Charisma Carpenter: On Sex Scenes, Babies and Love Triangles That Make You Go, Ewwww
By Kristin Veitch, E!Online
February 28, 2003

How have you been holding up with taping during your pregnancy?
It’s been interesting. I think the pregnancy could’ve been different if I wasn’t working, but then I’m glad I’ve had work to stay distracted. I feel more grounded and invigorated.

Is it a boy?
It is.

Will you be on for the remainder of episodes?
Yeah. There are only two shows left after I have the baby. Then I have a three-month hiatus.

Your love triangle is creeping me out.
Some people are really disturbed that Cordelia slept with Connor. I hear a lot of “ewwww,” and I agree. It is ewwwy. Only something deplorable and devilish and truly evil could do something so horrid.

How is it playing that evil side?
It’s a blast. The other day I had a lot of scenes with Connor, and I was working him over big time. We were working all day on second unit. One of the scenes was I’m vulnerable, I’m scared and then I go into this rage like, “You were flirting with Faith! I thought you would be a better father!” All these different manipulations and button-pushing, and it’s sooo much fun. I physically push him, and it’s pretty intense stuff.

What can you tell us about Cordelia’s future?
There are some really great sex scenes coming up. Pretty great stuff with Angel.

Really? How was that?
I felt more uncomfortable with Connor, because we haven’t had seven years to bond, so I don’t know him. And I’m pregnant, so I’m more abundant than usual–there’s more to maneuver around. With David, I don’t know, it’s kind of ironic. It was very comfortable. I was at ease. I think we have great chemistry–we sync up really well. We’re there.

You’re more physical now on camera. What’s it like being a badass?
It’s my favorite part. I’ve been begging for it for so long. When we were on Buffy, the first three seasons I didn’t do anything. I was always the damsel in distress, so by the third season, I’m like, “Joss [Whedon], please let me stake the vampire…let me get a little tough!” Three years on a Hellmouth, I should know how to take care of myself. He told me later that because I was so nice to him that day and he was having a bad day, he let me stake the vampire.

If it were up to you, how long would Angel go on?
A lot longer. Storyline-wise, I feel like we’re just getting into the thick of it. We’re just now hitting our stride. We have interesting characters coming in, and it’s taking on a depth I never saw in Buffy. I don’t know if that’s because it doesn’t center around a school environment…Not sure what about the dynamic is different, but it is. It feels more mature, more compelling.