'Buffy' Alums Unite for the BBC and Dark Horse

[Scott W. Davis]

If there are unsung heroes in the Buffyverse, then Amber Benson and Christopher Golden are towards the top of the list. Now, it looks like they are combining their forces and helming a new project for BBC Cult. Before I ramble on, here's the skinny straight from the :

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"Following the success of our first two internet dramas, BBC Cult is shortly to launch GHOSTS OF ALBION, a thrilling animated horror/adventure laced with dark humour.



To ensure the serial has plenty of bite, we have enlisted two key figures from BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER to write and direct the webcast.



Amber Benson, better known to Cult fans as Tara the witch, and Christopher Golden, a prolific writer of BUFFY and ANGEL novels, have developed a 19th Century tale of demons, vampires and, ghosts.



On the death of their grandfather, a famed stage magician, a brother and sister discover that not all of the old man's magic was performed on a stage. The siblings find themselves the inheritors of an extraordinary legacy, and must bear the burden and the sorcerous power that makes them the mystical guardians of early 19th century England.



Upcoming talents Jasmine Hyde and Rory Kinnear will play siblings Tamara and William, supported by a host of talent including Leslie Phillips, Emma Samms and Anthony Daniels.



'Chris Golden and I are super excited to be writing GHOSTS OF ALBION,' revealed Amber, who, in addition to BUFFY recently directed her own award-winning independent film, CHANCE. 'It's such an honour to be working with the BBC.'



'I can't wait until people get to see GHOSTS OF ALBION,' adds Golden, the L.A. Times best-selling author of such novels as THE FERRYMAN, STRANGEWOOD, PROWLERS and the BODY OF EVIDENCE series of teen thrillers. 'Amber and I had such a blast writing it. Ghosts, demons, 19th century London... what more could any storyteller ask for.'



The GHOSTS OF ALBION site will launch on March 27th, with the first of five animated episodes visualised by the acclaimed Cosgrove Hall team. Visitors to the web site will also be able to explore and participate in an expanded online world."

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[I 200, 300 wildphoto I]Great news, as far as I'm concerned. Amber Benson was one of my favorite cast members from BUFFY and I never felt she got her due, at least not until the musical episode. I've been anxiously anticipating her next project, while I try to dig up a copy of that CHANCE film. The BBC understated her involvement in that one - she wrote, produced, directed and starred in the indie film.



Christopher Golden will bring plenty of fantasy and action to the table. He has written some of the greatest BUFFY books, including THE WATCHER'S GUIDE and THE MONSTER BOOK. Golden first shot onto the scene with his SHADOWS trilogy, an ultra-bloody series featuring a war between vampire sects, historical figures and an evil version of the Roman Catholic church.



This is not the first time Benson and Golden have worked together. They penned a one-shot Willow and Tara story for in 2001, called "WannaBlessedBe." It was such a success that Benson and Golden have collaborated again on a two issue Willow/Tara arc called "Wilderness" in 2002.



If you missed any of these, pick up the "Wilderness" trade paperback. It will feature the entire "Wilderness" saga, the "WannaBlessedBe" one-shot and the Willow and Tara comic strips. It will be published on April 23, 2003.

[JohnShaft]

I didn't know Amber was so talented.

Bad news is the rumours that Buffy is about to end are looking more likely by the week. What with Angel set to appear if they do a finale and everything else I've heard. Will really miss this show once it's gone. Heaven forbid Angel doesn't continue too. :cry:
I really think Buffy could continue for a while yet. While it might be a bit of a reach to have someone like Faith take over I think it's better than the alternative of axing it because SMG has had enough.

I'm also going to look into this Shadows series written by Golden. It sounds like just my thing. Thanks for the pointer.

[Scott W. Davis]

Oh, Amber Benson is a real sweetie in my book. Once found a UK audio interview done right after the "Hush" episode where she became a major player ( remember, the mostly silent ep with the Gentlemen? ). Accompanying it was a video interview with her at a convention and she had on fake ( as opposed to real? ) devil horns. I was impressed from the start since she really seemed to have high spirits and a good head on her shoulders.

Her BUFFY highpoint I think was the musical ep, "Once More with Feeling." The only one who could compete with her voice was Anthony Stewart Head and he's got decades in the musical theatre. Truly geeky fans like myself, who are comfortable in their sexuality, actually bought the "original cast recording" CD. :blush:

Christopher Golden is an ace writer too. Surprisingly, the BUFFY and ANGEL novelizations are not strictly for younger readers. Granted, it aint GRAVITY'S RAINBOW by any stretch, but they are fun reads to spend a few days with. Very action packed with some epic battles and sometimes, a bit more blood than they usually get away with ( Well, maybe not ANGEL. You haven't seen it yet but season 4 is fucking brutal! ).

As for the Shadows series, it's very far-fetched. The historical figures they ressurect for the vamp war floors you. But I would reccomend sticking to the first two in the series - OF SAINTS AND SHADOWS and ANGEL WINGS AND DEVIL HEARTS. The third book, OF MASQUES AND MARTYERS was dissapointing I thought, especially the clumsy ending.

It's been pretty much a sure thing that BUFFY is ending this season. And who knows? Maybe it's time. Don't get me wrong, I love the show. It's the best thing on TV right now and possibly ever in my opinion. But I've seen other quality shows like MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATRE 3000 and especially THE X-FILES lose the plot in later seasons. Maybe it's time they quit while they were ahead. But hey, maybe I'm wrong. The great thing about the show is that it never ceases to surprise me.

If not, I wonder what direction it will go in. A spin-off with FAITH or even DAWN would be fine. I'm still waiting for that old proposed GILES mini for the BBC. Hell, I dug Joss Whedon's FIREFLY but that bombed when FOX fumbled the ball in marketing it.

I do think ANGEL has at least one more good season left in it. Although I will say one cast member that popped up towards the end of season three ( not sure where you are over in the UK ) really gets on my nerves.

See what happens when I start talking about this show? I just can't stop! :wacko:

[JohnShaft]

We're at the beginning of Season 4 here now. I've only seen the first episode.

I guess the character that gets on your nerves is Connor? I guess I'm sort of apathetic towards him.

I agree there's at least one Season left in it. I think even two. One more would be 5 series and even that is short by modern standards (Star-Trek, Buffy). I don't see a whole lot of point in scrapping it now. It doesn't feel complete to me, and I don't think it will at the end of #4.
But it really does need to do more than just keep the wheels spinning. I'd like it if they did some genuine 'Angel in the Apocalypse' scenario. I've always loved the whoe 'End of the World' thing. But they'd have to make a genuine fist at it so it didn't seem like 'Angel/Buffy prevents the Apocalypse for the Nth time'.
If they're doing away with it why not go out with a blaze of glory?

One thing that really puzzled me with Angel was the death of Doyle.
I thought the character (and actor) we're pretty good. And at least a little different. They grew on me.
When Doyle died I thought for a while it was just a 'temporary death' ala Angel, but no. And then, later, life mirrored art...

When Wesley stepped straight into his shoes it seemed like the take was "Sorry but we don't need you anymore. We prefer this English guy". Buffy/Angel has more than a touch of Anglophilia I think. But they had a genuine Irishman in the first place. Ain't that good enough? <_<

Until his death I actually had no idea than Glenn Quinn was Becky's husband from Roseanne either.
Overall I can't help but feel he got the shaft. To think how one decision like that can have major repercussions... He could still be in it now.
To die at 32 (my exact age) when he had so recently had so much going for him seems like such a waste. :erm:
I know as Dr. Phil says "You are responsible for you" ;)

But I guess I'm just feeling melancholy. :D

OK. Now I'm rambling! :wacko:

[Scott W. Davis]

Connor is indeed the character that is getting on my nerves. Trust me, it won't take too long for you to see that beyond just being just an alienated teen, he's a whiney and self-absorbed little bitch ( How's that for a run-on sentence? ).

I actually did not get into BUFFY until season 5 and ANGEL midway through season 2 ( Of course, after that I gobbled up everything in sight, costing me many sleepless nights and a severe drain on my checking account ). So, with the first season finally being released on R1 DVD, I am just now familiarizing myself with the work of Glenn Quinn. Yes, very sad. He showed a lot of personality.

Oh, and if you're looking for apocalyptic stuff, I think you will be happy with season four. B)

[Scott W. Davis]

You should also look at my latest news story on BUFFY for the whole shocking truth of what's going on there, John. :(

[JohnShaft]

Originally posted by Scott W. Davis@Feb 26 2003, 07:22 PM
Oh, and if you're looking for apocalyptic stuff, I think you will be happy with season four. B)
You were right on this one Scott.

* SPOILERS *
The appearance of 'the Beast' and whole 'sky raining fire' was excellent. Hit just the right note of 'World coming to an end', especially for the middle of the series.
The only dissapointment is that I think I pretty much figured out how the whole thing turns out. The what, the who, and the why. Especially when 'the Beast' made the remark to Angel before he storms off and sees something he shouldn't.
Still even if I'm right it will be fun seeing it.

Swear I want a serious that takes place AFTER the end of the world though... :devil: