OK! Interview: Julie Benz

This Sunday, CBS will begin airing the Showtime hit, Dexter. The show, which revolves around a serial killer detective played by Michael C. Hall, will get the network TV treatment, but the show's star and Dexter's girlfriend Julie Benz assures OK! that you won't miss much. Her hopes are high and it means that those of you without Showtime can finally get to see what everyone is talking about! We spoke with the former Buffy and Angel star about being an action star, playing the complicated woman and the subtleties of brunettes having more fun!

How do you think the show will translate from Showtime to CBS?

I have not seen the edited version from my understanding they only editied two minutes out. They always cut away before they get to anything graphic anyway. The language needs to be cleaned up of course but as fas as I know the integrity is not comprimised. It's a great show no matter if you take two minutes out or ten minutes out its a great show. That's all gonna be there.

What's it like to work with Michael C. Hall?

He's so brilliant on the show. I was such a huge fan from Six Feet Under actually to th point where my cell phone ring was the song! I'm still amazed I get to work with him. He's a good guy and very serious, but likes to have fun. He's very protective of the story and the actors. He's a great big borther.

On TV you've dated a vampire and serial killer, what is it about those kinds of guys that your characters are attracted to?

I always joke around that I'm attracted to dangerous men. I've just been very lucky where I get on shows where the female characters are very well developed and well written. To have played Darla and she was so epic and had so much history. To go from that to play Rita whose so vulnerabe and damaged it's a complete opposite. I'm attracted to projects where characters aren't perfect. As an actor I'm drawn to dysfunction. Although I wouldn't mind playing a great with a great wardrobe!

You had mentioned you were in Montreal shooting a movie, what was it?

I was shooting The Punisher 2. I'm very athletic and I was an athlete. It was great to be challeneged physically and emotionally. It can be tough being the only woman on a film. I went in to prove I can be just as tough as any of the guys.

You're sort of an action star, would you want to try romantic comedy?

Oh my goodness, yes! I would love to try that out. Comedy is how I started out. I would love to work with Will Ferrell or Ben Stiller and shoot in New York City and play a fashion designer and be the girl.

If you weren't an actor what would you want to do?

There's two things I would maybe do. I love working with kids so I would love to be a teacher or and I was reminded recently that I wanted to be this when I was little which is a baby nurse. One of my friends had a baby and I was at the hospital and I was watching the nurses. I remember I drew a picture of it. It reminded me of that.

Final question, who has more fun: blondes or brunettes?

Oh wow, brunettes...I have enjoyed being a brunette. It makes me feel different. It makes me sexier and more confident, sleaker and sophisticated. As a blonde I feel more vulnerable. I was afraid I was gonna hate because I've been a blonde my whole life. I was afraid I was going to look terrible. I was like 'oh my God, I love it.' I have to go blonde again for Dexter. And I think I'm going to have to go out of that icky stage. I'll just wear a hat.Thankfully I have to be a dirty blonde. Rita might need her roots done a lot this season!

By Jocelyn Vena