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Dust off your stakes and get ready to slay, because Sarah Michelle Gellar is back as Buffy Summers in a Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival that’s sure to stake its claim in the hearts of fans everywhere. With a pilot order close to being finalised at Hulu, fans of the OG series can finally look forward to a continuation of the beloved supernatural drama.
Deadline reports that Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, Eternals) is expected to direct the pilot, with the script penned by Poker Face showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman. While details remain under wraps, the show will introduce a new Slayer, with Buffy serving as a recurring mentor figure rather than the central protagonist. A writers’ room is already forming, suggesting that Hulu is confident in bringing this project to life. This marks the first live-action return for Buffy the Vampire Slayer in over two decades, following the original series’ conclusion in 2003.

After years of shutting down any speculation about reprising her role, Gellar softened her stance in late 2024 while promoting Dexter: Original Sin, saying, “It’s funny, I always used to say no, because it’s in its bubble and it’s so perfect,” she said. “But watching Sex and the City and seeing Dexter, and realising there are ways to do it, definitely does get your mind thinking, ‘Well, maybe.’”
“It could be anything. It’s a universe. And it makes you realise that in this world, we need those heroes, I think, more so than ever.”
Hulu’s revival is set to break away from previous Buffy continuations, including the long-running comic book series that extended the story after the season seven finale. From 2007 to 2018, a continuation in comic form — overseen by Joss Whedon (who won’t be returning due to allegations) and other former Buffy writers — served as the official canon. However, those stories ended when Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, leading to a fresh start with a new comic book universe. More recently, an audio drama titled Slayers: A Buffyverse Story brought back several cast members, though Gellar declined to participate.
Returning to the Buffy universe in this way ensures that the legacy of the series remains intact while pushing the story forward. The original finale saw the activation of countless new Slayers, a development that opened the door for fresh stories beyond Buffy’s personal battle against evil. The new series will likely explore the impact of that shift, focusing on a Slayer who emerges in a world where Buffy’s influence remains but where she is no longer the sole protector.

Hulu has yet to announce casting beyond Gellar, leaving speculation open regarding which other original characters might return. Some, like Angel and Spike, present logistical challenges given that their vampire characters do not age, though de-aging technology could provide a solution if necessary. Other returning faces remain a possibility, especially given Emma Caulfield Ford’s (who played former demon Anya Jenkins in the series) recent interactions with Gellar on social media, where they referenced memorable scenes from the original series.
For longtime fans, the return of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a major moment. The series’ impact on pop culture remains undeniable, and after more than 20 years, its themes of resilience, growth, and identity feel as relevant as ever. Buffy once said, “The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.” Now, after years of dormancy, Buffy is coming back to remind everyone why she was one of television’s greatest heroes.