Buffy the Vampire Slayerwas iconic from the time it premiered in 1997 until it aired its final episode in 2003. Even after over 20 years, the show still maintains an 85% RottenTomatoes score and an 8.3 IMDB rating – an impressive feat for any show, but especially for a supernatural teen drama. No matter how much time has passed, the show still has a dedicated fan base and seems to only be gaining more and more fans as younger generations discover it through streaming services.
The sharp, witty dialogue, compelling characters, and a plot filledwith supernatural thrillsmadeBuffya surefire hit, and it doesn’t seem like love for this show has lessened any since it ended 22 years ago. With the incredible amount of love viewers have shown for this show, it’s no surprise that rumors of a possible sequel series, reboot or new spin-off have persisted for years – but, to the disappointment of fans, none of those rumors have ever led to anything real. Until now, that is.
Updated July 22, 2025: This article has been updated with additional plot details and information surrounding the excitingBuffyreboot.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
The Original and the Sequel
Finally, after 20 years of speculation about how the show could continue and of hopeful rumors spread by fans, it would seem thatBuffy the Vampire Slayeris finally getting a sequel series.Although the show has yet to be given an official name, a pilot has been ordered for a sequel series at Hulu. While a lot of mystery still surrounds the reboot, there have been a few exciting bits of news about the show recently revealed – certainly enough to get viewers of the original excited about this new venture. Sarah Michelle Gellar took to her social media to assure skeptical fans that the reboot was in good hands and would do the original TV hit justice:
Although the new show will take place within the world of the Buffyverse,it won’t be centered around Buffy. Since the finale of the original series sawWillow, Buffy’s best friendand a powerful witch, cast a spell that allowed all potential slayers to access their full power – putting an end to the rule that only one slayer can exist at a time –the sequel series will be exploring that reality. The show will focus on one member of this new generation of slayers, withBuffy acting as a supporting character and potential mentor for this new slayer.
In March 2025,TVLinegot the exciting scoop about the premise of the buzzed-about reboot, and it appears as though the new slayer will be far more similar to the brilliant Willow than butt-kicking Buffy, asthe series will focus on the 16-year-old intellectual loner Nova (likely a placeholder name) as she attempts to embrace her slayer destiny. Nova will have her very own version of the “Scoobies,” first with the savvy vampire expert Gracie, who has been described as an acolyte of Gellar’s Buffy. Joining Nova and Gracie is the “out and proud nerd” Hugo, who comes from an affluent background; casting for the trio of characters is currently underway.
Famous Actors Who Almost Played Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Sarah Michelle Gellar’s iconic turn as Buffy nearly went to someone else back in the day. Here’s a detailed look at the top contenders.
Who Is Returning?
As stated above,Buffy is set to be a supporting character in the new series– which means that, though she may no longer be the main character, fans will get to see her back in action. Sarah Michelle Gellar has confirmed, officially, that she will be returning to play the character of Buffy Summers once more in the sequel. This was incredibly exciting news for fans, and guarantees that fans of the original show will at least tune in to see their favorite slayer back on the small screen – and, hopefully, along the way, they’ll fall in love with the new show and the new central slayer.
Cast members Seth Green (Oz) and James Marsters (Spike) have both been vocal about their desires to return to the supernatural universe, as has Charisma Carpenter, who unforgettably played Sunnydale High’s resident queen bee Cordelia Chase in bothBuffyand its spin-offAngel.During apanel at Indiana Comic Con, Carpenter revealed her hopes of joining the new series in a larger capacity: “From what I understand, there isn’t even a pilot at the moment, so I hope — if I am involved — I hope so in some fashion, it’s more in a substantive way. That would be my dream. I think it would be very poetic to be invited back.”
Althoughno other cast members have been officially confirmed to return, Gellar isn’t the only member of the original team who will be returning to work on the new series. Behind the camera, several people who worked on the original show will also be joining the new series.Dolly Parton, Fran and Kaz Kazui, and Gail Bermanwere all executive producersonBuffy the Vampire Slayer, and will be returning to executive produce the sequel series. Gellar will also be taking on a role as an executive producer behind the scenes.
Although he was the original show’s creator,Joss Whedon is one name that has been glaringly missing from this new project. After all the controversy surrounding him as a director came to light, it’s no surprise that he won’t be attached to the sequel toBuffy.Another absence that will be more sorely missed is Michelle Trachtenberg, who tragically passed away in February 2025. It’s possible that the reboot will pay tribute to the beloved actor in some way as it won’t be the same without her.
Sarah Michelle Gellar Shares Beautiful Tribute to ‘Buffy’ Co-Star Michelle Trachtenberg Following Tragic Death
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Michelle Trachtenberg played sisters on the final three seasons of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer.’
The New Talent Behind the Camera
The new writers and showrunners for the sequel will be Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, a highly talented sister team who have previously worked on multiple hit science fiction and supernatural shows. The duo have previously worked on shows likeFringe, Prodigal Son, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,and, most recently,Poker Face. Lilla is also the showrunner forPoker Face,so she certainly has experience running a popular show and dealing with the pressures associated with that job.
Another addition to the crew working on the pilot episode of the sequel series isAcademy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao.She is confirmed to be directing the first episode of the series, though whether she’ll be involved beyond the pilot is unknown as of right now. The impressive list of films Zhao has directed, which includes both critically acclaimed films and big-budget blockbusters, bodes well for the pilot episode of the show. There’s no shortage of talent involved in thisBuffysequel – something that has fans excited about this new chapter in the Buffyverse.
