The WB: Did you have any clue when starting out that you'd make it big on Buffy?
James: Nope. When I got the part, Spike was supposed to die after three to five episodes. In fact, I think the original plan had me down as Angel's first victim. They told me, 'Look, we're going to bring you on for three to five episodes.' Then we hit number six and just kept going.

The WB: What is it about Spike that makes him so irresistible?
James: He's a total contradiction. Going into it, Spike was really sweet to his girl, Drusilla. He really loved her and treated her like a queen. But, he's also a complete psychopathic demon from hell. He's the kind of guy who's inexplicable and interesting at the same time.

The WB: What about Spike's wicked wit? Do you ever throw in your own lines?
James: No way! We follow those scripts down to every last comma and conjunction. The writing on the show is exceptional, really great stuff, but that wouldn't be the case if an actor stepped in and changed it. The writers spend a lot of time compacting the language so that it will sing, and if we don't follow it exactly, it would blow the whole deal.

The WB: Does the same go for Spike's way with females?
James: I wish I could blame Spike's allure on my performances, but I can't. I mean, don't get me wrong, I am really happy with the work that I do, but what I contribute is really a small part of the big picture.

The WB: What's your favorite Spike moment so far?
James: That's a tough one. Every episode has been so great this season. But, if I had to choose, I'd have to say the fight scene in episode seven. That's the one where Spike is fighting Buffy while having flashbacks to a fight that took place in the past. That's when we find out that he used to be an absolute nerd. Doing that episode was both fun and terrifying at the same time. It's that kind of challenge. Trying something that is ultimately the scariest thing I've ever done is what made me get involved in acting in the first place.

The WB: Who do you like better: Spike the badass or Spike the sweetheart?
James: It's hard to say, man. Ask any actor what his ideal job would be, and hands down it's going to be the character who's all about kissing babes and killing guys. Ask the guys on Ally McBeal what they really want. They want to beat up some guy and take the girl. So that aspect of Spike is really fun. But what Joss [Whedon] is doing right now with the character is far more complex and interesting than that. So in the end, I'll have a whole lot more than just smashing heads into walls to be proud of.

The WB: Do you and the other cast members have as much fun off-camera as you seem to have on?
James: Oh yeah. Once a week, a bunch of us from Buffy and Angel get together and read Shakespeare. We just finished Othello, which was brilliant. After we're done with that, we usually just kick back. Maybe do some drinking and singing around the piano. I'll bring out my guitar, and we'll start rocking and dancing-it's a damn good time.

The WB: Do you have any other acting projects in the works?
James: Not yet. I recently had to turn down a role in a small film because of scheduling problems with Buffy, which is totally fine by me. That's what I would call a golden problem. The truth is that I'm in a great position right now. I'm totally excited and interested in what is happening to Spike this season. Basically, I'm having the time of my life.

Copyright 2001 The WB Television Network