Buffy star James Marsters admits controversial scene “sent him to therapy”

Note: The following article contains discussions about rape and sexual assault.

Buffy the Vampire Slayerr star James Marsters has revealed the controversial scene that “sent him into therapy.”

During a performance at the In you In a podcast, the actor, who played the vampire Spike in the Supernatural series, explained why he sought help after filming a “problematic” scene in the sixth season.

In the scene, which takes place during the episode “Seeing Red,” Spike attempts to rape the show's title character, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), after she breaks up with him. Buffy is able to fight him off, but Spike is haunted by his actions.

“Buffy actually sent me to therapy. Buffy destroyed me,” Marsters told moderator Michael Rosenbaum.

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“There was a scene where I was with Buffy, she breaks up with me, and I go and kind of force myself on her, and she kicks me through a wall. It's a problematic scene for a lot of people who like the show. And it's the darkest professional day of my life.”

The actor explained that the attack scene was based on the experiences of one of the writers during her college years.

“She had broken up with her ex and went to live with her ex. She thought if they slept together again everything would be okay,” he said.

“She sort of forced herself and he had to forcibly remove her from the premises and that was one of the most painful memories of that time in her life.”

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He continued, “They thought that since Buffy was a superhero, they could swap the genders because Buffy could fight back very, very easily. They thought they could do it to a man and it would be the same.”

Marsters further explained that he disagreed with the writers' idea and was worried about how viewers would perceive the assault from Buffy's perspective.

“I went to them and said, 'You know, guys, we're giving the audience the opportunity to relive it,'” he explained.

“Everyone who watches Buffy is Buffy, and they're not superheroes, so I do this with every member of the audience, and they're going to react very differently.

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“We got the scene in the can and it was hell. For me it was hell. I did a take, went to the corner of the set and got into the fetal position on the concrete.”

In conversation with The Hollywood ReporterGellar previously admitted that she also found it difficult to watch the episode again, especially with her children.

“I have problems with [season] six. It wasn't appropriate for her at the time and I just don't want to see it again,” she said.

Buffy The series ran for seven seasons between 1997 and 2003 and followed the title character as she battles vampires, demons and other hellish creatures, all with the help of her friends.

The cast of the show also included Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter and Nicholas Brendon.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer can be streamed on Disney+.

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If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can get further information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, which works to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, at his website or call the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Scotland's rape crisis The helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.

Readers in the US are asked to contact RAIN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673.

Sara is an entertainment journalist specialising in television and film. After studying journalism at the University of Roehampton, Sara joined Digital Spy in 2023, writes news (and occasional articles) about all things entertainment. She has also worked for the culture department of The Evening StandardSara is a lover of everything to do with television and film and can get excited about anything, from Bridgerton To The Sorcerer. It can also record entire episodes of New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine And Parks and RecreationIn her free time, Sara enjoys knitting, crocheting and cross-stitching. Sara is also a musical lover, counts Samantha Barks among her heroes and is a loyal fan of Jodie Comer.