Sticking her neck out new 'Buffy' cast member gives us bites of info about mysterious new role by Ian Spelling

From Chicago Tribune - September 26th, 2000

It's the dawn of a new era on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

As the show's fifth season kicks off today, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is still battling vampires and struggling to find time for a social life. But there's a new girl in town: Dawn. She's Buffy's never-before-seen, barely-ever-mentioned little sister. Well, sort of. And stepping into the role is Michelle Trachtenberg, 14, who starred in "Harriet the Spy," "Snow Day" and "Inspector Gadget."

"It's going to be pretty cool, and I'm telling you, you've got to tune in," Trachtenberg says during a phone conversation from her home in Los Angeles. "All I can say is that Buffy and Dawn will form a sisterly type of bond, which is oh-so-much information, I know. I can't tell you what her powers are or any of that. (Series creator and producer) Joss (Whedon) made me promise not to tell."

Please. Pretty please.

"The only bits I can add are that Dawn is your typical 14-year- old girl," she says, choosing her words carefully. "She wants things in life, like any other girl. She has her diary. She thinks Willow is cool, and she has a little crush on Xander. I really want to say everything, but can't. It's frustrating. But the outcome will be wonderful. "

Trachtenberg reports that she and her new co-stars get on great and that she especially loves working with Gellar. The two actresses worked together for a while on the soap opera "All My Children," and Gellar pushed for Trachtenberg to win the role of Dawn. Bottom line, Trachtenberg couldn't be happier.

"Come on, to be on your favorite show?" she practically shouts. "To see all the behind-the-scenes stuff? It's really great. I'm like, 'Oh, that's how they make the vampires. Now stay away from me!'"

Do tell, Michelle.

Favorite "Buffy" episode: The almost-silent "Hush"

Big news: Michelle turns 15 on Oct. 11.

Her friends' reaction to her new role: "Oh my gosh! They're so excited. They gave me big old hugs. And I still have black and blue on my ribs from them."