Julie Benz

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 2 (UPI) — Former "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" actress Julie Benz is furthering her connection to the dark side of entertainment with the new U.S. TV series, "Dexter."

The 34-year-old actress — who played an evil vampire on both "Buffy" and its spin-off series "Angel" — is taking on the role of the abused girlfriend of a serial killer in the new Showtime original series "Dexter," said Us Weekly magazine.

The new series, which premiered on the cable network Oct. 1, focuses on a forensics expert who spends his nights apart from his girlfriend, played by Benz, killing other serial killers.

"Rita is a victim of domestic violence," Benz said of her newest role. "Prior to dating Dexter, she was in a 10-year relationship with her very abusive, crack addict ex-husband, and they have two small children from that marriage."

Us Weekly said Benz confessed that while her TV career has followed a sinister theme, she never actively pursues such roles — she just finds herself presented with them after her tenure with "Buffy" and "Angel."