Category: Writer

A Family Christmas Gift - Written By Amber Benson To Be Shown on UK TV Next Week

11/26/2023

Exciting news for fans in the UK. A Family Christmas Gift written by Amber will be shown on UK TV four times next week. This fun festive movie will be shown on Christmas 24 and sister channel Christmas 24+.

Amber wrote the original story for A Family Christmas Gift and she also co-wrote the teleplay with Alex Wright. The movie was written for the Hallmark Network in the USA.

A Family Christmas Gift centres on Amber, a busy New York-based executive played by Holly Robinson Pete. She is persuaded by her Aunt Dora (Patti Labelle) to join her for Christmas in Colorado and help plan the annual Christmas concert.

Holly Robinson Pete's name may be familiar to Amber fans as she plays the role of Billie Blessings in Morning Show Mysteries. Amber wrote the script/teleplay for A Murder In Mind and Death By Design two movies in the popular series in 2019.

A Family Christmas Gift will be shown at:
11pm on Monday the 27th of November
10am on Tuesday the 28th of November on (Christmas 24+)
5pm on Wednesday the 29th of November (and again at 8pm on Christmas 24+)

Unfortunately, Christmas 24 doesn't seem to have a reliable online presence. I have Sky so I can confirm Christmas 24 is on Sky Channel 325 and Christmas 24+ is on 326.

As far as I'm currently aware, Christmas 24 and Christmas 24+ are still available on the Virgin Media and BT TV Platforms. I don't have up-to-date channel numbers for these platforms. I would advise people to check their onscreen TV Guides for details.

I have embedded a trailer and an extended a sneak peek clip of A Family Christmas Gift. There are some spoilers so if you would rather wait-and-see what Amber has in store for us then I'd avoid it for now. I just wanted to place it here in case there are some fans who would like to see more.

This is a fun family film and a real treat for Amber fans I am excited that fans in the UK will get another chance to see it. A big thank you to my friend and fellow Amber fan Samantha for giving me a heads up about these showings.

Joe

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV is not involved in any way with the writing or production of A Family Christmas Gift. All rights belong to Amber Benson and Hallmark. This post is for informational purposes only. We are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting movie written by Amber Benson.

Amber Benson and Charisma Carpenter Interviewed by avclub.com About Slayers: A Buffyverse Story

11/4/2023

Amber Benson who co-wrote, co-directed and also starred alongside Charisma Carpenter in Slayers: A Buffyverse Story were recently interviewed by avclub.com.

Amber discusses what inspired her to co-write, co-direct and star in Slayers: A Buffyverse Story an immersive audio drama set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Amber also talks about how the cast came together. She and Charisma also reveal their favourite podcasts and what they're currently listening to.

For more information on this exciting new Audible Original series check out a previous post that I wrote click here.

This is a short interview but it's a lot of fun, to watch simply click the link below:

https://www.avclub.com/amber-benson-and-charisma-carpenter-on-slayers-a-buffy-1850943444

Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is out now via Audible in the UK, USA and Australia

Joe

Disclaimer Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with Slayers: A Buffyverse Story, avclub.com, Audible or Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We own nothing all rights belong to the respective copyright holders. This post is for informational purposes only we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting interview featuring Amber Benson.

Amber Benson and Charisma Carpenter Discuss Slayers: A Buffyverse Story with io9

11/4/2023

Amber Benson and Charisma Carpenter talk to io9 via Gizmodo.com about why now was the right time to return to Buffy.

Amber co-wrote and stars in Slayers: A Buffyverse Story an Audible Original series set 13 years after the end of the ground-breaking TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Amber returns to her role as Tara Maclay and likewise Charisma returns to the role of Cordelia Chase. For more information on this amazing audio drama click this link to an earlier article I wrote.

As this is a bite-size interview I had originally shared it on our dedicated social media feeds but it's very enjoyable and I thought why not share it here on the main site so even more people can see it.

To watch it simply click the link below:

https://gizmodo.com/why-was-now-the-right-time-to-return-to-buffy-1850938106

Joe

Disclaimer Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with Slayers: A Buffyverse Story, io9/gizmodo.com, Audible or Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We own nothing all rights belong to the respective copyright holders. This post is for informational purposes only we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting interview featuring Amber Benson.

The Making of Slayers: A Buffyverse Story - A Behind The Scenes Look at The New Audible Series Co-written, Co-directed and Starring Amber Benson.

10/25/2023

Slayers: A Buffyverse Story an Audible Original Podcast was released on Thursday, the 12th of October. Now Audible have released a video which takes you behind the scenes of this hugely exciting series.

This immersive audio drama has been co-written by Amber Benson and Christopher Golden who have been friends and writing partners for many years. They also co-direct it along with Kc Wayland.

Amber also returns to play Tara Maclay for the first time in more than twenty years. A character that has meant so much to so many fans all over the world. Amber is joined by a host of friends and former co-stars along with Buffy newcomer Laya DeLeon Hays as Indira Nunnally.

Joining them in the cast are:
James Marsters as Spike
Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia
Anthony Head as Rupert Giles
Emma Caulfield Ford Anya Jenkins & Anyanka
James Charles Leary as Clement "Clem"
Juliet Landau as Drusilla
Danny Strong Jonathan Levinson

The series is set thirteen years after Chosen, the final episode of the ground-breaking TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Now some of our favourite characters have returned for a brand-new all original adventure.

Spike is now living in Los Angeles keeping an eye on the Demon population who believe he has reverted back to his old ways. That is until sixteen year old Indira Nunnally who has recently inherited her slayer powers, accidentally blows his cover story. Now he must find a Watcher to guide her. That's when their paths collide with a Slayer from a parallel reality, a world where Buffy Summers never existed and she is the one and only Slayer, none other than Cordelia Chase. She is seeking help as a “Big Bad” is threatening her reality, non-other than Spike’s former love interest Drusilla.

In this brilliant behind-the-scenes feature cameras are there to film the cast as they record the series. We see Amber in her role as Tara alongside her fellow cast members also in her role as co-director. She also shares her thoughts on her role in creating this audio drama and what it's like to work with friends and former co-stars again.

Amber Benson
Charisma Carpenter
James Marsters
Anthony Head
James Charles Leary
Juliet Landau
Laya DeLeon Hays
Co-writer and co-director Christopher Golden & Co-director Kc Wayland

All share their thoughts about Slayers: A Buffyverse Story and working with each other and more.

I have embedded the video below with a warning that it does contain spoilers for anyone who hasn't had a chance to listen yet.

This is a must see for both fans of Amber and Buffy the Vampire Slayer too. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and remember Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is out now via Audible USA, Audible UK and Audible Australia.

Joe

Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in anyway 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. This post is for informational purposes only we are simply trying to spread the word about behind-the-scenes look at Slayers: A Buffyverse Story An Audible Original, co-written, co-directed and starring Amber Benson.

Amber Benson and Christopher Golden Interviewed by Six Degrees Of Geek at New York Comic Con

10/25/2023

Recently Amber Benson appeared at New York Comic Con with co-writer Christopher Golden and the cast of Slayers: A Buffyverse Story which is an Audible Original series out now.

If you're just hearing about Slayers: A Buffyverse Story for the first time this is what you need to know. Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is an immersive audio drama set 13 years after Chosen the finale of the ground-breaking TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Amber co-wrote the drama with her friend and long-time writing partner Christopher Golden. They both co-directed the series along with Kc Wayland.

The cast features several of the shows original cast members each returning to their characters they played on Buffy. This includes Amber herself who for the first time in more than 20 years again plays the role of Tara Maclay.

For more information on this Audible Original Series click the hyperlink to an earlier article that I wrote in The Latest Amber News section.

At New York Comic Con which took place between the 12th-15th of October Amber and Christopher were interviewed by Six Degrees Of Geek. They discussed the process of making an audio drama and how their experience of making Ghosts of Albion which was an animated online series for the BBC helped them on their journey.

Amber and Christopher discussed how they brought the cast together and why they felt it was important to include the characters they had chosen, what it's like to work with audio as a medium and much more.

I've embedded the interview below which does contain some spoilers.

This is a thoroughly entertaining interview and a must watch for Amber fans. Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is out now on Audible in the USA, UK and Australia.

Joe

Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with Six Degrees Of Geek, New York Comic Con or Slayers: A Buffyverse Story. We own nothing, all rights belong to the respective copyright holders. This post is for informational purposes only we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting interview featuring Amber Benson.

Amber Benson and Christopher Golden Interviewed in The Latest Episode of Paltrocast Podcast

10/11/2023

Amber was a guest on the latest episode of Paltrocast podcast she was joined by her friend and writing partner Christopher Golden. Together they have co-written Slayers: A Buffyverse Story a brand-new Audible Original podcast set in the world Buffy the Vampire Slayer which is set to be released tomorrow (the 12th of October 2023) on both Audible here in the UK and in the USA.

If you are hearing about Slayers: A Buffyverse Story for the first time then click the link to an article I posted earlier which has lots of information about this exciting all-new story.

Host Darren Paltrowitz talks to Amber and Christopher about how they met and began working together. How slayers came about and the process to create this series also their hopes for the possibility of a second season and more. The podcast was recorded on the 9th of October and released yesterday via YouTube I have embedded the recording of the podcast below.

It was an interesting and enjoyable listen and I’d like to thank my friend and fellow Amber fan Samantha for giving me a heads up about this podcast.

Joe

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV is not involved in any way with the Paltrocast podcast or Slayers: A Buffyverse Story. All rights belong to the respective copyright holders, we own nothing. This post is for informational purposes only we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting podcast featuring Amber Benson.

Slayers: A Buffyverse Story Panel at New York Comic Con Featuring Amber on Friday will be Streamed

10/11/2023

To celebrate the release of Slayers: A Buffyverse Story which is An Audible Original podcast series set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Cast members including Amber will feature in a panel at New York Comic Con on Friday, the 13th of October.

Slayers: A Buffyverse Story was co-written, co-directed and stars Amber Benson as Tara Maclay. Amber wrote this all-new original story with her long-time friend and writing partner Christopher Golden. Amber has also assembled friends and former co-stars all of whom are returning to play their much-loved characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. For more information on Slayers: A Buffyverse Story click the link to this article which I posted earlier.

Joining Amber on the panel will be:
Charisma Carpenter
Emma Caulfield Ford
James Charles Leary
Juliet Landau
James Mrasters
Laya DeLeon Hayes
and Co-writer Christopher Golden

Tickets for Friday at New York Comic Con are now sold out but fans all over the world can still enjoy a live stream of the panel which will take place on Friday, the 13th of October at 1:30 PM Eastern Time which is 6:30 PM here in the UK.

The panel will be shown live at the link below.

https://www.thepopverse.com/slayers-buffyverse-audible-panel-livestream-nycc-new-york-comic-con-2023-main-stage-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-angel

If you are unable to watch the panel live it is available on demand at thepopverse.com. There is a fee, at the time of writing this article it is £5.99 per month and you can cancel at any time click here. I personally found the signup process to be a little tricky so if you are not sure what to do just drop me an email at the link above and I'll be happy to help.

If you're lucky enough to be attending in person, the panel will be held on the Main Stage at Javits Center at 1:30pm Eastern Time.

I'm really looking forward to hearing more about Slayers: A Buffyverse Story from Amber and her fellow cast members.

Joe

Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with New York Comic Con, Slayers: A Buffyverse Story the panel or thepopverse.com. This post is for informational purposes only we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting panel featuring Amber Benson.

Last Chance To Win Slayers: A Buffyverse Story Courtesy of The Kitten Board.Net

10/11/2023

There’s less than a day to go to the release of Slayers: A Buffyverse Story audio drama set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It's co-written, co-directed and stars Amber Benson as Tara Maclay who is returning to the character she played so wonderfully in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Amber together with her long-time friend and writing partner Christopher Golden have written an all-new original story set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Several of Amber's friends and fellow co-stars are returning to their original roles and if this is the first you've heard of this exciting news, click this hyperlink to an earlier article which will tell you everything we know so far.

Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is An Audible Original podcast series and is set to launch in the UK and USA on Thursday the 12th of October. To celebrate this release my amazing friends at thekittenboard.net are generously giving away seven copies of the audio drama to fellow fans.

To enter visit their official X (formerly known as Twitter) click here to go directly to the post then all you have to do is press repost.

Fans can also enter the competition via Instagram, click here to go directly to the post and hit the like button and you're entered. The deadline for entries is today (11 October 2023) at 11:59 PM PST.

I posted about this a few days ago on our official social media feeds but I also wanted to put an article here in the latest news section to let even more fans know there is still time to enter.

The Kitten Board brings you 'Updates, news, and commentary from your leading source of Willow/Tara Love 24/7 since July 2000'. To find out more visit thekittenboard.net

Amber Benson.TV is not involved with the giveaway but we wanted to show our support for a fantastic and very generous idea.

So go and enter while there's still time.

Joe

Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with The Kitten Board.Net or their giveaway. We have no involvement with Slayers: A Buffyverse Story all rights belong to Amber Benson, Christopher Golden, 20th Century Fox/The Walt Disney Company and Audible. This post is for informational purposes only we are simply trying to spread the word about a generous giveaway.

Amber Creates Another Halloween Trail in Los Angeles with FORT LA

10/4/2023

It's only the start of October but I know many people's thoughts will already be turning towards Halloween. If you live in and around the LA area Amber's latest project could be just what you're looking for to kickstart your spooky celebrations.

For a fourth year Amber has created a brand-new trail of five unique houses in Los Angeles each with a spooky past or connection to witches. Amber's brand-new trail is called Witch Houses 4: Towers and Turrets.

This trail was curated in association with Friends of Residential Treasures: LA (FORT) "Bringing people together by celebrating the history and influence of residential architecture."

Amber based her Echo Park Coven trilogy of novels in Los Angeles and she has also written a number of other novels and short stories with witches or ghosts and other spooky phenomenon. So, she's accustomed to researching myths and legends and the history behind some character filled locations. I'm delighted that she has been given the opportunity to once again use all those skills to create a unique trail that people will really enjoy.

Here's how trailblazer Amber describes Witch Houses 4: Towers and Turrets in the official guide:

"Ode to FORT: LA’s 2023 Halloween Trail
This Trail walks in beauty, like the night
Wait, that line belongs to Lord Byron, oh right!
Let’s start again.
FORT’s Halloween Trail this year is a doozy
Full of architectural gems that’ll make you all woozy
If you embark without fail on this Halloween Trail
You’ll find a Long Goodbye
A gibbon livin’ its best life
A red sandstone prison
Castles and turrets and a hidden bar
Plus a prize for the first person who
discovers the secret of the trail
(Hint: it’s all in the verse)
Good luck and Godspeed
And remember:
HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!"

For more information about this fascinating trail visit fortla.org and enter your email address. This will allow you to download a PDF which will give you more information about all five locations on the trail and the rules that are to be followed for anyone who wants to experience it for themselves.

As I said last year, I love history and if I had the opportunity I absolutely would be following in Amber's footsteps and experiencing this latest witch themed trail for myself. I definitely encourage anyone who can to check it out.

Update on 11th of October - A few days ago Amber posted a video on her official Instagram account where you can view some of her trail click here.

A big thank you to friend and fellow Amber fan Laragh for the heads up about this exciting new trail.

Joe

Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with FORT: LA or Witch Houses 4: Towers and Turrets trail. This post is for informational purposes only we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting project curated by Amber Benson.

Amber Has Co-Written, Co-Directed and Will Star in a Brand-New Audio Drama Slayers: A Buffyverse Story

9/30/2023

Here is some hugely exciting news for fans especially if like me you are a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Tara Maclay who was played by Amber. On Wednesday the 13th of September it was announced that Amber has co-written, co-directed and will star in a brand-new immersive audio drama called Slayers: A Buffyverse Story. Yes that's right, not only is The Buffyverse returning, Amber will once again play Tara Maclay for the first time in more than twenty years.

Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is an Audible Original and will be exclusively available on the Audible platform and fans can pre-order it via both the UK and US versions of the website and app.

The news was revealed exclusively by Entertainment Weekly in an article written by Sydney Bucksbaum, who confirmed that this new original story had been co-written by Amber Benson and her long-time friend and writing partner Christopher Golden. Amber has also co-directed the drama along with KC Wayland, as well as returning to the role of Tara Maclay who she played wonderfully in the TV series.

Amber is one of several friends and former co-stars who are returning to their original roles for this new chapter in the Buffyverse. More on that in a moment, first here's what we know about the story so far as revealed in Sydney Bucksbaum's article click here to read it.

As it begins Spike (James Masters) has gone deep undercover in Los Angeles as he attempts to convince the forces of darkness that he is back to his evil ways. That is until his cover is compromised by a young slayer, Indira Nunnally (Laya DeLeon Hayes), now Spike must track down a watcher to guide her. That's when their paths cross with a veteran slayer from a parallel reality, a world where Buffy Summers never existed, and the one and only slayer is Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter). Cordelia is searching for help to defeat a ‘big bad’ that is terrorising her world, none other than Spike's former love interest, Drusilla (Juliet Landau)

That's all we know about the plot of the series to date, however here is the cast list so far and fans will see plenty of names they will recognise:

Amber Benson as Tara Maclay
Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia Chase
Emma Caulfield Ford as Anya Jenkins & Anyanka
James Charles Leary as Clement "Clem"
Laya DeLeon Hayes as Indira Nunnally
Anthony Head as Rupert Giles
Juliet Landau as Drusilla "Dru"
James Masters as Spike
Danny Strong as Jonathan Levinson

Laya is a newcomer to The Buffyverse, some of you may recognise her name from several projects including playing Delilah Fulton on CBS drama, The Equaliser.

As well as starring in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Amber is no stranger to writing for the Buffyverse. In 2001 she teamed up with Christopher Golden to write a two-part comic book titled, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow and Tara: "Wilderness” and “Wannablessedbe. Later re-released as a graphic novel in 2003 called Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Willow & Tara.

Amber also wrote “Innocent,” a short story set at the height of the French Revolution about Claudine who was The Slayer. This was released in 2011 as part of a collection of short stories called Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales.

Christopher Golden has also written within The Buffyverse, having written several Buffy the Vampire Slayer tie-in novels both during and after the show's time on the air. He also co-wrote the script for Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds videogame.

The pair have worked together on a number of other projects, including co-creating and writing Ghosts of Albion, an animated Internet series for the BBC and the subsequent novella and novels. For more information on their writing projects click on this link to The Written Word Section of the website.

In an informal Q&A on his official X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) Christopher revealed that Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is eight hours long and will be told over nine episodes. He did say that as far as he was aware all episodes would be available on the release day of October the 12th, although he couldn't confirm this.

What's even more exciting is that fans don't have long to wait as Slayers: A Buffyverse Story will be released on 12th October both here in the UK via Audible.co.uk and in the USA via Audible.com Fans can pre-order, Audible members can use a credit (plus a fee) to pre-order or it is available to buy for a one-off fee for non-members. Click the appropriate hyperlink to pre-order and find out more. The charge I paid was just over £5 plus 1 Audible Credit. I don’t know if this charge is the same for everyone or changes depending on your Audible package. If anyone in the UK or USA has any more information please get in touch and let me know.

As both a fan of Amber and Buffy I'm thrilled that she has been given this fantastic opportunity to add to her impressive body of work as a writer. I’m also delighted that she is returning to star in Slayers: A Buffyverse Story. Amber has largely retired from acting to focus on writing but I'm so excited that she is returning to play Tara once again. Tara's controversial exit from Buffy The Vampire Slayer was upsetting for many fans, myself included. The fact that Amber will once again step into the role of Tara means so much to me.

I apologise for the length of time it has taking me to post this update, I have been particularly busy with work and other commitments. I was also lucky enough meet Amber again last weekend at Cross Roads 7 Convention in Birmingham, UK. I will of course post more news on this exciting update as soon as I possibly can following its release. Thank you all for your patience.

Joe

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV is not involved in any way with the production of Slayers: A Buffyverse Story. All rights belong to Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation/The Walt Disney Company, Audible and Amber Benson & Christopher Golden. We have no connection to Entertainment Weekly or Sydney Bucksbaum. This post is for informational purposes only. We are simply trying to spread the word about an exciting project starring, co-written & co-directed by Amber Benson.