STILL GOING STRONG

Sarah Michelle Gellar reveals why she loves playing a formidable woman in new Dexter prequel - and shares her thoughts on a Buffy comeback

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She's known for playing strong women such as 1990s heroine Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and now, Sarah Michelle Gellar returns to TV screens as another formidable female in the prequel to Dexter.

American actress Sarah, 47, who shot to fame as Buffy Summers in 1997 and went on to star in hit films I Know What You Did Last Summer and Scream 2, plays forensic scientist Tanya Martin in Dexter: Original Sin.

Here, the star - who has two children, Charlotte, 15, and Rocky, 12, with her actor husband Freddie Prinze Jr opens up about her new role and her favourite characters from the past.

Sarah, what can you tell us about your latest character?

"I love her. I'm used to playing formidable women and Tanya is about as formidable as they come.

"She has to be, because this is the 1990s and she's running the forensic science department at Miami Metro Police Department as pretty much the only woman."

How would you describe Dexter: Original Sin?

"We're in the 1990s in Miami with Dexter Morgan, a young man who's yet to become the killer we all know him to be later in his story. There are so many great characters - ones you may know and some who are new.

"This is also a show about family: about Dexter's family and his upbringing, and about the Miami Metro family, too."