Sarah Michelle Gellar says Buffy reboot was killed by executive who was ‘proud’ to have NEVER seen the original show

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Sarah Michelle Gellar says a revival of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ fell apart because an executive openly admitted to never having watched the original show, and seemed proud of it.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, the 48-year-old actress best known for playing Buffy Summers in the popular TV series that ran from 1997 to 2003, recently discussed the surprising cancellation of the planned reboot by Hulu in an interview with People magazine.

She explained that a guest on their show openly disliked the original series, and repeatedly pointed out he hadn’t even watched it all, making it clear it wasn’t to his taste.

It’s incredibly challenging taking on a show as cherished as Buffy, especially for someone like me and Chloe, who both grew up loving it. That’s what it feels like, working on this reboot with director Chloe Zhao – a huge responsibility to honor something so special.

Gellar explained that they faced a constant struggle from the very beginning, especially since a top executive openly admitted to not even bothering to watch it.

She explained that the fans were the main reason they even started the show, saying, ‘We did it because people really enjoyed it. It’s hard to continue a show that’s loved by many when someone involved doesn’t feel the same way.’

Gellar did not name the Hulu executive.

The actress received the surprising news just before she was scheduled to present her new film, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, at the SXSW Film & TV Festival on March 11th.

‘Let me tell you, nobody saw this coming, including the head of Searchlight [Pictures],’ she said. 

I received the news just as we were about to go on stage for the movie’s premiere, which happened to be the same weekend Chloe was at the Oscars, nominated as Best Director for ‘Hamnet’.

To get a call on Friday, the day Chloe should have been celebrating a fantastic film and my own premiere after so much hard work… it really speaks volumes.

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Charisma Carpenter had filmed a pilot episode for a new version of the show, bringing back the beloved character Buffy. The plan was for Buffy to mentor a new slayer, a 16-year-old actress named Ryan Kiera Armstrong, while continuing her own adventures.

Sarah Michelle Gellar explained that she enjoyed how the new slayer character mirrored Buffy at the beginning of the original series, while also allowing them to explore how Buffy had grown and changed over time.

Gellar described Armstrong as a phenomenal talent and expressed her disappointment that audiences won’t get to see her shine in the role.

Oh my gosh, you guys, I just heard from Gellar, and she talked to Zhao! Apparently, we’re all feeling it – that crushing disappointment. She said they’re both on the same page about it, which… honestly, makes me feel a little better knowing I’m not alone in being totally heartbroken!

We really didn’t want to disappoint our fans, and it’s upsetting when that happens. She was also disappointed with how and when things were dealt with.

As for what will happen to the project, Gellar said that it’s too soon to tell.

Oh my gosh, you guys, it’s amazing! I just read that Sarah Michelle Gellar said she’s actually HEARD from everyone from the original Buffy cast – even David Boreanaz! She was just going on and on about how close they still are, and it totally made my day. It’s so heartwarming to know they’ve all stayed connected after all these years! Seriously, it’s the best news ever!

She also spoke directly to the show’s fans, emphasizing that ‘Buffy’ remains relevant and its impact hasn’t faded with time.

Gellar shared the news of the show’s cancellation with fans earlier this week, saying she was ‘really sad’ and excited about the prospect of wearing Buffy’s ‘stylish and affordable boots’ again.

Gellar’s somber demeanor appeared to reflect her mood in a video posted to Instagram on Saturday.

The actress, wearing a beige cardigan with her blonde hair tied back, announced that Hulu, which is owned by Disney, has cancelled plans for the ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale’ reboot.

TMZ reports that Sarah Michelle Gellar and the show’s director, Zhao, were surprised and upset by the news, and felt it was poorly timed.

Gellar spent a moment to thank Zhao in her message.

She said that Chloe helped her remember how much she loves Buffy and how important the show is to her and to all the fans, and that this realization hasn’t changed anything.

‘And I promise, if the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me.’

Armstrong also shared a video with her emotional response to the news.

She expressed her gratitude for the incredible support viewers have shown her and the show over the past few months, calling it a truly special experience.

Armstrong seemed very emotional, saying she was incredibly proud of the show and disappointed that audiences wouldn’t get to see it, but she still cherished the experience.

She thanked Geller and Zhao, along with her wonderful co-stars and the fans who supported her and the show’s revival. She shared that they created this new installment for the fans, emphasizing Buffy’s lasting impact and hinting at more to come in the future.

The sequel series was first announced in February 2025.

The original Buffy the Vampire Slayer was incredibly popular and had a big impact on culture. It was a major success for the WB, thanks to its clever writing and Sarah Michelle Gellar’s compelling portrayal of a strong, multi-faceted main character.

The TV series, inspired by the 1992 movie with Kristy Swanson, premiered in 1997 and ran for seven seasons.

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2026-03-17 17:19