Hulu has officially scrapped the planned Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival New Sunnydale, actress Sarah Michelle Gellar announced on March 13, 2026 during the SXSW festival in Austin. In an Instagram video shared on Saturday, Gellar said she wanted fans to hear the news from her directly, adding: “I am really sad to have to share this, but I want you all to hear it from me. Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward with Buffy: New Sunnydale.”
The pilot had attracted high-profile names: Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao — who helmed Nomadland — directed the episode and was credited with persuading Gellar to reconsider returning to the role after years of hesitation. “I wanna thank Chloé Zhao because I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish yet affordable boots,” Gellar said in the video, emphasizing Zhao’s role in rekindling her connection to the character. Gellar closed on a light note, promising fans, “If the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me.”
Entertainment Weekly reported that while Hulu pulled the plug on this incarnation, the streamer remains interested in the Buffy franchise and is exploring ways it might continue in another form. That leaves open the possibility that elements developed for New Sunnydale — including the creative team and new characters — could be repurposed or revived in a different format down the line.
The cancellation marks a sharp turn after more than a year of development and public conversation about reviving the beloved 1997–2003 series. Initial reports in February 2025 indicated a Hulu revival was in early talks with Zhao attached as director and executive producer and sisters Nora and Lilla Zuckerman (Poker Face) signed on as writers. In May of last year Gellar announced that Ryan Kiera Armstrong had been cast as a new slayer to star alongside her, signaling the project was moving forward in earnest.
Gellar’s return had been contingent on the creative team convincing her the revival could “get it right.” She has publicly described being cautious about revisiting Buffy after two decades away, saying a lengthy, enthusiastic meeting with Zhao helped change her mind. The New Sunnydale concept was pitched as a blend of old and new, with Gellar hinting it would be lighter than the later seasons of the original while updating themes such as outsider identity in the age of social media.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer spawned a lasting fandom and the spinoff Angel, which ran from 1999 to 2004. For many fans, news of a revival generated excitement and debate; the cancellation of New Sunnydale will likely reignite those conversations about what form a modern Buffy could take and whether Hulu’s interest can translate into another creative approach. For now, fans must wait to see whether the franchise will be reborn in a different guise or remain in limbo after this latest development.
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