Sarah Michelle Gellar Explains Why “Buffy The Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale” Isn’t a Sequel or Reboot and Shares the Reasons for Its Delay
Sarah Michelle Gellar Discusses New ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Continuation Series
Sarah Michelle Gellar has provided new details about the upcoming continuation series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which she is developing alongside acclaimed director Chloé Zhao. Hulu has officially ordered a pilot for the series, titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale.
“It’s not a sequel, it’s not a reboot — it’s a continuation,” Gellar explained during an interview on the Shut Up, Evan podcast. She emphasized that the series intends to explore Buffy’s current life and the world surrounding her, noting, “So it’s not a reboot, it’s not picking up with all of the same characters right away. It is not like a sequel… That’s why the name was even important to me — Buffy: New Sunnydale. It’s Buffy, but it’s also something else.”
While Gellar did not unveil additional specifics in her recent remarks, she reflected on her initial hesitation about revisiting the iconic role. “I will eat my words, and I’m OK with that — I learned my lesson,” she stated. “I never saw how and why it could be as good [as the original series]. I’m not trying to be better. I just want to hold and honor the memory and what we created.”
Gellar acknowledged the complex emotions fans may have regarding the legacy of the show, expressing pride in the original series and its passionate cast and crew.
Zhao’s enthusiasm for the project ultimately changed Gellar’s perspective. “Chloé Zhao came to me and not just her passion, because I’ve seen people with passion before, but she knew how to go into the world. She knew what the world was, and she knew the way,” Gellar noted. “And that was the first time I said, ‘Maybe, could I possibly do this? And this went on for three years now… me and Chloé going back and forth.”
As the development of New Sunnydale continues, Gellar highlighted her commitment to ensuring the series aligns with the vision they have set out. “I know this seems like it’s taking a long time, and it’s because unless we are sure that it is exactly what we set out to do and that it makes sense to do it, we don’t want to sell you the legacy by not. When I know it’s perfect, then it will be out there, but I won’t do it unless I know it can be that.”
