Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
William "Spike" Pratt, played by James Marsters, is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Spike is a vampire and played various roles on the shows, including villain, anti-hero, trickster and romantic interest. For Marsters, the role as Spike began a career in science fiction television, becoming "the obvious go-to guy for US cult [television]." For creator Whedon, Spike is the "most fully developed" of his characters. The character was intended to be a brief villain, with Whedon originally adamant to not have another major "romantic vampire" character like Angel. Marsters says "Spike was supposed to be dirty and evil, punk rock, and then dead." However, the character ended up staying through the second season, and then returning in the fourth to replace Cordelia as "the character who told Buffy she was stupid and about to die."
Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Spike's first appearance in the episode "School Hard" (1997).
This promotional poster for Brian Lynch's IDW Spike series was drawn by artist Franco Urru in response to the spoiler leak controversy for the Dark Horse Comics series Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight. The image is reflective of Spike's role in both franchises. Note that as the series' central character, Spike receives his own stylised logo.
The character's look has been compared with rock musician Billy Idol (pictured)
James Wesley Marsters is an American actor, musician, singer, comic book writer, and audiobook narrator.
Comic Con Brussels, 2023
James Marsters performing at the Union Chapel Concert in Islington, London on May 4, 2007