Credit: 20th Century StudiosThis article has been updated.
It was announced earlier this year that the beloved ’90s series Buffy the Vampire Slayer is being resurrected for a new generation. Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman (Poker Face) are on writing duties, while Chloé Zhao (Marvel’s Eternals, Nomadland) is attached to direct and executive produce, alongside Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, Kaz Kuzui, Dolly Parton (all four served as EPs on the original Buffy series), and Sarah Michelle Gellar herself.
Gellar, 47, is also reprising her role as Buffy Summers.
However, in April, a report from TVLine claimed that the Buffy revival series would focus on a brand-new cast. As likely as this is, the report also made some other bold claims.
According to the article, Gellar would be “a recurring guest star,” with the series allegedly focusing on a new Slayer and “the next chapter in the Buffyverse.”
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It added that the main character would be a 16-year-old girl named Nova, who is “very smart and a bit of a loner.” Her friends are Hugo, “an out-and-proud nerd who comes from money,” and Gracie, “a young expert on vampires who’s an acolyte of Gellar’s Buffy.”
However, Gellar recently spoke to Elite Daily to confirm that the report in question is false. “Those are all fake characters,” Gellar said bluntly. “That thing that got released is all fake.”
Still, presence of three young characters at the forefront would mirror the original show’s lineup: Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon), and Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan). Buffy, it seems, will take over from Anthony Heads’ Rupert Giles, who was her mentor in the original series, known more officially as a Watcher.
Following news of the revival, Gellar took to Instagram to write a lengthy statement to her fans. “I have always listened to the fans and heard your desire to revisit Buffy and her world, but it was not something I could do unless I was sure we would get it right,” she said.
“This has been a long process, and it’s not over yet,” she continued. “I promise you, we will only make this show if we know we can do it right. And I will tell you that we are on the path there. I feel so lucky to be on this journey with these four unbelievably talented women, all of whom love Buffy as much as I do. And as much as you do. Thank you to all the fans who never stopped asking for this. This will be for you.”
Related: ‘Wednesday’ Actress Could Play New Vampire Slayer in ‘Buffy’ Reboot
Recently, Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Gellar’s on-screen sister Dawn Summers in the original series, tragically passed away aged 39. It’s rumored that Trachtenberg was expected to reprise her role alongside Gellar in the revival series.
In the wake of Trachtenberg’s passing, Gellar wrote a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, saying, “Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you,” which is a reference to a line Buffy says to her sister in the Season 5 finale, “The Gift.”
No other original cast members besides Sarah Michelle Gellar have been confirmed. However, many of them, including David Boreanaz (Angel), James Marsters (Spike), and Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), have expressed support to Gellar on social media.
Where Can I Stream Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is now streaming on Disney+.
Buffy stars Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), David Boreanaz (Angel), Anthony Head (Rupert Giles), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Seth Green (Oz), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Eliza Dushku (Faith), and James Marsters (Spike).
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