three, Darla was
pregnant. Through the years, you also got to play her human, and play
her as the more angelic version that appeared to Connor. I’d imagine it
must have been fun to explore so many different sides of the same
character?
Benz: Yeah. I felt like every week they were throwing
challenges at me right and left, and seeing if I could do them. And
it’s great when you’re on a show where they do that. You’re never
bored! Every week it was always something else to look forward to in
the script that I was just gonna have to do or a fear I was gonna have
to conquer. I had to sing one episode, and I don’t sing. And [Angel
Executive Producer] David Greenwalt called me up and he’s like, "Let’s
do it." And I said, "Look, I’ll give it a try, but, you know..." It
took a lot of courage for me to go in and do it, ’cause I am not a
singer and I suffered horrible stage fright with that kind of stuff.
But I thought, you know, I’m not gonna say no.
And every week, it was always something. I had to be
buried alive at one point, underneath the dirt. And granted, it was
topsoil or whatever, but you know, it’s not my favorite thing to do!
Another time I had to ride a horse through a fire ring and you know,
once again; not really something I do every day! So there were physical
challenges they presented me with every week, as well as the emotional
challenges. Every script I’d get, I’d think, "I don’t think I can do
this..." I’d be like, "I have to quit. I can’t do this, I can’t do
this!" There’s be this whole freak out, like, "I can’t do it." And then
I would do it. And then I’d be like, "Wow! I can do anything!" And then
I’d get the next script and go, "...I can’t do that!" [Laughs]
IGN TV: [Laughs] Sounds like it was a good testing ground!
Benz: Yeah, it was a great place to grow and learn as
an actor, and they really provided a warm and safe environment to make
choices, and to fall on your face, if need be. They wanted you to be
creative. They wanted you to come to set with ideas about how you were
going to play the character and how you were going to bring the script
to life. They wanted that. It was really a wonderful atmosphere.
IGN TV: Well, I think you pulled off the singing very well.
Benz: Aww, thank you! I’ll never do it again!
IGN TV: Your last scene on Angel was with you, David
Boreanaz, James Marsters and Juliet Landau. Those scenes were great
with the four of you. Was it fun for you guys to play that quartet?
Benz: Going back and doing the episode "The Girl in
Question" was just a great way, I think, for all of us to kind of say
goodbye to our characters, to be together and to have some fun. And to
not have it be this painful, one of us sobbing on the floor, kind of
moment. Because it was always one of us having to do that! Whether it
was me, or Juliet or Spike or Angel, it was always one of us who had
to...
IGN TV: Have the angst?
Benz: Yeah! It was really kind of fun and refreshing to
go in and just be playful and we had a great time shooting it. My sheet
that I was wrapped in kept getting stuck on the camera dolly, and it
was kind of funny. It would kind of fall down. It was a great way to
end; flashing everybody! We had a lot of fun, and I’m so happy they had
us back to do that scene, because anything else I think would have been
too hard; too difficult; too painful.
IGN TV: I always thought they should make a poster of that great shot of the four of you walking in slow motion together.
Benz: Aww, isn’t that wonderful? FYI, we shot that at like 3:30 in the morning. We were all half asleep!
IGN TV: Oh really? So they’re saying, "Look cool" and you’re just thinking, "I want to go to bed"?
Benz: We were like [in drowsy voice], "Okay, where do you want us? Okay. We go from point A to point B... Alright. No problem."
IGN TV: Have you shared your own experiences with Michael C. Hall playing a mass murderer or given him any tips?
Benz: Noooooo. Because you know, he just slices them up. I get to suck their blood. It’s a little different.
IGN TV: Halo 3 is coming next year, and I was curious how you came to be involved in that franchise?
Benz: I actually am only involved in Halo 2. I won’t be involved in Halo 3.
IGN TV: Oh. That’s what I get for trusting imdb too much.
Benz: No, they called recently and said I will not be... They’re changing the voice. Am I allowed to say that?
IGN TV: You’re allowed to say that! Because when it comes out, people are going to be mad, so they might as well know now.
Benz: Yeah, they’re changing the voice. They’re giving
her an accent is what they said. I don’t know if that’s true. That’s
what I was told. I will not be involved in Halo 3. But with Halo 2,
they were big Buffy and Angel fans and they came in and asked if I’d be
interested in doing it, and I said, "Sure!" I had no idea what it was!
IGN TV: So you had no idea how huge it was?
Benz: I had no idea. I wasn’t even allowed to tell
people I was doing it. And then when I finally was able to tell people,
"I’m gonna be in Halo 2," they went, "No way! No way!" I was like, "I
just thought it was a game..." I didn’t know! But it’s great. I love
doing voiceover work. It’s a great job. You get to go in with your
sweatpants. You don’t even have to shower, if you don’t want to, as
long as you don’t smell too bad. And you can go in and record, and it’s
really fun. You have to use your imagination and really put yourself
there. And it’s a big acting challenge, I find, to do that. It was so
much fun be able to go in and do it, and I’m sad I’m not involved in
Halo 3.
IGN TV: I am too! Is it strange to hear your voice come out of a videogame character?
Benz: I’ve never played the game! They sent me the
game, but I don’t have the machine! They sent me like four [copies] of
the game, like limited edition and all this stuff. I was like, "Oh! But
I don’t have the machine..." I guess I should go buy one! It’s on my
list of things to do.
IGN TV: Speaking of voiceovers, your husband, John
Kassir, is the voice of the Crypt Keeper. As a horror fan, I have to
say it’s amusing to think that the Crypt Keeper is married to Darla.
Benz: Yes. We have a very creepy household.
IGN TV: It’s an Addams Family vibe?
Benz: Totally, totally! [Laughs] No. It’s weird. It’s
bizarre. We laugh about it, because we’re just regular people, and we
kind of just go, "Wow. Okay, we both have trading cards and action
figures," you know? But no, it’s fun and we enjoy it.
IGN TV: You’ve done convention appearances. How is it for you doing those and interacting with your fans?
Benz: I enjoy it. I really feel that one of the reasons
that Darla was around for so long was because of the fan response to
her. So I really owe the fans a thank you for keeping me employed for
so long. And also the response to the show... I feel like it’s my
opportunity to give back and say thanks. I love hearing the different
theories and the ideas they have for the storylines for the show. They
blow me away with their knowledge!
IGN TV: Yeah, some people know a lot of things about the shows.
Benz: Yeah, but you know what? I respect that, and it
actually made me pay more attention to the show. I love that the fans
are as passionate about it as we were making it, and I totally respect
their passion for it.
IGN TV: So what can you tell us or tease us with about the season finale of Dexter?
Benz: It’s big! It’s big. They went all out. It’s
really... It’s amazing what they’ve done with the story. I can’t really
give anything away, because I want the audience to go with it. I’ve
enjoyed so much having fans, family members, and friends coming up and
asking me things. For awhile everybody wanted to know who the Ice Truck
Killer was. I said, "I can’t tell you!" Hearing everyone’s theories and
philosophies, it was really fun and exciting, even though I knew all
along! But I don’t want to reveal anything. It’s big! And there’s a big
cliffhanger.
IGN TV: I’m very excited you guys are doing a second season.
Benz: Yes, we are too.
IGN TV: Do you know when you’re gonna start filming that?
Benz: I think we go back around the end of April/beginning of May.
IGN TV: It’s a great show. Definitely my favorite new show this year.
Benz: They’ve done a really great job of writing;
acting... Just everything’s been so well put together. I love working
for Showtime.
IGN TV: Any hints on if Rita comes to be involved in the Ice Truck Killer story before the end?
Benz: I can’t tell you anything! You’re a reporter! I
mean, I may be blond, but...! [Laughs] No, it’s a very exciting episode
and it’s great television. The last episode will be really, truly
amazing, and you have to tune in.
The Dexter season one finale airs Sunday, December 17th at 10:00 pm ET on Showtime.