Ryan Kiera Armstrong’s Favorite Buffy Episode: A True Fan’s Choice

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Ryan Kiera Armstrong, who will star as the new Slayer in the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, is a big fan of the original show. As the reboot nears its 2026 release, we’re learning more about Armstrong’s character, Nova – a quiet teenager who will be trained by Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy.

With the potential reboot still a few years away, fans are enjoying re-runs of the original seven seasons of Buffy. While not every episode is a winner – remember “Beer Bad”? – Buffy the Vampire Slayer includes some of the best television episodes ever made, like the nearly silent “Hush” and the musical “Once More, with Feeling.” Armstrong considers one particular Buffy episode to be a true standout.

New Slayer Ryan Kiera Armstrong’s Favorite Buffy Episode Is “The Body”

Ryan Kiera Armstrong is a rising star who’s already appeared in several well-known films and TV series, including a movie with Ethan Hawke called The Lowdown. She recently spoke with TVLine about The Lowdown, and the conversation naturally shifted to her work on Buffy.

After filming the pilot for the new Buffy series, Armstrong spoke highly of her co-star, Sarah Michelle Gellar. She called Gellar a “legend” and expressed how wonderful it was to see Gellar’s dedication to the project, encouraging fans to look forward to the show.

Armstrong shared that she grew up watching the original series and was currently rewatching it. She admitted her favorite episode is season 5’s “The Body,” saying, “It’s sad, but it’s hard to pick a favorite… I’ll just leave it at that.”

Often considered one of the best Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes, alongside “Hush” and “Once More, with Feeling,” “The Body” powerfully portrays the raw experience of grief. What makes this episode stand out is its realism – it avoids typical supernatural elements and uses no music, focusing instead on the difficult and painful reality of loss after Joyce Summers’ sudden death.

As a huge fan, I’ve always thought “The Body” was special, but it’s amazing to see it’s widely considered one of the greatest TV episodes ever. Everyone talks about Sarah Michelle Gellar’s performance – and rightfully so, it’s incredible! What really struck me, and a lot of other people, is how genuinely real the episode felt in showing how someone would react to finding out a loved one had died.

Why Armstrong Proves She’s A True Buffy Fan By Picking “The Body”

While “The Body” is an incredibly well-made episode of Buffy, its sad and serious themes mean most fans wouldn’t consider it a favorite. That’s what makes Ryan Kiera Armstrong naming it as hers so meaningful – it shows how much she truly understands and appreciates the show.

Armstrong’s respect for Gellar is a good sign for the upcoming Buffy revival and its lead actress. It shows Armstrong understands the high level of skill needed to star in a complex show like Buffy, and she’s committed to finding someone who can deliver.

Though much of the original Buffy series can be campy and silly, it’s also packed with devastating, heartbreaking moments, some of which are too upsetting to experience again. For example, “Seeing Red” is a Buffy episode many skip on a rewatch because of Spike’s disturbing assault attempt on Buffy. However, despite it arguably being Buffy‘s saddest episode, almost no fan would ever skip “The Body.”

The show’s success stems from the actors’ strong performances and the audience’s connection to the characters. Anya’s “No one will tell me why” monologue and Buffy’s discovery of Joyce’s body are particularly memorable scenes, showcasing some of the best acting on television. This resonated with Emma Caulfield Ford, and her popularity with Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans increased after she shared her favorite episode.

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2025-12-07 21:58