Sarah Michelle Gellar announced Saturday that Hulu has decided not to move forward with the much-anticipated Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, a setback for fans and a project that had already been in production. The halt comes after the series—titled Buffy: New Sunnydale—was first revealed in February 2025 and began filming in Los Angeles this August.
What happened: the cancelation, in Gellar’s words
In an Instagram video shared with her 4.9 million followers, Gellar said, “So, I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me.” She confirmed that Hulu “has decided not to move forward with ‘Buffy: New Sunnydale.'”
Gellar also thanked filmmaker Chloé Zhao, who had been attached as director and executive producer. “I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish yet affordable boots, and thanks to Chloé, I was reminded how much I love her,” she said. She closed with a nod to the original series’ humor: “And I promise, if the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me.”
What the series was and who was involved
- Title: Buffy: New Sunnydale (also referenced as Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale).
- Format: Sequel/reboot of the 1990s/2000s supernatural drama that ended in 2003.
- Creative leads: Chloé Zhao (director, executive producer); Sarah Michelle Gellar (recurring role, executive producer).
- Production: Announced February 2025; filming reportedly began in Los Angeles in August.
- Premise: Focused on a new slayer while connecting to the original world and characters.
Context from the cast and press
Earlier coverage, including an interview Gellar gave to Vanity Fair, suggested the new series would strike a lighter tone than the darker late seasons of the original show. Gellar described plans to “find a balance between new and old characters,” and her “dream” of bringing back deceased characters while still making room for new stories.
Why it matters now
This cancellation matters because production had already been underway and a high-profile creative team was involved—Gellar returning in an on-screen capacity and Zhao directing. It would have been one of Hulu’s flagship legacy reboots and a major event for Buffy fans who have followed the franchise since the 1990s.
Industry signals and next steps
Variety reported a source close to the project saying Hulu has “a lot of love” for Buffy and that “basically, the door is still open” for related projects. A request for comment to Hulu was not immediately answered, according to reports.
Fan reaction and what to expect
Fans reacted quickly on social platforms after Gellar’s Instagram, expressing disappointment and gratitude for her involvement. With production paused and no formal series pick-up, the most likely near-term outcomes are development shifts: the material could be reworked, shopped to other outlets, or reimagined as a different type of Buffy project.
For now, Buffy’s world stays in limbo—Gellar’s message keeps the franchise alive in fans’ minds, even if this particular chapter has ended for the moment.