Sarah Michelle Gellar Reached Out to Julie Benz for New Role in Dexter: Original Sin

Sarah Michelle Gellar is bridging the worlds of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dexter in a way fans didn’t see coming. The 47-year-old actress, now starring in Dexter: Original Sin as Tanya Martin, revealed she personally reached out to former co-star Julie Benz about taking on a role in the new prequel series. Benz famously played Darla on Buffy and its spin-off Angel before captivating audiences as Rita Morgan in the original Dexter series.

In an interview with People, Gellar shared the backstory of their reunion, saying, “We talked about it a lot. She was Dexter’s girlfriend. She was Rita and she was the mother of Harrison—Dexter’s child.” Gellar added that Benz is “very excited about it,” hinting at the actress’s enthusiasm for returning to the Dexter universe.

Julie Benz’s portrayal of Darla remains iconic among Buffy fans, as she appeared throughout the first, second, and fifth seasons of the show before transitioning to Angel. Two years after leaving the vampire-filled world behind, she took on the critically acclaimed role of Rita in Dexter, cementing her status as a versatile TV powerhouse.

While fans are eagerly awaiting more details about Benz’s involvement in Dexter: Original Sin, this news is already fueling nostalgia for two legendary series. Meanwhile, Gellar teased the possibility of something new for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, leaving fans of the cult classic hopeful for more from the beloved Slayer.