Remember Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer? Actor James Marsters is unrecognisable 25 years later

BUFFY the Vampire Slayers marked its 25th anniversary earlier this month – and some of its cast look entirely different since appearing on the hit TV show.

One actor from the show, in particular, comes in the shape and size of James Marsters – first rising to fame as the punk-rock vampire Spike.

Fox

James Marsters appeared on Buffy the Vampire Slayer 25 years ago[/caption]

Justin Kase Photography

The 59-year-old looks completely unrecognisable since his stint on the series[/caption]

He joined the cast for season two and went on to become one of the best-loved characters, having transformed from one of the villains to one of the protagonists.

The star, then 35, featured alongside Sarah Michelle-Gellar as Buffy Summers in the hit series.

His character was intended to be a minor role from the outset, but due to Spike’s popularity with fans, he remained a part of the series until the final season.

Fans were also excited to see James, now 59, appear as one of the main characters in the spin-off series Angel, which saw David Boreanaz also reprise his role as the title character.

Marsters also had a small role in Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, starring opposite John Barrowman’s Captain Jack Harkness in 2008.

The father-of-one married Patricia Jasmin Rahman in 2011, and he went on to star in a whole host of films and series.

His film credits include P.S. I Love You and New Life, and he has just finished production on the film Abruptio.

In terms of TV, he went on to have recurring roles in Smallville, Witches of East End and Runaways.

Alongside his screen roles, he has continued with his music career and became the lead singer of the band Ghost of the Robot in 2003.

Fox

He joined the cast for season two and went on to become one of the best-loved characters[/caption]

Justin Kase Photography

Marsters also had a small role in Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood[/caption]