10 Unpleasant Facts About The Making Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer

‘Seeing Red’ is one of the most talked-about episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and features the infamous bathroom scene, which involves Spike trying to sexually assault Buffy.

This was a difficult scene for both actors, but James Marsters simply hated it:

“It was the hardest day of my professional life. I was curled up in a fetal position in between takes. I can’t watch scenes like that. I choose not to. I won’t go to a movie that has something like that.”

Despite how much he hated the process, Marsters has also defended this controversial scene, arguing it was a necessary part of the season, as the audience needed to acknowledge that Spike – despite his rockstar appearance and charming wit – was still an evil man. This notorious scene was also a watershed moment, prompting Spike to leave Sunnydale and rediscover his soul.

Given what he went through during the making of 'Seeing Red', Marsters has said he will never film a sexual assault ever again.