Eliza Dushku is interviewed in the new issue of TV Guide magazine wherein she talks about the upcoming second season of Dollhouse which she describes as “racier” and “deeper”. The magazine also gives us our first look at Eliza (in character as Echo) with season premiere guest star Jamie Bamber (ex-Battlestar Galactica, who we learned last month would be guesting on the show). Here is that promo pic and Eliza’s interview:

It isn’t playtime in The Dollhouse anymore. Stars Eliza Dushku and Tamoh Penikett are promising that, after some growing pains in the freshman season, Dollhouse is darker, racier and rougher than ever for Season 2. “I just finished episode 3 and I’m proud of the show already,” Dushku told TVGuideMagazine.com. “It’s different, it’s racier and it’s deeper. We found that rhythm and now we’re just blowing it out of the water. Everyone is really in their skin and comfortable playing around with the light and the dark,” she explained, noting series creator Joss Whedon nailed the show’s stride in its final first-season episode. “The cast all settled in to their roles, and then in the 13th episode things shot into the future and everyone got an idea where they might go – the dark places – and everyone came back with a confidence.” That confidence meant a willingness to push the boundaries, action-wise: “I learned how to beat up boys using a private jet as a weapon,” she chuckles. “I beat these guys with a jet. I got married in one of the first episodes. I had beaucoup bruises and bumps and fights already.” As far as the racier side, Dushku makes it sounds motherly for a moment before her big reveal. “I was shooting with babies this week, which was interesting and different, and there was an actual what-people-do-with-babies thing going on.” She pulled at her shirt collar to flash a little skin and laughed. “There was a lot going on!” There’s also a possible romance brewing. “Tahmoh’s in The Dollhouse now and there’s a lot of chemistry, a lot of things building with Echo and Agent Ballard, so that’s a little tease,” she said, adding “I’m teased, too. I don’t know what’s going to happen. Joss will come in and start snickering and whistling.” “I just read the fourth episode a few days ago and it’s awesome,” agreed Penikett. “It’s dark. I’m going to tell you: this is really one of the darker things that Joss Whedon has done. At the same time because there’s a brilliant writing staff they manage to have some light moments.” Penikett’s also looking forward to a reunion of sorts with his Battlestar Galactica co-stars on Dollhouse. “We’ve got Jamie Bamber in the first episode and then we have Michael Hogan in the second episode,” he said. “I’d definitely like to take credit for that but it wasn’t like that. Joss Whedon is a huge fan of Battlestar and ultimately it was about him wanting to bring in some very talented actors who were great for the parts. It’s awesome because for both of them it’s very much a departure from the characters that they play on Battlestar.”

A romance betwixt Echo and Agent Ballard, you say? Oh man … I kinda love that. As much as I loved the little thing that went on between Ballard and November (Miracle Laurie), I wouldn’t mind seeing him dabble in Echo’s waters. I can’t even begin to express how excited I am that both Jamie Bamber and Michael Hogan from Battlestar Galactica will be guesting on the show. While I’m most anxious for Buffyverse alums Alexis Denisof and Summer Glau to join the cast, having some of the Battlestar folks on the show will amp up the geek factor and make an already awesome show even awesomer. Bring it on! I cannot wait!!

UPDATE: I was *just* sent a press release from FOX about Dollhouse Season 2 that reveals which characters Alexis Denisof, Summer Glau and other guest stars will portray on the show. Because this may be a bit spoilery, I’ll keep that info behind the cut. Good news, tho, the press release promises the return of Dr. Claire Saunders/Whiskey!!!!! Read on if you want to find out …

Summer Glau (“Firefly,” “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) reunites with Joss Whedon when the actress joins the cast of DOLLHOUSE this fall in a recurring role as BENNETT, a Dollhouse employee who shares a past with ECHO (Eliza Dushku). The second season of DOLLHOUSE premieres Friday, Sept. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Additional guest stars appearing throughout the upcoming second season include Alexis Denisof (“Angel”), Jamie Bamber (“Battlestar Galactica”), Michael Hogan (“Battlestar Galactica”) and Keith Carradine (“Dexter”). DANIEL PERRIN (Denisof) is a U.S. senator leading a witch hunt to track down the underground organization. Mysterious, charismatic businessman MARTIN KLAR (Bamber) is Echo’s new husband. BRADLEY KARRENS (Hogan) comes to the Dollhouse hoping to stop a psychotic family member’s killing spree, while MATTHEW HARDING (Carradine), a nemesis of Dollhouse leader ADELLE DEWITT (Olivia Williams), stirs up trouble. Additionally, DR. CLAIRE SAUNDERS/WHISKEY (Amy Acker) and MADELINE/NOVEMBER (Miracle Laurie) return this season in multiple-episode arcs.

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