The reboot of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is not moving forward at Hulu, Variety has confirmed. Sarah Michelle Gellar revealed the news on Instagram.
“I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me. Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward with ‘Buffy: New Sunnydale,’” she said in a video posted Saturday. “I want to thank Chloé Zhao, because I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish yet affordable boots. And thanks to Chloé, I was reminded how much I love her and how much she means not only to me but to all of you. And this doesn’t change any of that, and I promise if the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me.”
The “Buffy” sequel series was first announced in February 2025 as a pilot order at Hulu. “Hamnet” director Zhao was set to direct and executive-produce the new iteration, which was set up at 20th Television and Searchlight Television.
The project, titled “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale,” would have starred Ryan Kiera Armstrong as the new slayer, with original series star Gellar reprising her role as Buffy in a recurring capacity. The pilot also starred Faly Rakotohavana as Hugo, Ava Jean as Larkin, Sarah Bock as Gracie, Daniel di Tomasso as Abe and Jack Cutmore-Scott as Mr. Burke.
A source close to the show indicated that despite the reboot not moving forward, there is a “lot of love” for “Buffy,” and the streamer will still consider future iterations on the IP: “Basically, the door is still open.”
Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman were attached to write, showrun and executive produce “New Sunnydale,” with EPs Gellar, Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, Kaz Kuzui and Dolly Parton. Original series creator Joss Whedon was not involved in the reboot.
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” originated as a 1992 film directed by Fran Kuzui and written by Whedon, with Kristy Swanson starring in the title role. Five years later, a series adaptation starring Gellar was launched on The WB. The show ran for seven seasons and also starred Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Carpenter, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Seth Green and James Marsters. Boreanaz went on to lead the spinoff series “Angel” at The WB for five seasons.
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