For a long time, Sarah Michelle Gellar has denied any desire to return to her role as “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 Variety, 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.
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 finale 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 Slayer, 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.

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.
The moving text of Gellar’s response to the news of Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s return is below.
So….. you might have heard some news this week, but I realize you haven’t heard from me.
Three years ago, I got a call from my dear friend and mentor, Gail Berman. She told me that she wanted me to sit down with Chloé Zhao to hear her take on a potential “Buffy” revival. I was blown away that Chloé even knew who I was, but, as I’ve always done, I told Gail that I just didn’t see a way for the show to exist again. We’d always been aligned on that, but this time I heard something different in her voice. I eventually agreed to go (mainly just to meet Chloé) and our twenty minute coffee quickly turned into a four hour adventure. We laughed, we cried, but mostly we both talked about how much this show means to us.
While I didn’t agree to anything at that meeting, I did shock myself by agreeing to continue the conversation. These conversations did, in fact, continue over the next few years and eventually we added the incredible Nora and Lilla Zuckerman to our little tribe until ultimately, one day, we landed on an idea.
I have always listened to the fans and heard your desire to revisit “Buffy” and her world, but it was not something I could do unless I was sure we would get it right. This has been a long process, and it’s not over yet. I promise you, we will only make this show if we know we can do it right. And I will tell you that we are on the path there.
I feel so lucky to be on this journey with these four unbelievably talented women, all of whom love “Buffy” as much as I do. And as much as you do. Thank you to all the fans who never stopped asking for this. This will be for you.
More About the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Sequel Reboot
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 members 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.