New ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Sequel Series in Development at Hulu

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A sequel series to the iconic 1990s show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is nearing a pilot order at Hulu, with Sarah Michelle Gellar in talks to reprise her role as Buffy Summers in a recurring capacity, Variety has learned. The project will focus on a new Slayer, with Gellar serving as a mentor figure.

Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman, known for their work on “Poker Face” and “Prodigal Son,” are attached to write, showrun, and executive produce the series. Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao (“Nomadland”) is set to direct and executive produce under her Book of Shadows production banner. Gellar will also executive produce alongside Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, Kaz Kuzui, and Dolly Parton, all of whom were involved in the original series.

20th Television and Searchlight Television will produce the project. Reps for Hulu and 20th TV declined to comment on the development.

Notably absent from the creative team is Joss Whedon, the creator of the original series. Whedon has faced allegations of creating a toxic work environment on both “Buffy” and its spinoff “Angel.” In 2022, Whedon acknowledged being “not mannerly” with actress Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia Chase, but denied broader misconduct claims.

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” first aired in 1997 and ran for seven seasons, becoming a cultural phenomenon. The series, which starred Gellar as a teenage vampire slayer, is credited with popularizing long-form storytelling in television and paving the way for strong female leads in genre shows. The original cast included Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendon, Anthony Stewart Head, and David Boreanaz, who later starred in the spinoff “Angel.”

The Zuckerman sisters bring a wealth of experience to the project, having worked on shows like “Fringe,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” and “Suits.” Zhao, meanwhile, is fresh off her historic Oscar win for “Nomadland” and her work on Marvel‘s “Eternals.”

If greenlit, the sequel series would join a growing list of revivals at Hulu, including “Futurama” and an upcoming “King of the Hill” reboot. The project marks the latest attempt to bring the “Buffy” universe back to the screen, following a failed reboot effort in 2018.

Gellar, who is currently starring in Paramount+’s “Dexter: Original Sin,” remains best known for her role as Buffy. The Zuckermans are also developing a series adaptation of the novel “The Spy Coast” at Amazon.