‘Buffy’ Reboot Dead at Hulu, Sarah Michelle Gellar Confirms

Hulu has decided not to move forward with Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Latest Sunnydale, the planned continuation series that would have featured Sarah Michelle Gellar reprising her role as the iconic Slayer. Gellar shared the news with fans on Saturday, March 14, 2026, via a statement on her Instagram account.

Gellar’s Statement and Appreciation

Gellar expressed her disappointment but thanked Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao for her function on the project. “I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me,” she wrote. “Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward with ‘Buffy: New Sunnydale.’ I want to thank Chloé Zhao, as I never thought I’d find myself back in Buffy’s stylish yet affordable boots, and thanks to Chloé I was reminded how much I love her, and how much she means—not only to me, but to all of you. And this doesn’t change any of that. And I promise, if the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me.”

Development and Cast

The series was first announced in February 2025 with a pilot order. Zhao was set to direct and executive-produce, with Nora and Lilla Zuckerman writing the script. The planned cast included Ryan Kiera Armstrong as Nova, Faly Rakotohavana as Hugo, Ava Jean as Larkin, Sarah Bock as Gracie, Daniel Di Tomasso as Abe, and Jack Cutmore-Scott as Mr. Burke. A pilot episode was filmed last year, generating significant fan interest.

Reasons for Cancellation

Sources indicate that the pilot was considered “not perfect,” and Zhao’s creative sensibility may not have been the ideal fit for the reboot. Despite this, Hulu reportedly remains interested in the Buffy IP and is considering future iterations of the franchise.

Gellar’s Involvement and Previous Statements

Gellar had been closely involved in the development process, initially hesitant but ultimately convinced by Zhao’s vision. She previously reassured fans in January that any delays were due to the creative team’s commitment to ensuring the series did not “sully the legacy” of the original show. Her role in the pilot was described as a brief and mysterious cameo, with plans for a more substantial presence in subsequent episodes that will now not be made.

Fan Reactions and Previous Support

The cancellation comes as a surprise given the support the reboot had garnered from fans of the original series and former cast members, some of whom had expressed a desire to return. Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia Chase in the original series, had previously expressed hope for a return after her character’s “unjust” ending.

Variety and Deadline first reported the news.