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Hulu declined to order Buffy: New Sunnydale beyond its pilot. Sarah Michelle Gellar said an unnamed executive involved with the project was not a fan of the original series and repeatedly said he had not watched all of it. That is the clearest reported explanation for the reboot’s uphill battle, but it is Gellar’s account—not an official explanation from Hulu.
What happened to Buffy: New Sunnydale?
On March 14, 2026, Sarah Michelle Gellar announced that Hulu would not move forward with Buffy: New Sunnydale. Hulu had ordered a pilot in February 2025, and the pilot was filmed in summer 2025; the service ultimately did not order the project to series. Variety and TVLine reported the decision and production timeline.
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The proposed sequel would have followed a new Slayer played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong, with Gellar returning as Buffy in a recurring role. Chloé Zhao was attached to direct and executive-produce, while Nora and Lila Zuckerman were attached as writers and showrunners. The original series ran for seven seasons, from 1997 to 2003; Joss Whedon was not involved in the proposed project, according to Variety and The Guardian.
What reason did Sarah Michelle Gellar give?
In a People interview reported by the Los Angeles Times, Gellar said an unnamed executive working on the project “was not only not a fan of the original, but was proud to constantly remind us that he had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn’t for him.” She said the project faced an “uphill battle” from the start.
#1 Best Overall
Gellar’s comments are an attributed account, not confirmation from Hulu. The Los Angeles Times reported that she did not identify the executive and that Hulu had not immediately responded to the outlet’s request for comment. The executive’s identity and perspective are not established in that reporting.
Was the pilot rejected because of its quality, cost, or creative direction?
The available reporting does not establish a specific formal reason for Hulu’s decision. It does not confirm that the pilot was rejected because of its scripts, direction, casting, budget, audience prospects, or performance. Gellar’s account may help explain the friction she experienced, but it does not prove that the executive’s reported attitude was the sole or documented reason Hulu passed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Could the Buffy reboot still happen elsewhere?
There is no confirmed new home for the filmed pilot. TVLine reported that it was not known whether this particular project would be shopped to another service. Variety, citing a source close to the show, reported that there was still “a lot of love” for the franchise at Hulu and that the door remained open to future iterations. That leaves room for another Buffy project, but no new version or platform has been confirmed.
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- Buffy Complete Series
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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