Buffy the Vampire Slayer is back. After years of speculation, Sarah Michelle Gellar is returning to the role that made her a genre icon, but she’s also stepping in to stop the spread of misinformation. In a new interview, Gellar has debunked several “leaked” character details making the rounds online, calling them out for what they are: fake.
“Those are all fake characters,” Gellar told Elite Daily, referencing a rumored list of newcomers supposedly set to lead the Hulu revival. Names like Nova, Hugo, and Gracie were widely circulated last month, along with claims that Gellar would only be returning in a limited capacity. But the actress has now driven a stake through those rumors.
“That thing that got released is all fake,” she said.
However, with no formal confirmation from Hulu, it’s entirely possible that Gellar’s appearance will be limited in the upcoming Buffy revival. A legacy cameo? A mentor role? Nothing’s off the table—except for those rumors, of course.
What is confirmed, though, is that the new series is being helmed by two-time Oscar winner Chloé Zhao (Nomadland), who reportedly convinced Gellar to come back with a pitch that felt fresh, urgent, and genuinely worth revisiting. “It was the first time where I thought, ‘OK, there’s a reason,’” Gellar said of Zhao’s approach.
Related: Why the ‘Buffy: Resurrection’ Trailer Sets the Stage for the Reboot
And like the original series, which became a pop culture touchstone for LGBTQ viewers and outsiders alike, the revival promises to continue championing underrepresented voices. “The whole point of an antihero is to be a hero for the people who don’t fit in the box,” Gellar explained. “That’s who I want to tell stories for.”
The series is being written by Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, whose credits include Poker Face, and Zhao is attached to direct the pilot. Dolly Parton, who quietly produced the original series, is also back under her Sandollar banner.
Whether Gellar is back to slay or simply to pass the torch, one thing is certain: when it comes to Buffy, don’t believe everything you read—unless it comes from Buffy herself.
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).
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