In 1997, TV viewers got to see actress Sarah Michelle Gellar take on a role that would define her acting career.
Starring in the supernatural drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer (which was a TV adaptation of the 1992 film), she portrayed titular character Buffy Summers. Set in the fictional Sunnydale, California, Buffy is chosen by fate to succeed a long line of young women who battle vampires, demon and other creatures of the dark. She tries to embrace her destiny while also dealing with the trials and tribulations that come with being a normal teenager.
After seven seasons on TV (and a five-season spinoff series called Angel), folks said goodbye to Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 2003. Since then, people continue to stream the hit drama and show it to new generations of television watchers. And if that's not enough, many have hoped for the day when Buffy would come back to their screens in the form of a television reboot.
Well, it looks like fans are finally getting what they want, thanks to the news of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot officially in development. But there's one major question on all of our minds: Is Sarah Michelle Gellar returning for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot?
Is Sarah Michelle Gellar going to be in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot?
Get ready, longtime TV fans — Buffy Summers is officially coming back to the small screen.
In February 2025, fans were shocked to learn that a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot was officially in the works at Hulu. Deadline was one of the first outlets to make the big announcement, along with sharing incredible news folks weren't expecting. Not only is she going to executive produce the new series, but Sarah Michelle Gellar will reprise her role as Buffy Summers in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot.
"So ... you might have heard some news this week, but I realize you haven’t heard from me," she wrote in a lengthy Instagram post on February 3. "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 ... Thank you to all the fans who never stopped asking for this. This will be for you."
Naturally, seeing this news from Sarah caused a commotion among fans on social media.
"Ahhhh!!!! CANNOT WAIT! 🔥," one person wrote in the comments. "I AM SOBBING YAAAASSS!!! 🙌," another exclaimed. "Yes we need you Buffy! This is the perfect time to come back! My dark heart is happy today 🖤🦇," a different follower added.
But that's not all Sarah has revealed about the new Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot. She also was on hand to deliver major news about who's starring in the new series, which was revealed on May 15. Posting a video on Instagram, Sarah welcomed Ryan Kiera Armstrong to the show in the lead role.
"From the moment I saw Ryan’s audition, I knew there was only one girl that I wanted by my side," she penned in the caption. "To have that kind of emotional intelligence, and talent, at such a young age is truly a gift. The bonus is that her smile lights up even the darkest room. Welcome to #NewSunnydale."
While details on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot are being kept under wraps, Sarah is clearly excited to reprise her beloved role once again. As she told People in March 2025, she's grateful that fans still feel the impact of the original series more than two decades after it first premiered on television.
"The fact that this show is still so impactful to the people that watched it the first time along with me, to young kids today that are just discovering it and feel like it still speaks to them, being able to bring more people to her, it's the greatest gift an actor could ever ask for. Truly," she said at the time.
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
