James Marsters Reveals Buffy’s Darkest Scene Sent Him Into Therapy

Key Points

• James Marsters says filming Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Season 6 episode “Seeing Red” was the darkest day of his career.
• The controversial storyline involved Spike’s attempted assault on Buffy, which left Marsters emotionally devastated.
• Marsters admitted contractual obligations forced him to participate, calling the experience “personal hell.”
• Sarah Michelle Gellar also refuses to revisit Season 6, saying it was too dark for her character.
• Gellar is set to return in Hulu’s upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot.

Marsters Opens Up About Painful Experience

Actor James Marsters, who played Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has revealed that filming one of the show’s most infamous scenes left him deeply shaken. Speaking on the Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast, Marsters said the Season 6 episode “Seeing Red” sent him into therapy.

“Buffy crushed me,” he admitted. “It’s a problematic scene for a lot of people who love the show. And it was the darkest professional day of my life.”

Contractual Obligations and Emotional Toll

Marsters explained that he had no choice but to film the storyline due to contractual obligations. The actor described the process as “hell,” noting that the most difficult part was performing opposite Sarah Michelle Gellar in such a disturbing context.

“Film acting is that you make it real for yourself,” he said. “You don’t want to film a scene like that and have it suck on top of having to do it.”

He recalled collapsing on the set floor afterward, with Gellar and other cast members checking on him.

Gellar’s Perspective on Season 6

Gellar herself has spoken about the darkness of Season 6. In a recent interview with Vogue, she revealed that while she has revisited earlier seasons with her children, she refuses to let them watch Season 6 until they are much older.

“Even recently, when I’ve seen snippets, I watched some of it to make sure I was remembering things correctly. And then you see that scene with Spike and Buffy. I’m like, there’s no way. To me, it wasn’t what the show was about,” she said.

Gellar added that filming Season 6 was a negative experience, describing it as “too dark” for Buffy’s character.

Context and Legacy

The controversial storyline remains one of television’s most debated moments, highlighting the challenges actors face when navigating disturbing material. For fans, it marked a turning point in the series’ tone, shifting from supernatural adventure to darker explorations of trauma and morality.

What Happens Next?

While Season 6 remains difficult for both Marsters and Gellar to revisit, the franchise is preparing for a new chapter. Gellar is set to return in Hulu’s upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, offering an opportunity to create fresh memories for both cast and fans.