Sarah Michelle Gellar's BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Journey: A Tale of Sacrifice and Triumph

Sarah Michelle Gellar, the star of the classic supernatural series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, graced television screens with some incredible unforgettable moments, but behind the scenes, the making of the show was a demanding journey that took its toll on Gellar. The actress’s commitment to portraying Buffy, the vampire-slaying heroine, meant navigating challenges that extended beyond the supernatural world.

Shooting over 140 episodes across seven seasons was a formidable task, especially considering Gellar's age during the series' production. As you might imagine, the intensity of the workload created a challenging environment on set.

Gellar's dedication to her role didn't go unnoticed by her co-stars. Alyson Hannigan, who portrayed Buffy's best friend Willow, acknowledged the pressure Gellar faced, revealing that by the third season, the star began to feel the strain. Gellar's commitment translated into grueling 18-hour workdays, earning her respect but also leading to burnout.

Hannigan said in an interview with HuffPost: "She worked her butt off. I mean obviously, she was Buffy. She worked 18-hour days for years [...] she was the most tired cuz she worked the hardest."

In an industry where advocating for oneself was rare, Gellar used her position to set boundaries, standing up for both herself and the cast. Seth Green, who played Oz, commended her for ensuring the well-being of the team, even if it meant being labeled a diva or difficult to work with.

Gellar also spoke out against unsafe conditions and excessive working hours. In a job where a 13-hour day often extended beyond, she took a stand for the cast and crew. Despite the criticism, Gellar remained unfazed, recognizing that her commitment to the job sometimes came with a reputation.

Green explained to THR: "That show was just hard. We were working crazy hours, and a lot of things that got pushed weren't necessarily safe or under the best conditions. Sarah was always the first one to say, 'We agreed this was a 13-hour day and it's hour 15 — we've got to wrap,' or, 'Hey, this shot doesn't seem safe,' when nobody else would stick up for the cast and crew. I saw her get called a b –ch, a diva, all these things that she's not — just because she was taking the mantle of saying and doing the right thing."

As Gellar reflected on her time on Buffy, she acknowledged the toll it took on her, leading her to mellow out in her expectations of others. The actress recognized the changing landscape of television, where shorter seasons are now the norm, alleviating the intense demands she faced during the show's original run.

Gallar said: "There was a time when I had a reputation of being ... difficult. Anyone that knows me knows it came from the fact that I always put in 100 percent. I never understood people who don't. I've mellowed a bit in [my expectations of others] — I think because I got burned out."

In a pre-#MeToo era, Gellar's experiences on set were emblematic of a normalized industry culture and actors didn’t really stand up for themselves the way they do now when they were mistreated. She highlighted the shift in attitudes, noting that mistreatment is no longer tolerated, and actors can advocate for themselves without fear.

The actress said: "When I grew up, people screamed on sets: actors, directors, everybody. It doesn't happen anymore. If someone comes out on set screaming, it's like: 'Peace out!' No one needs to be treated like that — we've established that.'"

Gellar's perceived reputation as difficult or assertive didn't deter her. In fact, she saw it as an opportunity to navigate with fewer expectations. The actress, despite her success, admitted to some overconfidence during the show's production, acknowledging that experience doesn't necessarily equate to wisdom.

She explained: "If people think you're a b –ch, it's almost better. There's less expectation that way.” She added “I was a little cocky. By 20 I'd had, like, 15 years of experience. But you also don't know shit when you're that age [...] People like to think I was a lot tougher or more secure than I actually was."

As Gellar reflected on her time, she recognized the sacrifices made, the missed opportunities for other culturally significant films, but ultimately found pride in creating a groundbreaking television show. "I also made a great television show," she concluded, encapsulating the complex journey of a young actress who became a TV legend.