What has Julie Benz been doing since getting killed off on “Dexter”?
—Jeff Strupinsky, White Plains, N.Y.
After dying at the hands of a serial killer on “Dexter,” Benz, 41, was resurrected as a stripper with a heart of gold and a master’s degree in education on “Desperate Housewives.” She followed that up with a turn as a mom with super powers on the short-lived ABC drama “No Ordinary Family” and a recurring role on “A Gifted Man,” which was also canceled after one season.
Currently, she is starring on the new Syfy series “Defiance,” which takes place on a very different planet Earth in the future, where aliens and humans try to cohabit in peace.
The Pittsburgh, Pa.-born actress, who grew up in nearby Murrysville, plays Amanda Rosewater, the newly appointed mayor of Defiance, formerly known as St. Louis, Mo. Benz says part of the appeal of her character is her strong work ethic.
“Pretty much her life is her work,” she says. “She doesn’t have a personal life at all, really. I am a bit of a workaholic, too, but I have been able to find balance in my life. I have a long-time relationship and I do have friendships. I did go through a time in my life when I was working nonstop, so I am able to relate to Amanda on that level.”
Also since leaving “Dexter,” Benz has starred in the TV movies “Middle Ages” and “Ricochet,” and on the big screen in the indie movie “Supremacy.” She also has completed filming of the thriller “Sole Custody.”
Married, Benz makes her home in Los Angeles with a Maltese/poodle mix, Bamboo, and a Havanese, Sugar. She enjoys running and weight training. She’s also involved with the U.S. Campaign for Burma charity, which came about following her experience in that country while filming “Rambo” in 2007.
