Charisma Carpenter

Charisma Carpenter is best known from her popular stints as Cordelia Chase on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off, Angel. What’s she been doing since both vampire shows bit the dust? Last year, she gave birth to son Donovan Charles (who’s now 16 months old). Then this June, the 34-year-old Hollywood mom reclaimed her va-va-voom by posing nearly nude in Playboy. She’ll continue her hot streak by guest-starring as a sexy seer on Charmed in at least two episodes. (Her first appearance airs Sept. 26.) Last week, TV Guide Online visited the Charmed set to watch Carpenter torment costar Brian Krause (Leo) with her spooky predictions. We also stole some time to dish between scenes.

TV Guide Online: David Boreanaz recently told TV Guide he’d be willing to do Angel feature films, but not TV-movies. Could Cordy make a return from the dead someday?

Charisma Carpenter: I read that snippet about David in TV Guide! You know, I’m not interested. Not because of David or anyone I worked with. I think we’re all just done. I don’t think my fans should be offended because they’re not Angel or Buffy specific. They’ve proven over time that they’ll follow me no matter what I do, so I’m not afraid of taking anything away from them and I hope they wouldn’t feel that way.

TVGO: Cordy was psychic on Angel. Now you’re a seer. What’s up with these ESP roles?

Carpenter: Another psychic! At least I’m not in a coma on this show. They’re both sassy girls, but this character is more of a temptress than a smartass. She’s toying with Leo.

TVGO: Does your character have a name?

Carpenter: She’s just "Seer." We’ll see if we see more of her before she gets a name!

TVGO: Might you do more than two episodes?

Carpenter: I’m happy to do more. It would depend on whether my pilot is picked up. I’m thrilled to be here because I have a relationship with Holly Marie Combs (Piper). We did my ABC Family movie See Jane Date together and we’re both new moms. It’s also interesting to be back doing this supernatural genre. I know it and it’s familiar.

TVGO: How about this pilot of yours?

Carpenter: It’s a possible midseason replacement sitcom for UPN. It was called Play Nice, but now it’s called Like Cats and Dogs. I’m the girl on the show, and it’s about my life with my fun-loving brother [played by Canadian actor Tyler Labine]. I’m an uptight lawyer and he comes to live with me and my houseful of dogs.

TVGO: If the sitcom didn’t happen, wouldn’t it be fun to join Charmed as a regular?

Carpenter: I think working with girls would be great, especially since Holly’s a mom and a producer. The only reason I would hesitate is that the shooting schedule of a one-hour drama is a lot for a new mom. It’d be great to work with her, ’cause she gets it. So yeah, I’d definitely be open to talking about it.

TVGO: By the way, many mothers might be envious of your having a baby and then doing Playboy!

Carpenter: That came about because I had a baby and got so bloody fat. I gained 50 pounds. I needed something to motivate me to get my butt in shape. It’s vanity, really. Right after I signed the deal with Playboy, I did hard-core training for 20 days.

TVGO: Any hesitation about posing for the lad mag?

Carpenter: It was all very agreeable and they allowed my husband to be on set to make sure everything was cool, and it was. I’m really pleased with the photos and I don’t have any regrets. I expect there are people out there who would hope that I would. They may judge me, but I’m not feeling regret right now. I guess I’ll cross that bridge with my son when I come to it....

TVGO: You appeared topless, but the photos weren’t raunchy.

Carpenter: I felt good about it. I figured if I did films, I’d have to show my breasts at some point. Why not take beautiful pictures for posterity while I’m young?

TVGO: Your midriff-baring outfit on Charmed will be memorable, too!

Carpenter: The Seer’s like a jezebel. Women on Charmed have to look hot. That’s the sense I’m getting. Every single one of [the witches] are notoriously sexy women!