People.com – Roswell‘s former brooding alien, 30, plays a ninja on ABC Family’s Samurai Girl (Sept. 5-7). At home, his role is father to a 5-month-old.

WHAT WAS THE APPEAL OF SAMURAI GIRL?

I loved the character. He is a lone wolf, an outsider. Jake is forced to use [his power] and doesn’t want to.

YOU SURVIVED BEING A TEEN IDOL IN YOUR ROSWELL DAYS.
The one time I was literally mobbed was at Disneyland. There were probably 200 16-year-old girls.

WHY NAME YOUR BABY GIRL JAMES?
I always liked boys’ names for girls. It was inspired by my favorite musician, James Hetfield of Metallica.

ARE YOU A HANDS-ON DAD?
I am. I’m faster than my wife at changing diapers.