NewBuffy the Vampire SlayerSeries Is a Go — and Sarah Michelle Gellar Is Set to Return!

Mar. 15, 2025

Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy the Vampire Slayer.Photo:Getty

Getty

Scoobies, grab your stakes — Buffy’s back!

Over two decades afterBuffy the Vampire Slayer’s final bow, a new chapter in the Buffyverse is officially in the works with the slayer herself,Sarah Michelle Gellar, slated to return, PEOPLE has learned.DeadlineandVarietywere first to report the news on Monday, Feb. 3.

Gellar, 47, is expected to reprise her career-defining role as titular slayer Buffy Summers in the currently untitled project, which is nearing a pilot order at Hulu, according to Deadline andVariety. The Hulu project will focus on a new slayer, not Buffy, with Gellar appearing in a recurring role.

Oscar winner (andBuffyfan!)Chloé Zhaois set to direct and executive produce the Buffyverse pilot, and Nora and Lila Zuckerman are attached to write, showrun and executive produce, both outlets reported.

Gellar is also set to executive produce, along with the original series’ executive producers, Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui and Kaz Kuzui.

Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’.Getty

Dolly Parton— who was an uncredited producer on the hit ’90s show through her company Sandollar Entertainment — will also return to the Buffyverse to executive produce the Hulu pilot. The country star, 79, has also long been attached to a potentialBuffyreboot, whichwas first announced in 2018 and put “on pause” four years later. Searchlight Television and 20th Television will also produce.

After speaking out about her experiences on the sets, Carpenterreceived vocal support from several of her fellowBuffyalumni, Gellar included. Whedonhas largely deniedthe allegations.

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Gellar has not yet commented on the latest installment in the beloved supernatural franchise. She did, however, drop aBuffyEaster egg — a nod to her character’s “yummy sushi pajamas” — in a cheekyInstagramselfie just a day before news of the project broke.

The actress also sent waves through theBuffyfandom afterchanging her tune about a potential reboot of the supernatural serieslate last year.

“It’s funny. I always used to say no, because it’s in its bubble, and it’s so perfect,” Gellar said of stepping back into the slayer’s shoes onThe Drew Barrymore Showin December.

Thee cast of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’.Online USA/Getty

But, Gellar explained, seeing revival series likeSex and the City’sAnd Just Like ThatandDexter: Original Sin(which she stars in!) made her realize that “there are ways to do it,” she said, adding that it “definitely does get your mind thinking, ‘Well, maybe.' ”

“It could be anything,” Gellar added of a potential premise for a newBuffyinstallment. “It’s a universe. And it makes you realize that in this world, we need those heroes, I think, more so than ever.”

While Gellar remains tight-lipped about the in-the-works pilot, another series mainstay,Emma Caulfield, wasted no time reacting to news of the project. The actress, who starred as Anya in the original show, shared a screenshot of Deadline’s article onInstagramon Feb. 3 and wrote, “Aaaaaaand it’s out.” (She did not, however, confirm whether she’s involved in the project.)

Aside from Gellar, there is no word yet on which — if any — of the characters fromBuffy, which ran for seven seasons from 1997 to 2003, orAngel, which ran from 1999 to 2004, are set to return.

Alyson Hannigan,Anthony Head,David Boreanaz,Nicholas Brendon, James Marsters,Eliza DushkuandSeth Greenwere also among the mainBuffycast.

Buffy the Vampire Slayeris available to stream in full on Hulu.

source: people.com