Sarah Michelle Gellar announced this weekend that Hulu has killed the planned Buffy reboot.

Gellar Shares the News

Gellar posted a video to Instagram on Saturday breaking the news to fans. Gellar, 48, expressed her sadness but wanted to deliver the update directly to her followers.

“I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me,” Gellar said in the post. “Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward with Buffy New Sunnydale.”

She thanked Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao, who was set to direct. “I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish, yet affordable boots,” Gellar remarked, crediting Zhao for reminding her how much she loved the character and what Buffy means to her and the fans.

“And this doesn’t change any of that.”

She concluded her announcement with a nostalgic nod to the original series, adding, “I promise, if the apocalypse actually comes, you could still beep me.” Hulu hasn't yet publicly commented on the cancellation.

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The Cancelled 'New Sunnydale' Project

The planned sequel series, titled “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale,” had garnered significant attention since its pilot order announcement in February 2025. The show would've introduced new slayers alongside returning characters.

Ryan Kiera Armstrong, 16, had been cast as the new slayer, with Gellar reprising her role as Buffy Summers in a recurring capacity. This pilot episode also featured a supporting cast including Faly Rakotohavana as Hugo, Ava Jean as Larkin, Sarah Bock as Gracie, Daniel di Tomasso as Abe, and Jack Cutmore-Scott as Mr. Burke.

Chloé Zhao, known for her acclaimed work on films like “Nomadland,” “Eternals,” and most recently “Hamnet,” was attached to direct and executive produce the project. 20th Television and Searchlight Television were developing it.

Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman were slated to serve as writers, showrunners, and executive producers for “New Sunnydale.” The executive producing team also included Gellar herself, alongside Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, Kaz Kuzui, and music legend Dolly Parton. Notably, Joss Whedon, the original series creator, was not involved in this reboot attempt.

The lasting impact of the Slayer

The original “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” series first captivated audiences from 1997 to 2003, spanning seven seasons. It followed Buffy, a high school student in fictional Sunnydale, California, chosen to fight vampires and demons.

The show became a cultural phenomenon for mixing supernatural action with sharp humor and real explorations of growing up. It pioneered long narrative arcs and complex characters that influenced countless shows after it. Critics praised how the show used its supernatural setting to explore real social anxieties and the struggles of adolescence.

The cast included Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, and Michelle Trachtenberg alongside Gellar. Nicholas Brendon, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Seth Green, and James Marsters also starred. The show spawned Angel, a five-season spinoff centered on Boreanaz's character.

Before the TV show, there was a 1992 Buffy film written by Whedon and directed by Kuzui, starring Kristy Swanson. The character's evolution from film to TV made it a pop culture icon.

Future of the Franchise Remains Open

Even though this reboot's dead, insiders say Hulu isn't done with Buffy. There's still a

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That suggests while "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale" won't see the light of day, the possibility of another take on the Slayer's story could emerge in the future.

This article was created with AI assistance.