‘Buffy’ Star James Marsters Confirms Spike Was Set To Return for Hulu Reboot

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The news that Hulu was cancelling its planned revival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was especially disappointing, as the project had progressed surprisingly far. Sarah Michelle Gellar was going to reprise her role, acclaimed director Chloé Zhao was on board to lead the show, and a new actress, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, had been cast as the next Slayer. The plan wasn’t to completely remake the series, but to continue the story with a new generation.

Hulu canceled the series in March, ending a promising effort to revive Buffy for modern audiences.

James Marsters, the actor who famously played Spike, has shared details about potential plans to bring his character back for the show’s revival. He previously mentioned on Charisma Carpenter’s podcast, The Btch is Back*, that he had been revisiting the original series to prepare for the role, but the revival was ultimately canceled.

He recently mentioned on Instagram that he’d heard rumors about Spike returning, and he’d even been doing thousands of sit-ups to prepare for the possibility. However, it now seems like that won’t be happening with this current plan.

So, I’ve been keeping up with all the buzz, just like you guys, and I heard a rumor that Sarah Michelle Gellar might be open to revisiting Buffy in some way – a reboot or something. I haven’t spoken to her directly, so it’s just hearsay. But on top of that, I’m also hearing Disney is potentially interested in bringing Buffy back to the screen too.

Spike played a significant role in Buffy for most of its seasons, and James Marsters, the actor who played him, has remained a beloved figure among fans even years after the show finished. His potential return suggests the continuation of the story would thoughtfully connect to the original series – and even Angel, where Marsters also appeared – while still focusing on the new Slayer played by Riley Armstrong and the return of Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers.

Bringing back characters like Spike presented a challenge for fans, mainly because he’s an undead vampire who doesn’t age. However, given the show’s flexible rules about the supernatural, there likely could have been a creative way to make it happen.

I was so excited when I heard rumors that Spike might be returning, and I really started preparing myself for it! I was doing tons and tons of sit-ups, getting into shape just in case. But it seems like that plan isn’t going to happen with this version, which is a real disappointment.

What Masters did to prepare for the role was remarkable. Spending time revisiting old episodes to get back into the character’s head wasn’t just for a quick appearance; it hinted at a bigger plan. Even without seeing a full script, these efforts suggest Spike’s return was intended to be a meaningful part of the show’s overall story, not just a brief nod to the past.

The cancellation is especially disappointing because the revival was really starting to find its footing creatively. Having Zhao involved lent the show some serious credibility, and Gellar’s return excited longtime fans. The idea of Buffy taking on a new Slayer as a mentor also felt like a smart direction for the franchise. Balancing expectations for a show as popular as Buffy the Vampire Slayer was always going to be a challenge, though.

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2026-04-08 17:47