TV Guide (UK) 3rd January 2006

He’s no Angel

He used to play an avenging vampire in Angel, and now David Boreanaz has a new role to get his teeth into as the hero of new crime series Bones.

The show is based on Kathy Reichs’ bestselling mystery novels about forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan [here played by Emily Deschanel].

In the series, Brennan – who writes novels on the side – is called in by the FBI. They hope that her uncanny ability to read clues left behind in victimes’ skeletons will help them solve some particularly gruesome murders.
Boreanaz is FBI special agent Seeley Boothn, who ends up working with Brennan, despite his deep scepticism about her scientific methods. And, as Boreanaz, 36, points out, it’s their prickly relationship which is at the heart of the series.

‘It’s interesting to see how these guys get under each other’s skin. They drive each other crazy in a good way. There’s a real chemistry’.

So, can we look forward to the kind of will-they-won’t-they relationship that was such a hallmark of Eighties series Moonlighting?

‘They are attracted to each other so maybe they will get together,’ says Boreanaz, refusing to give anything away.

The first episode sees the pair thrown together to investigate a badly decoposed body dragged out of a lake. Boreanaz modelled his character on his heroes, such as ‘King of Cool’, Steve McQueen.

‘Booth is a bit of a throwback to this American hero of the Fifties who is charming, handsome and respects ladies.’

The actor spent time with real FBI agents to get a feel for how his character would react in dangerous situations.

‘I learned about how they get information from people, how they behave if a hostage is involved, even how they hold their guns,’ he says.

The first series is well under way in America, and after five years starring, in first, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and then getting his own spin-off series, Angel, Boreanaz is used to the pressures of a long run.

‘It can get to feel like you’re going through the paces,’ he admits, ‘so it’s important to keep challenging each other.’

The only drawback is that long hours spent filming mean he gets to spend less time with his wife, Playboy model-turned-actress Jaime Bergman and their three-year-old sond Jaden.

‘It is difficult, but Jaden comes down to set and he loves shouting “Action” and “Cut”!