Untitled Document

November 7, 2004, Sunday

by NAOMI MCELROY

Michael Fassbender transformed into demon prince Azazeal; Michael, in a more normal guise, is known from Holby City and Band Of Brothers; Christina Coleman plays Cassie who finds she has supernatural powers

HE'S jumped from cliffs, swum the Atlantic and invaded France.. now gorgeous Irish actor Michael Fassbender is revelling in his toughest role yet - as demon prince Azazeal in Sky One's latest smash Hex.

The teen horror drama, billed as Europe's answer to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has already proved a ratings smash, pulling in 1,000s of viewers with its prime time slot.

Michael believes the show, with it's mix of sex and edge-of-the-seat thrills, could go on to eclipse Buffy's success.

He said: "It's the first teenage horror series set on this side of the Atlantic and I think it is edgier and riskier.

"US teen programmes have to be far more careful about what they show and that is where Hex will benefit."

The show even features lesbian snogs between lead actress Christina Coleman and her on-screen best friend, As If star Jemima Rooper.

Set in a stuffy English boarding school, Hex tells the story of Cassie, a shy student who discovers she has terrifying supernatural powers.

Even worse, she is being stalked by the evil Nephilim, led by Killarney hunk Michael.

But all English ladies love an Irish devil and the mis-matched pair soon embark on a relationship - just like Buffy and her vampire lover, Angel.

Michael said he loves playing the baddie: "It's great to play one of the lead roles and viewers can expect to see the relationship between Azazeal and Cassie as the series continues."

But the gorgeous star had a problem with his kissing scenes - he wanted more of them.

He said: "The more times I got to do that the better.

"Just, you know, it makes a happier environment to come to work to and you know that if you can have a laugh while you're doing creative stuff and you're getting the work done as well, then that's great."

Michael is no stranger to the spotlight.

He shot to fame in Stephen Spielberg's Band of Brothers and appeared in BBC hit dramas Holby City and Hearts and Bones.

Most recently he appeared in the Guinness Quarrel advert as a man who swims the Atlantic to apologise to his best friend in New York.

But nothing prepared him for the gruelling six-hour stint in the make- up chair to transform him from heart-throb to monster.

He said: "Thankfully we shot all those scenes in one day and basically they created a mould of my body, so it was like wearing a wet-suit.

"We decided we didn't want to do something with lots of special effects.

"We wanted to keep the biblical side, the element of character there when we were going to do the transformation to the Nephelim and to show ageing and weariness of character."