‘Buffy’ Revival: Sarah Michelle Gellar Slams Fake Leaks, but Could More Cast Members Return?

The Hellmouth is rumbling once again. Sarah Michelle Gellar has confirmed her return to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe in a long-awaited Hulu revival—but she’s also taking a stake to some false rumors circulating online.

Speaking to Elite Daily, Gellar directly addressed so-called “leaked” character descriptions that hit the internet last month. According to the actress, not one word of it is true. “Those are all fake characters,” she said. “That thing that got released is all fake.”

Fans were quick to latch onto the idea of new teenage leads like Nova, Hugo, and Gracie—but Gellar insists those reports were pure fiction.

The real story, it seems, is still under wraps. However, one confirmed detail is that the show will continue to center LGBTQ and outsider perspectives, much like the original. “That’s who I want to tell stories for,” Gellar said, reaffirming that inclusivity remains at the heart of the franchise.

While Gellar is officially on board, one big question remains: will any other original cast members return? At this point, no names have been mentioned, but longtime fans are hopeful. Alyson Hannigan (Willow), David Boreanaz (Angel), and James Marsters (Spike) have all expressed varying degrees of openness to revisiting their roles in the past, and a return—however brief—could help bridge the new story with the old.

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The revival is being developed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao (Eternals, Nomadland), whose pitch finally got Gellar to say yes after years of turning down offers. “Every pitch I heard was just like, ‘Let’s just do Buffy again,’” Gellar explained. “But [Zhao’s] passion… it was the first time I thought, ‘OK, there’s a reason.’”

The show’s pilot is being written by Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, known for their work on Poker Face, and Zhao will also direct. Dolly Parton, who many fans were surprised to learn helped produce the original, is returning under her Sandollar Productions banner.

Hulu is reportedly nearing a pilot order, but until more is revealed, fans should tread lightly—because even in Sunnydale, not everything you hear is true.

Where Can I Stream Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is now streaming on Disney+.

Buffy stars Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), David Boreanaz (Angel), Anthony Head (Rupert Giles), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Seth Green (Oz), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Eliza Dushku (Faith), and James Marsters (Spike).

How do you feel about the upcoming Buffy revival? Let us know in the comments down below!