For a long time, Sarah Michelle Gellar has denied any desire to return to her role Opens in a new tabas “The Chosen One,” Buffy Anne Summers. But recently, Gellar said she might be interested, thanks to the success of legacy sequels like Dexter: Original Sin, in which she stars. Now, it’s official — Buffy the Vampire Slayer is coming back to stake the undead, in a new sequel series reboot from Hulu. Via VarietyOpens in a new tab, we’ve learned that the pilot has an official order from Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman. The former Poker Face showrunners will write, show run, and executive produce. Oscar winner Chloé Zhao is attached to direct and executive produce the Buffy reboot. However, that’s likely just for the pilot episode.
According to a recent Deadline iOpens in a new tabnterview with Disney TV executive Eric Schrier, Gellar is an executive producer for the Buffy reboot along with Poker Face’s showrunner and her sister, who is a writer, penning the scripts.
“Sarah Michelle Gellar has been a part of it from the get-go as well; she is an executive producer,” he affirmed. “[Executive producer] Gail Berman is back; she’s been behind the scenes trying to pull it all together. We have Nora and Lilla Zuckerman writing it, whom we have a deal with; they’re great.”
Gellar continues to give updates about the Buffy reboot, saying that things are moving forward nicely. “We’ve set up our offices, which means things are progressing probably faster than I’d anticipated,” Gellar told PeopleOpens in a new tab. “But it’s going to be a process, I think… to do it the way it needs to be done, everyone has to be patient with all of us, because this isn’t something that [will just happen].”
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer Reboot Sequel Series Will Focus on a New Slayer
Although the series will still use the title Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the Buffy sequel series will focus on a new Slayer. Gellar will appear in a recurring role rather than leading this reboot series. The original Buffy the Vampire Slayer series finaleOpens in a new tab in 2003 ended with girls all over the world activating their Slayer powers. So there will now be a generation of Slayers who might need Buffy Summers, the Prime SlayerOpens in a new tab, as their mentor. We can easily see that as the premise of this Buffy the Vampire slayer reboot sequel series. We’ll just have to wait and see to know for sure, though.
TVLineOpens in a new tab reports that this new Slayer will be more like Willow than Buffy. The publication reports, “That new Slayer, TVLine can exclusively report, seems to skew more Willow than Buffy. Per preliminary and subject-to-change intel, she’s a cerebral 16-year-old named Nova (though we’re fairly certain that name is just a placeholder) who is very smart and a bit of a loner….Her buddies, aka those who would’ve been considered the “Scoobies” in the original series, will include Hugo, an out-and-proud nerd who comes from money, and Gracie, a young expert on vampires who’s an acolyte of Gellar’s Buffy.”
Casting is currently underway.
But Sarah Michelle Gellar Will Absolutely Return as Buffy Summers
Although she may not be the main character anymore, Sarah Michelle Gellar will always be the main character in the hearts of Buffy fans. And we’re so glad that Gellar will return as Buffy Summers in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot sequel series. We couldn’t have done it without her. Sarah Michelle Gellar recently spoke out on her Instagram about returning as the iconic character. Here message was both heartfelt and gorgeous, focusing on how right this reboot is for Gellar, Buffy fans, and the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a whole.
One name you’ll notice not attached is that of original Buffy creator and showrunner Joss Whedon. Once upon a time, the notion of a Whedon-less Buffy series without its creative voice would have been blasphemous. But in the last few years, Whedon’s name has become toxic. Several of his former Buffy cast, as well as several Justice League cast members, have accused him of running an unpleasant set to say the least. Regardless, as the series creator, he’ll probably cash some form of check for the series even if he has no creative involvement anymore. Additionally, except for Sarah Michelle Gellar’s exciting return, we have no confirmation about other former cast membersOpens in a new tab or writers coming on board for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot sequel series. But we expect a lot more news on this one in the months ahead.
Originally published on February 3, 2025.
