The planned Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot will not move forward at Hulu.
Star Sarah Michelle Gellar shared the news Saturday morning in a video posted to Instagram. The project, titled Buffy: New Sunnydale, was first announced in February 2025 and came from 20th Television and Searchlight TV.
“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.”
Gellar Thanks Creative Team
Gellar also thanked the team behind the reboot and reflected on returning to the role that made her a television icon.
“I want to thank Chloé Zhao, because I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish yet affordable boots,” she said. “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.”
She ended the message with a playful promise to fans.
“This doesn’t change any of that, and I promise if the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me.”
Hulu Still Considering Options
Despite the cancellation, sources close to the production say Hulu has not completely closed the door. The streamer is reportedly still considering possible next steps for the project.
Oscar winner Chloé Zhao, known for Nomadland and Hamnet, was set to direct the reboot. The script came from Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, the writing duo behind Poker Face.
A New Slayer for a New Generation
The series was designed to introduce a new generation of Slayer. Ryan Kiera Armstrong was cast as the younger hero at the center of the story.
Gellar’s Buffy Summers was set to return in a starring role while also serving as an executive producer.
The cast included Faly Rakotohavana as Hugo, Ava Jean as Larkin, Sarah Bock as Gracie, Daniel Di Tomasso as Abe, and Jack Cutmore-Scott as Mr. Burke.
A Franchise That Defined an Era
Buffy the Vampire Slayer first premiered in 1997. The series ran for seven seasons on The WB and became one of the defining genre shows of its era.
The franchise later expanded with the spinoff Angel, which aired from 1999 to 2004.
