Before Dawn by Carolyn Stewart

Big Hit - May 2001

Before catching her as Dawn Summers on Buffy, you may have spotted Michelle Trachtenberg as Penny in Inspector Gadget... which is now available to buy on vid...

Are you at all like your character? Penny in Inspector Gadget?
Yeah. The funny thing is that I am a fun kind of person. I have tons and tons of energy just like Penny. We both like fun and cool clothes and we care about our family and animals.

What's your fave part in the film?
The junkyard scene, because I tell Inspector Gadget he has the biggest heart in the whole wide world and that is very important.

You've done TV ads, soaps and movies - which is hardest?
Some movies are harder, some are easier, but nothing is excruciatingly hard. I love what I do, so none of it is that bad. When you ask a kid what they want to be when they grow up they'll say a vet or a fireman. I get to be anything through acting.

What's it like on the set of Buffy?
It's really fun! Whenever you walk on a set, especially one that's established, you have some worries. I've worked with Sarah [Michelle Gellar] before so I knew how wonderful she is - it's a close family and I was welcomed with open arms. It was really comforting.

Were you surprised by anyone?
I love all the guys on Buffy. They're all so cute. When I met Spike [James Marsters] I was like, "Whoa, you don't have an accent." But he's so cute.

Where will you be in five years?
Acting - if there's anyone who wants a break it's my mom, this is so fun for me. It's such an amazing feeling being in front of the camera, I never get tired of it. Eventually I want to go to college and do movies in the summer like Claire Danes.