BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Revival Series Details on New Lead, Supporting Cast, and Gellar’s Return as Mentor Slayer
As you’ve heard, the Hellmouth’s cracking open again, and this time a new generation of vampire slayers are stepping up.
Following the announcement that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is officially getting a revival series on Hulu, we now have a breakdown of the new characters who’ll be joining Sarah Michelle Gellar, who’s set to return as Buffy Summers, just in a different capacity.
Gellar won’t be the central figure in the action this time, but rather a guiding presence as a mentor to a fresh young Slayer named Nova.
According to insider Daniel Richtman, Nova is the series' lead, a teenage vampire hunter trying to juggle high school life with her nighttime calling. Think classic Buffy, but reimagined through a 2020s lens.
Here’s what we know about the new characters joining the Buffyverse:
Nova – High school vampire hunter. Determined and fearless. The new Slayer-in-training. LEAD
Abe – Nova’s father, a devoted photojournalist. LEAD
Mr. Burke – The school librarian with a dark twist: he becomes a vampire. LEAD
Cole – The confident alpha of the group. Natural-born leader. LEAD
Hugo – Wealthy, nerdy, awkward, crushing on Nova. LEAD
Gracie – Nova’s best friend, obsessed with myths and—fittingly—a huge Buffy fan. LEAD
Mia – A social media addict who accidentally gets pulled into the supernatural world. SUPPORTING
Casting is open ethnicity, with the call looking for actual teens or actors in their 20s for all teenage roles.
Gellar, who’s kept mostly quiet about the project shared a heartfelt message on Instagram that gives some real insight into why she’s decided to return after all these years.
“So….. you might have heard some news this week, but I realize you haven’t heard from me. Three years ago, I got a call from my dear friend and mentor, Gail Berman. She told me that she wanted me to sit down with Chloé Zhao to hear her take on a potential “Buffy” revival.
“I was blown away that Chloé even knew who I was, but, as I’ve always done, I told Gail that I just didn’t see a way for the show to exist again. We’d always been aligned on that, but this time I heard something different in her voice. 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. While I didn’t agree to anything at that meeting, I did shock myself by agreeing to continue the conversation.
“These conversations did, in fact, continue over the next few years and eventually we added the incredible Nora and Lilla Zuckerman to our little tribe until ultimately, one day, we landed on an idea. 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.
“This has been a long process, and it’s not over yet. 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.”
At this point, there’s no word on who else from the original cast might return, but Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase) recently expressed interest in joining if the opportunity arises.
“From what I understand, there isn’t even a pilot at the moment, so I hope — if I am involved — I hope so in some fashion it’s more in a substantive way. That would be my dream.”
Behind the scenes, the series is being developed by Nora and Lilla Zuckerman (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Poker Face) who are writing, showrunning, and executive producing.
Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao (Eternals, Nomadland) will direct the pilot and executive produce via her Book of Shadows banner. Gellar is also on board as an executive producer, alongside original series vets Gail Berman, Fran and Kaz Kuzui, and even Dolly Parton.
I’m looking forward to seeing how this new Buffy series turns out!