Vampires beware, Buffy is coming back

Buffy the Vampire Slayer herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar, has confirmed the return of the cult classic show, more than two decades after the final episode aired.

In an Instagram post on Friday, Gellar corroborated early reports a reboot was in the works, and revealed she had been in talks for the project for three years.

Gellar, who had maintained for decades the beloved series was complete and there would be no return to Sunnydale, said she had reluctantly taken a meeting with Oscar-winning director and self-professed life-long Buffy fan Chloé Zhao.

“I just didn’t see a way for the show to exist again … [But] I eventually agreed to go (mainly just to meet Chloé) and our twenty-minute coffee quickly turned into a four-hour adventure. We laughed, we cried, but mostly we both talked about how much this show means to us,” she said in the post.

“While I didn’t agree to anything at that meeting, I did shock myself by agreeing to continue the conversation.”

Gellar did not reveal any plot details or whether other fan favourites would make a return, but Variety has reported the series will focus on a new vampire slayer, with Gellar appearing in a recurring role rather than leading the series.

Buffy buffs rejoiced in the comment section: “I’m crying, sobbing and throwing up. I won’t lie that I’m very scared with all sorts of reboots or revisits so ... the news made me torn this week. But with this post, I cried from happiness and I’m happy because I trust you and your love and devotion to Buffy,” one said.

“My millennial heart needed this. Thank you,” said another.

The original series ended in 2003 after running for seven seasons and followed Buffy Summers, a teen trying to live a normal life despite being destined to protect the world from evil.

Gellar had hinted at the slipping of her resolve, telling The Drew Barrymore Show in December last year other successful reboots had inspired her.

“I always used to say no because it’s in its bubble, and it’s so perfect. But watching Sex and the City and seeing Dexter, and realising there are ways to do it, definitely does get your mind thinking ‘Well, maybe’,” she said.

Gellar said Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, who wrote and helmed Poker Face, had joined the revival and reassured fans the team would do the project justice.

“I have always listened to the fans and heard your desire to revisit ‘Buffy’ and her world … 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.”

Dolly Parton, whose company Sandollar was producer on the original Buffy, will executive-produce the pilot, according to Deadline.

The original Buffy is available to stream on Stan, owned by Nine, which also owns this masthead.

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