A planned return to the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will not be happening after all. Sarah Michelle Gellar confirmed that the revival project, titled Buffy: New Sunnydale, is no longer moving forward at Hulu.
The actress shared the update with fans in a video posted on Instagram on March 14, explaining that the streaming service ultimately decided not to continue developing the series. “I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me,” Gellar said. “Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward with Buffy: New Sunnydale.”
Development of the show began after Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao pitched a concept that convinced Gellar to revisit the character years after initially resisting revival ideas. Zhao was set to direct the pilot and serve as an executive producer, while writers Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman joined the creative team.
The sequel series had been designed to expand the franchise by introducing a new generation of vampire hunters. Gellar was expected to reprise her role as Buffy Summers, but in a mentoring capacity, guiding a younger slayer played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong.
Reflecting on the experience, Gellar credited Zhao for reigniting her connection to the iconic heroine: “I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish yet affordable boots,” she said. “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.”
The original Buffy the Vampire Slayer aired for seven seasons between 1997-2003, first on the WB Television Network and later on UPN, and inspired the spinoff series Angel. Gellar ended her message with a nod to one of Buffy Summers’ most famous lines, assuring fans, “I promise, if the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me.”
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