'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' sequel series is no longer happening
It's a sad day for Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans as its much-awaited sequel series is no longer moving forward on Hulu.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, the star of the original 1997 series, shared the news on Instagram.
"So, 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 revealed.
The actress went on to express her gratitude to award-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao, who was slated to direct the new series.
"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," Gellar said.
"And I promise if the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me," she added.
Just before her announcement, Gellar revealed in an interview with ComicBook.com that she had spent years rejecting offers to reprise her role as Buffy before coming on board with the Hulu series.
"I truly thought that’s where I was at. I never heard a take or a reason to do it. Then Chloé Zhao came to me, and she had the reasons, and she had the take. Also, I was in a different place. The world was in a different place," she explained.
"With that being said, it’s still taken us four years to get to this place because I would say, ‘Yes,’ and then I would call a month later and say, ‘No. No, no, no. I can’t,’" she continued.
Buffy: New Sunnydale was first announced in February 2025 as a pilot order at Hulu and was set to be the continuation of the original series, which ended in 2003 after seven seasons.
Aside from Gellar, the series would have starred Star Wars: Skeleton Crew star Ryan Kiera Armstrong as the new slayer, along with Faly Rakotohavana, Ava Jean, Sarah Bock, Daniel Di Tomasso, Jack Cutmore-Scott, and Kingston Vernes.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer centers on Buffy Summers, a seemingly ordinary teenage girl who is chosen to be the latest in a long line of “Slayers” tasked with battling vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces.
The show follows Buffy as she balances her destiny to protect the world from evil with the challenges of everyday life.