Julie Benz Interview

Actor Julie Benz spoke with Back Stage about her audition experiences, and playing Rita on the Showtime series 'Dexter.'
www.backstage.com

[@TacticalSocks]

Damm, even when she's not playing Rita, her voice sounds so "sweet" and calm.

[@DryMyTears]

What a beautiful voice she has, I love hearing it.

[@psychotic22]

she's incredibly beautiful

[@HansjeVdTillaert]

Incredible beautiful!? That's a understatement!! :)

[@Fred-zt5ky]

You don’t go out too often do you? She’s average, maybe slight above, nothing special

[@imcoleyourenot8391]

Fred lol damn

[@jonessoda4me1]

Check her age

[@GregMuniz7]

@@Fred-zt5ky ok Fred let’s see your girlfriend then

[@richardgshields]

She's so amazing, looks, personality, grace, and the list goes on.. heartachingly beautiful.

[@HoundsBane]

Loved her as Rita! She was Dex's lifeline to humanity throughout the first four seasons. I can only imagine what his character will become without her. Can't wait!

[@lucretiamott2838]

I just saw Rita's death.. I'm dead on the inside, even more so now..

[@jeremyf7470]

Kaneki Ken Really? I cheered with joy! bitch ruined 2 seasons worth of the show

[@taco7569]

Bull Frog So the other 2 seasons she was on weren't ruined?

[@ninguem7818]

For me this series died there. It was not to have died that way.

[@camillecruxinger9368]

Why??? She ruined the entire show. HATED the bitch!

[@zeeski7454]

I came to dislike her character but airboat her place in Dexter's world. She kept him grounded in certain ways, everything in the show sucked after. Dexter should of ended after season 5,and dexter should of went off the deep end reflecting his world becoming unraveled

[@razbigranicu]

I like her much more than Hannah. I mean, that contrast between Rita and Dexter and Rita not knowing who Dexter is much more interesting to watch than Dexter and Hannah relationship, not to mention the show was much better when Rita was around.

[@joshuaskywalker3748]

Maybe she half the size of Hannah but Hannah is half the woman as rita

[@Jensenholic]

she is a dream woman. I adore her Such a shame she is no more to see in the show Dexter I miss her a lot

[@virgilgrillone7220]

To me, she is the epitome of beauty. A goddess.

[@coco6997-f7w]

omg i just watched the series 4 season finale i literally cried so much

[@itcomptek]

why do people talk crap about julie's voice????? I think its the most soothing, beautiful, and elegant voice I have ever heard. God bless the man that gets to wake up to her everyday.... By the way KILLING HER ON DEXTER IS FUCKED UP!!!! THE PERSON WHO MADE THAT DICISION SHOULD BE BITCH SLAPED!!! Pobrecita... :(

[@pedi007]

it's good that actors are still passionate about their job and still like to audition :)

[@FlashEarth89]

She did an amazing job as Rita. I cried every time I look at Harrison. I was like, "Oh Rita. Where are you?" Lol

[@camillecruxinger9368]

Omg how could you not hate the manipulative. Selfish, calculating bitch???

[@Fame_Rate]

@@camillecruxinger9368 i wouldnt say rita was manipulative but had very much wife symptoms that are so stupid but pretty normal in our society.

[@joshrandall5297]

I love this woman. Beauty and brains.

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

.... and voice.

[@Tadwinked]

Great interview. Haven't seen Dexter, but she's certainly fantastic on BtVS and Angel. She's such a talented actress.

[@tonyc7301]

Her character got hotter every season. Ruined the show when she was killed and her kids were written out in one episode after Dexter had basically been their father.

[@jakemorgan6149]

She got plastic surgery throughout the show

[@jeremyf7470]

Tony C she was a bitch who ruined the show.

[@tonyc7301]

***** She did become an annoying nag in the last season she was on the show for sure. But the show was not nearly as good after she left. Not even close. The only good season after season four was season seven when Deb found out about Dexter.

[@mightyhartley9078]

Thanks for the spoiler alert. Jesus.

[@jakemorgan6149]

***** stop watching things about a show you haven't finished.

[@movimentosocialeitaliano]

2019- she's incredibly beautiful

[@retrogaminga1072]

Oh Rita!!! For me, the most beloved woman figure in all tv series!!

[@retrogameslover2023]

It's funny how she described Rita started off from being a vulnerable woman to a strong woman. Her Buffy/Angel character Darla was the same too. Darla looked like a vampire easy to vanquish, but later she was more stronger.

[@fredferrer902]

JULIE U R GORGEOUSLY BEAUTIFUL 😍 WOW.

[@lorijohnson3341]

I loved her in Dexter as Rita. It was heartbreaking when she died. She's a great actress. I also loved her in the series "Angel" she also played a small part on the tv show Supernatural. But Rita was a blessing for Dexter and it truly tore him apart when she died. That was so shocking and unexpected. People love the Dexter and Hannah thing but i loved Dexter with Rita. They shouldn't have killed her off😢😢

[@ksmgmedia]

Oh my, shes stunning ❤❤

[@Dmfo357]

She is amazing

[@benjaminwevera.k.azorexxtr389]

she's 44 years old and still looks the same

[@edgar22452]

Benjamin Wever Rare that a white woman can still look this good at 40+

[@leighg6740]

edgar brown not really. It’s relative to how you take care of yourself and your genes. I’m almost 40

[@srujan00]

edgar brown - I take it you've never been to Scandinavia/the Nordic countries. People that live around the equator age faster: Hispanics, Africans....

[@Barnabas45]

Iv'e had 18 year old girlfriends who looked worse!

[@LUKERs1196]

She looks hotter 😍

[@Illuminatta]

I loved her as Darla in Buffy and in Angel.

[@rjgula3259]

I'll never forget her debut as Rita in the first season of Dexter: her hair was a mess and she had no makeup on. And she still looked sexy as hell!! I just could not contain myself when I see Julie Benz. She is soooo damned pretty!!

[@ml0288]

SHE'S ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!

[@ItsShanaynay99]

For anyone who refuses to watch seasons 5&6 because of Rita's unfortunate death at the end of season 4, you're missing out. Seasons 5&6 were phenomonal.

[@hazemsoliman5984]

No I only watched because of relationship entertainment of Dexter and Rita In first four seasons I couldn't even wait to watch the next episode .... Now I don't mind not watching at all

[@i2ottenBannana]

5 is good 6 is terrible lol

[@jakesalamel]

When saw the season 4 final i was so sad... i'm still sad!! No Rita... No Dexter... wtihout her the Show can't go on!! and Julie Benz is so beautiful!

[@ramonreyes7104]

Honestly I thought I was the only one who thought that Idk she just made the show different

[@ИванПетров-е8е6б]

2009 Caaaarl. Its time, when television were very good. Mentalist, DEXTER, House... What a time it was)))))

[@alkyriot]

dexter has grown a lot throughout the seasons regardless of rita's departure.

[@heidimsw]

Okay. This is shallow, but if you were a Dexter fan, and you watched intently, answer this. Did anyone get annoyed with the fact that Rita's character evolved in an unrealistic way both physcially and emotionally? That always bothered me. When we first met Rita in Season 1, she was makeup-less (but still very beautiful). She had dark blonde hair that wasn't really styled, but more just pinned with barrettes, regular-sized boobs, nice normal straight white teeth, and she dressed very conservatively. She was raising two kids on her own, and thought she'd never find a decent man who would want to be with her. She was mousy, nervous and insecure. She was afraid to be intimate with Dexter because she had been raped by her abusive ex-husband. All of this is consistant with a woman who has been through the things she had experienced. Fast forward to season two. Suddenly, in the first episode, I noticed that Rita now has bleached blonde hair with extensions in a wavy blowout. Suddenly had dental porcelain veneers or implants that were very obvious and unnatural in shape and color. She wore quite a bit more makeup, and was overly tan (either fake or real). She also had an obvious boob job and dressed much more provocatively. It seems that Julie made some good money in season 1 and she decided to have some "enhancements" done between seasons. Lol. My point is really NOT to be petty or catty. She was good-looking in season 1 and from then on, too. It was just an unnatural, inconsistent character development, which was annoying because many other characters had realistic changes in behavior and looks that would be consistent with transformations people undergo as a result of experiences. No formerly-abused, anxious, insecure woman would become so confident after being with Dexter for a few months that she'd begin wearing cleavage-bearing dresses or take hours to do her hair and makeup. Rita still should have been the plain, nervous woman she always had been, especially after she erroneously believed that Dex was a drug addict (like her ex), then learned he was sleeping with his gorgeous sponsor. Rita also became more assertive and aggressive. Somehow, for no apparent reason, she gained the confidence to stand up to her ex, to give ultamatiums to Dexter, to discipline her kids, to start a new job, and to move to an upperclass neighborhood and fit in there by wearing sundresses and floppy hats, and to befriend the very wealthy wife of the city's ADA. She did all this, in high heels and perfectly coifed hair and lots of makeup every day, after giving birth, doing 2:00 a.m. feedings, raising three children, managing a real estate career and a huge home, all while her husband would disappear for hours on end in the middle of the night and was never around to help with the day to day chores. It's somewhat realistic that she may have gained self-confidence by getting Dexter to marry her, but the rest of Rita's physical and personality transformation was outrageous.

[@camillecruxinger9368]

Jealous much? You apparently didnt age well and let yourself go to seed after childbirth so you resent Rita (Julie) who chose to beautify and enhance her looks. Granted, I hated her character, but dont you hate a woman because she chooses to remain beautiful!

[@daltonhunter4748]

heidimsw I’m not even gonna read all that but that girl in dexter is without doubt the best woman figure . She is sweet she is pretty and I envy dexter because of her.. I would choose Rita over bein rich any day of the week. It’s a shame that girls these days can no where compare to her . All the pretty ones are judgmentAl cheating whores these days. All I’m saying is if you want your man to fall in love with you and you be a good wife or girl friend jus watch dexter and take notes on how Rita does it . She won me over and I don’t even do that with tv stars like for real

[@danr8267]

@@daltonhunter4748 its a fucking show. Its scripted you idiot

[@zeeski7454]

I agree, I can understand her character eventually having changed in confidence and demeanor, but from season 1 to season 2 she changed so much that it wasn't the same character anymore. The show stopped being consistent also, in season 5 when dexter was having flash backs to meeting Rita she wasn't the shy woman that she was in the first season, but rather the character she eventually changed into... That was just dumb

[@zeeski7454]

@@camillecruxinger9368 you can't deal with some criticism of a TV shows that's deserved so you insult and attack this person. Grow up

[@heathermwilson21]

She is so beautiful!!! I can't believe what happened on the Season 4 Finale!!!!

[@Bellc_Art]

HERMOSA, HERMOSA, HERMOSA JULIE ♥

[@ArcticChonk]

Mind is blown by the beauty!

[@BakingPizza]

I was on a plane with her from Toronto to LA back in May. I was speechless.

[@Syllvur]

So amazing to know that she and my mom are best friends, such an amazing woman

[@Athenian888]

It is the show's huge loss(Dexter)that they took her off.She is amazing.

[@ralfegger6719]

She is awesome and sooooo sweet

[@giftbuddies7476]

I love this lady 🥰

[@Queen.Sindel]

I lost interest when they fukking killed her character,,, its just not balance anymore!

[@ashleymaldonado2943]

violet erin right!!! Exactly how I feel. I just watched it and I feel hollow and depressed now and completely unbalanced 😭😭😭😭

[@nanciabutt2828]

i am thankful i am not the only one.. i just watched it

[@crowncliff]

I stopped watching after that.

[@KingOfCorgis339]

First Darla, then Rita, and so many others. She is one of my favorite.

[@tbone9157]

Julie is so beautiful and sexy. I have enjoyed everything I have seen her in. Good actress and very nice to look at. I hope she continues to stay busy and do well.

[@MadHattery101]

I think one of the coolest days of my life was finding out my teacher is her cousin. Explains why I always thought they looked alike. Now I just have to become best friends with my teacher so I can meet Julie! >:D

[@dailyderpin188]

Did you ever do it?

[@Yayomeow]

I love her hair in this interview.

[@dhaniepsalm6618]

I cried for her 😭😭

[@SlimShady.1990]

RITA IS THE REASON I WATCHED DEXTER DAMN IT. I FELL IN LOVE. i fucking love you

[@fma7samuraichamploo]

I freaking love Julie Benz

[@fernycastillo619]

season 4 is still my favorite

[@PassionCreativity]

I just finished season 4 , and i can can say that i already miss rita , i still can't believe. I wonder if the remaining 4 season will be worth to watch without rita ...:(

[@ninguem7818]

The series sucks from the moment she died

[@PemaGuilavoguiTV]

@ChristinkaLLL how do you make the hearts or type idk can you please tell me like reply back to this.

[@LarryLeeMoniz]

Julie did a fantastic job on Dexter.

[@GRIVOGIA]

I love you Julie Benz!

[@jupena]

I miss Dexter!! she was one of my favorite characters... Why Rita Why??

[@luisavina4831]

Good lord she is gorgeous 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@Rino9996]

Wow, she's flawless!

[@mollers92]

I wish this was a back room casting interview.

[@ashimdewan1941]

Your so beautiful..GOD BLESS U

[@alteredlame666]

Gorgeous woman. Some people complain about her being annoying, others its Jennifer Carpenter. I personally like em both. I know for certain the first two seasons would have been less without her, so I am glad she was a part of the show. She had some great moments.

[@YourDeath311]

Julie benz is defintly my type of woman.Even in Buffy show she was my favourite

[@UHFStation1]

Her character was a good one, but I always found it strange how much her character seemed to control the relationship with Dexter inspite of being a woman who was abused in past relationships. I would have thought she'd be more passive and less particular about the template of what a relationship should look like.

[@metalgear1826]

@iRHAPEzombiies she was in buffy? who did she play?

[@daltonhunter4748]

I never fell in love with a person on tv. This girl is beautiful af and her role as Rita on dexter is like the perfect example of how a girl should be as a wife I surely envy dexter on because of her. Good job Julie 🙂

[@navyseal1689]

This might be late but this is literally what i am. Never been so interested and fall in love with someone in tv, shes the first one, the perfect example of how a wife should be

[@gonnabeok.]

Why is the picture not filling the screen.?all I can see is her shoulder.

[@WatchThisEveryDay]

Perfect ending for a series finale. i wish they kept her on til the end

[@elessandrobaia4259]

Rita's death was the most shocking and painful thing to watch in a series. very strong!

[@1870fabiano]

I think she's beautiful. I appreciate her acting.

[@Vincentiuz]

She's an very good actor

[@wolfdreamer9]

I like her character on Desperate Housewives. I never watched her on Dexter. But the character Robin she plays is Awesome!

[@chickennugget1027]

in the first season of dexter, she wouldn't really get dressed up and always looked depressed (which she was) and then as the seasons went on, she started to get really beautiful and dressed up and wore makeup. she's honestly so gorgeous in real life! i miss her character so much! why'd she have to die???

[@Amotaraso]

Such a lovely woman

[@MaproXiZ]

I love you Julie...

[@itcentertainment]

"I think finding that balance between her fragility in Season 1 and her strength in Season 4...without losing her vulnerabilities." Another momentous blonde quote.

[@ChristinkaLLL]

I love Julie ♥♥♥♥♥♥

[@liquidponycannon]

She's funny! I like her, in the show and out of it! :)

[@theprolificnetwork4670]

Discovered her in the movie the Brothers

[@headsmoking]

julie .......i love you

[@george.8888]

YESSS!!! YESSS!!! The last part of your comment is zoo true man!)))

[@xxlCortez]

So, how did she get the role if she left thw audition?

[@brucekentallen]

SO... MUCH.. BEAUTY... HEAD... EXPLODING... IMINENT

[@JakeKoenig]

It should be illegal to be that beautiful, intelligent, and relatable all at the same time. Like come on Julie, stop hogging ALL of the best human traits.

[@lorenzofusco91]

she's beautiful

[@SomeOutsider]

Julie's eyes... :O Gorgeous.

[@Scurge237]

shes amazingly beautiful jesus christ

[@davidvarga2916]

She needs to add her voice to a text to voice converter. I would convert my ebooks and listen to em.

[@misteltein2552]

I miss you Rita...

[@jabajaba15]

A perfect woman, literally

[@eduardocrestani2454]

What a beautiful woman

[@pieisgood1229]

I barely even recognized her on Dexter. I had only seen her as darla from Buffy and angel

[@Katoi5]

Hard to believe now, but she was in the very first scene in the very first episode of Buffy.

[@irenildopereira6272]

E Eu aqui apaixonado por ela !😍

[@rachiapetti]

She is very beautyfull

[@invertminichannel]

@catcobbler cause of nikki benz?

[@burnikshrapnel]

i almost forgot she's darla=) great actress for two great shows. dexter is the coolest show there is.

[@lucyk310]

for some reason in season 2 she became my favourite character and she just seemed to get hotter and then she was killed. ughhh. i actually miss her!!! lol

[@Timcookie321]

she was great in rambo

[@pedi007]

maybe you didn't recognize yourself in the character of rita anymore towards the ending? (a wild guess)

[@babygnome215]

once rita died a piece of the show died with her

[@EthioMust]

I remember this lady in 1990th empire tv series she was beautiful and hot young

[@x360rampagex]

@ESBA20002009 I have not been able to watch Dexter since they Rita was killed, I just can't. I've tried; I'm watching the season 6 finally tomorrow, but I have only seen 3 episodes since. It just isn't the same!