How Sarah Michelle Gellar Was Convinced To Join The Buffy The Vampire Slayer Revival By EP Chloé Zhao

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a fantastic supernatural teen drama and remains my all-time favorite show. I was incredibly excited to hear Sarah Michelle Gellar was involved in a revival, and even more so when it was greenlit for a full season. Buffy is returning, and Sarah Michelle Gellar recently shared how producer and director Chloé Zhao persuaded her to reprise her iconic role as the Slayer.

Hulu currently has the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer available for streaming, and the upcoming revival will also be released there. Sarah Michelle Gellar, who famously played Buffy, had previously said she wasn’t interested in reprising the role, but a conversation with Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao changed her mind. Gellar told Vanity Fair that she appreciates the new ideas Zhao is bringing to the series, saying:

Chloé deserves all the credit for her forward-thinking approach. Her global perspective allows us to aim higher and accomplish more.

Chloé Zhao won an Oscar for Nomadland because of her unique and artistic approach to filmmaking – the film was both emotionally powerful and visually stunning. Now, fans are eager to see what she’ll do with Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale, a continuation of the beloved series after its excellent conclusion.

Hulu + Live TV for $64.99 a Month

Both the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the new series will be streaming on Hulu. New and returning Hulu subscribers (those who cancelled over a month ago) can sign up for Hulu + Live TV for $64.99 a month for the first three months. After that, the Basic plan costs $89.99 per month. See the deal here.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer remains incredibly popular with a dedicated fanbase who continue to watch and discuss the show, keeping it relevant in today’s culture. Because of this, any revival carries a lot of anticipation and strong opinions about preserving the show’s original spirit. Sarah Michelle Gellar also noted that the new showrunner, Zhao, is a longtime fan, saying:

This version is coming from the true fan that is desperate to revisit the world, not reinvent.

Good news for dedicated Buffy fans! The director of Eternals (available on Disney+) is a big fan of the original show, which suggests the upcoming revival is in capable hands. Director Zhao has hinted that more original cast members will be joining Sarah Michelle Gellar, and I’m excited to see who appears in the new version of Sunnydale.

Having Sarah Michelle Gellar back as Buffy Summers is a major win for the show. This isn’t a reboot, but rather a continuation of the story that fans already enjoy. As Zhao explained to Vanity Fair about the actress reprising her iconic role:

Sarah Michelle Gellar truly understands Buffy like no one else, and her support was essential for me to move forward with this project. We’re aiming to recapture the special connection fans have with her character and bring that same feeling to the new show.

Gellar was the lead actress for seven seasons of the original show, which meant demanding work like late nights, stunts, and extended filming schedules. Because of her deep understanding of the series, she’ll be a valuable asset in developing the new one.

We don’t know exactly when Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale will be available on Hulu, but it’s hoped the show will premiere sometime in 2026. While we wait, I plan to re-watch the original series and find out which familiar faces from the Scooby Gang will be in the new revival.

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2025-11-20 23:10