Slayerfest 98 is a queer pop culture podcast originally focused on Buffy The Vampire Slayer and its spin-off series Angel. This long-running podcast series has also moved on to discuss other popular media franchises including Marvel.
Recently Amber and Christopher joined three of the series regular hosts Ian Carlos Crawford, Ryan Houlihan, and Zachary Patton Garcia to discuss Slayers: A Buffyverse Story.
If this is the first time you’re hearing about Slayers: A Buffyverse Story then here is what you need to know. It's an Audible Original Podcast, this is an immersive audio drama that is told over nine episodes. The story is set thirteen years after ‘Chosen’ the final ever episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Spike has infiltrated the demon underworld in Los Angeles convincing them that he has returned to his old ways. That is until he runs into Indira Nunnally (Laya DeLeon Hays) a young Slayer who has very recently received her powers. Now Spike has got to act fast, both to save what's left of his cover story and find a Watcher to guide Indira.
What's fast becoming a difficult and dangerous night takes a shocking turn when Cordelia Chase track Spike down. Except she's not the Cordelia that long time Buffy and Angel fans are familiar with, she is from a parallel universe. A world where Buffy Summers never existed and Cordelia is the one and only Slayer. Cordelia needs Spike’s help as her world is in danger from none other than Spike’s former paramore Drusilla and that's only the start of this gripping adventure.
What makes this project even more exciting is that a number of Buffy’s original cast have returned to reprise there much love roles. Including Amber who as well as co-writing and co-directing, plays Tara Maclay for the first time in more than twenty years.
In this interview we hear how Slayers all started, how it developed and the process of writing the nine episodes in season one. Amber talks honestly about how she herself and indeed some of her fellow cast members were anxious about returning to the Buffyverse for a variety of different reasons. She and Christopher highlight how recording the series together in the studio helped them create a safe space for the cast and crew. Co-director Kc Wayland’s sound design also creates an immersive audio drama that draws its audience back into the world of the Buffyverse.
Amber and Christopher talk about what it was like to work with the cast again including a new role for the character of Cordelia. As well as the impact of Laya DeLeon Hays’ character Indira Nunnally. Not just the importance of her character but the role she plays in providing the audience with all important Buffy the Vampire Slayer backstory and mythology so if you're new to the Buffyverse you can jump right in and enjoy this new experience together with long-time fans.
Christopher also takes time to highlight Amber’s work in making this happen in that she helped change the conversation around Buffy from negative back to positive. Amber as always remained incredibly modest and is quick to praise Christopher too.
The interview is over one hour forty minutes long and is an incredibly detailed discussion around Slayers: A Buffyverse Story. There is a whole lot more that I could highlight but I don’t want to give it all away and I really do encourage you to listen to this entertaining and interesting discussion. I've embedded the video below because this interview isn't just a regular podcast, everyone appears via webcam which I feel really adds something to the conversation.
The video contains spoilers for the series however the point in the video where spoilers are talked about is clearly indicated by the hosts.
Joe
Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with Slayers: A Buffyverse Story we own nothing. All rights belong to Amber Benson, Christopher Golden Audible, 20th Century Fox and all other rights holders. We are not connected in anywhere with the Slayerfest 98 podcast. This post is for informational purposes only we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting podcast featuring Amber Benson.