It’s laborious to consider that it was 22 years in the past when devoted followers of the supernatural present Buffy the Vampire Slayer mentioned goodbye to the feisty slayer and the Scooby gang, after a stable 7 seasons. With an unforgettable dynamic solid led by Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendon, and Anthony Stewart Head, the beloved supernatural drama swiftly took the world by storm upon its 1997 debut and shortly grew to become one in all tv’s most sensational and thrilling exhibits.
Created by Joss Whedon as a by-product from the unique 1992 film, the sequence adopted Buffy Summers as she battled in opposition to vampires and different unthinkable evil and harmful big-bads, with the assistance of her shut friends Willow and Xander and her sensible mentor Rupert Giles. The sequence garnered important and industrial acclaim all through its spectacular run and helped make its proficient ensemble bonafide superstars, profitable two Emmys and 6 Saturn Awards throughout its reign.
In February 2025, devoted followers of the smash hit sequence had been left each excited and anxious when information broke that Gellar was engaged on a revival sequence of Buffy the Vampire Slayer at Hulu, with the actress slated to reprise her iconic character in a recurring position within the untitled challenge, which is able to heart on a brand new slayer. The present might be each govt produced and directed by Oscar-winner and superfan Chloé Zhao, who notably helmed the 2020 drama Nomadland and have become the primary lady of colour to win Finest Director, although further plot and solid particulars are being saved underneath wraps. Here is what the solid of Buffy the Vampire Slayer have been as much as for the reason that sequence finale.
Up to date February 27, 2025: This text has been up to date in mild of Michelle Trachtenberg’s passing and the current information {that a} revival with Sarah Michelle Gellar is at present within the works.
Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers
Sarah Michelle Gellar skyrocketed to superstardom and amassed a loyal and dependable fanbase when she took on the titular position of the butt-kicking slayer Buffy Summers within the beloved ’90s juggernaut. The fierce and resilient heroine has since turn out to be a cultural icon and is broadly considered probably the greatest feminine characters to ever grace the small display screen. Throughout her tenure because the vampire hunter, Gellar additionally appeared in memorable film roles together with mega hits like I Know What You Did Final Summer time, Merciless Intentions, and Scooby-Doo.
The place They Are Now
Upon the present’s conclusion in 2003, she continued going through down supernatural beings when she headlined the remake of the Japanese horror flick The Grudge in addition to The Return, and remained a relentless presence on tv in Robotic Hen, The Ringer, and The Loopy Ones (reverse the late nice Robin Williams). Gellar returned to her horror roots in 2023 when she portrayed Kristin Ramsey within the supernatural teen drama Wolf Pack and likewise had a task within the Netflix black comedy Do Revenge.
Most not too long ago, Gellar started portraying Tanya Martin reverse Patrick Gibson and Christian Slater within the crime drama sequence Dexter: Authentic Sin, a prequel to the smash-hit Showtime unique Dexter. She is married to fellow actor Freddie Prinze Jr., with whom she has two kids. In February 2025, it was revealed that Gellar is about to return for a brand-new chapter within the slayer saga because the beloved Buffy Summers, with the challenge nearing a pilot order at Hulu and Academy Award-winner Chloé Zhao slated to function director and govt producer.
Nora and Lila Zuckerman are tapped to showrun, write, and govt produce the untitled revival, whereas the unique present’s producers, Fran Kuzui, Gail Berman, and Kaz Kuzui, are additionally returning to govt produce alongside Gellar. The seasoned star advised People who creating a revival has been “overwhelming” earlier than including, “It is heartwarming and thrilling and likewise extremely nerve-wracking on the identical time.” Gellar took to Instagram to reassure followers that they are going to get it proper in a heartfelt put up:
Alyson Hannigan as Willow Rosenberg
Sunnydale’s resident witch and Buffy’s BFF Willow Rosenberg was portrayed by Alyson Hannigan, with the actress taking on the position after unique star Riff Regan was changed on the request of community executives. She had beforehand appeared in comedies reminiscent of Impure Ideas and My Stepmother Is an Alien earlier than becoming a member of the present in 1997, and through its run she famously starred within the American Pie movie sequence as Michelle Flaherty, sharing the display screen with stars like Jason Biggs, Natasha Lyonne, and Seann William Scott.
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Hannigan had a massively profitable tv profession after ending Buffy, most notably portraying Lily Aldrin in the sitcom How I Met Your Mom from 2005 to 2014, and profitable two Individuals’s Alternative Awards within the course of. She has additionally had roles in exhibits together with That ’70s Present, Penn & Teller: Idiot Us, and Fancy Nancy. Hannigan participated in Season 32 of the dance competitors sequence Dancing with the Stars, ending in fifth place. She is married to Buffy co-star Alexis Desinof, with whom she shares two kids, a lot to the delight of followers.
Nicholas Brendon as Xander Harris
Buffy’s wise-cracking sidekick and the lovable everyman Xander Harris helps full the core of the Scooby gang, loyally helping the slayer as she took on every kind of terrifying monsters. Nicholas Brendon was thinking about taking over the position as a result of his character was primarily based on creator Joss Whedon himself, and the truth that the actor hated his personal highschool expertise.
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After the sequence ended, Brendon nabbed elements in movies like Unholy, A Golden Christmas, Large Homosexual Love, and Coherence, and made appearances in exhibits together with Kitchen Confidential, American Dragon Jake Lengthy, and Personal Follow. His most well-known position since his Buffy days was as Kevin Lynch in Felony Minds, showing sporadically over the course of seven seasons. Brendon has skilled some hassle with the regulation prior to now decade and has battled in opposition to substance abuse and despair, along with his private struggles overshadowing his appearing profession. Regardless, he stays a staple at comedian conventions and ceaselessly represents the Buffy solid at such occasions.
Anthony Stewart Head as Rupert Giles
English actor and singer Anthony Stewart Head had already been a longtime tv and stage performer by the point he starred as Rupert Giles within the present, the place he brilliantly portrayed Buffy’s smart mentor and father determine who overlooks the Scooby gang and retains them out of hassle. Head is a proficient theater actor and has headlined productions of The Rocky Horror Image Present, Rope, and Six Levels of Separation, and went on to seem in a slew of exhibits like Manchild, Little Britain, Physician Who Confidential, and Merlin.
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The place They Are Now
Head was purported to get his personal spin-off sequence Ripper as soon as Buffy resulted in 2003, which might have adopted Giles as he finds himself in chilling ghost tales whereas dwelling in England, however rights points relating to the character prompted the present to not be developed additional. Head’s most present display screen credit had been within the Netflix unique Bridgerton and within the horror comedy Let the Improper One In, however he could also be greatest recognized not too long ago for his position because the antagonist within the acclaimed Apple TV+ sequence Ted Lasso.
David Boreanaz as Angel
Buffy’s brooding and tortured vampire love Angel, performed by David Boreanaz, was cursed with a human soul and consistently wrestled with the sins of his previous. He appeared within the supernatural sequence for the primary three seasons, then guest-starred for the rest after getting his personal spin-off sequence Angel in 1999. Boreanaz earned quite a few nominations for his work within the companion present, together with a number of Saturn Award nods. Angel ran for 5 seasons till 2004.
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In 2005, Boreanaz took on the lead position of FBI particular agent Seeley Sales space within the police procedural dramedy Bones, sharing the display screen with Emily Deschanel for a formidable 12 seasons and 246 episodes. The sequence dominated rankings and swiftly grew to become a fan-favorite. After its conclusion in 2017, Boreanaz as soon as once more continued his tv reign and was solid as Jason Hayes within the army drama SEAL Group, which concluded with its seventh and ultimate season in 2024.
James Marsters as Spike
Buffy’s long-time enemy who grew to become a shocking romantic curiosity, Spike, is a centuries-old vampire who is legendary for his bleach blonde hair and signature black leather-based jacket. He first joined the sequence within the second season to wreak havoc on the slayer and her friends, and slowly grew to become one of many gang. The simple appeal of James Marsters made Spike an prompt hit with audiences, and he grew to become an enormous breakout character. On account of such a constructive reception, the vamp was granted an prolonged keep at Sunnydale — his recognition saved him from being killed off as initially deliberate.
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Marsters received a Saturn Award for Finest Supporting Actor in a TV Collection and was given the TV Information Award for Scariest Villain for his work on the smash hit present. He even reprised his position of Spike for the spin-off Angel, a lot to the elation of passionate followers. He adopted up his distinguished efficiency because the punk-rock vampire with appearances within the exhibits Smallville, And not using a Hint, Hawaii 5-0, and The Runaways, and most not too long ago within the horror flick Abruptio.
Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia Chase
Sunnydale queen bee and well-liked cheerleader Cordelia Chase, performed by the beautiful Charisma Carpenter, began out the present as one in all Buffy’s main rivals. However her interactions with the Scooby gang quickly helped rework her from being a self-centered and shallow character to a loyal ally to Buffy and her mates. Carpenter initially supposed to audition for the lead position of Buffy Summers and Sarah Michelle Gellar had been supplied the a part of Cordelia, however the latter actress was requested to check out for the slayer as a substitute, and Carpenter received the position of the sassy Cordelia.
The place They Are Now
Carpenter portrayed the assertive character for the primary three seasons earlier than departing the sequence to star as a fundamental character within the spin-off Angel, doing so for 4 seasons and returning for its one hundredth episode. She made subsequent appearances in Charmed, Veronica Mars, and The Mendacity Sport, and in movies like Psychosis, Sure, and The Expendables franchise. Carpenter spoke out in opposition to her remedy by Joss Whedon in 2021 in assist of Ray Fisher, alleging the director made a poisonous work surroundings for the actress.
Emma Caulfield as Anya Jenkins
Former vengeance demon Anya Jenkins terrorized humanity by avenging scorned girls. However after shedding her powers, she finally embraced her good sides and helped the Scoobies of their combat in opposition to evil, whereas additionally falling in love with Xander. Emma Caulfield joined Buffy through the third season and have become a sequence common by its fifth, delivering some much-needed comedic reduction because the reformed former demon. The actress had beforehand had a task within the ’90s tv sensation Beverly Hills, 90210 earlier than portraying the socially-unaware and hilariously blunt Anya, with followers loving the entertaining relationship between the character and Xander.
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Caulfield later had distinguished elements within the motion pictures Darkness Falls, Timer, and Again within the Day, and in a slew of tv exhibits like Life Surprising, As soon as Upon a Time, Supergirl, and Worry the Strolling Useless. She most notably starred as Sarah Proctor within the Disney+ Marvel miniseries WandaVision, a task she reprised within the critically-acclaimed spin-off Agatha: Darkhold Diaries.
Michelle Trachtenberg as Daybreak Summers
Followers both liked or loathed the addition of Buffy’s youthful sister Daybreak Summers to the solid for the present’s fifth season, with the character all of the sudden showing as an enormous in-story retcon that was slowly defined as the following seasons progressed. Daybreak was launched by Whedon in an effort to current somebody Buffy might have a deep emotional bond with outdoors of her romantic relationships, and so Michelle Trachtenberg was introduced on to painting the character for the ultimate three seasons.
The place They Are Now
Trachtenberg had a profitable profession as a younger actress even earlier than Buffy. After the present ended, she nabbed starring roles in motion pictures like EuroTrip, Ice Princess, Black Christmas, and 17 Once more, and notably appeared as Georgina Sparks within the teen drama sequence Gossip Lady in addition to in Mercy, Weeds, Felony Minds, and Robotic Hen. She reprised her position as Sparks in 2022 within the second season of the short-lived HBO revival sequence of the hit teen drama, showing in two episodes and delighting followers together with her epic return because the scheming socialite.
On February 26, 2025, Trachtenberg was discovered unresponsive by her mom in her New York Metropolis residence and tragically handed away after paramedics arrived on the scene and pronounced her lifeless at simply 39 years outdated. The proficient actress had beforehand undergone a liver transplant months previous to her passing, although an official reason behind dying has but to be confirmed. Her fellow Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-stars like David Boreanaz and James Marsters started sharing their condolences shortly after information first unfold, with Sarah Michelle Gellar taking to Instagram on February 27 to pen her personal touching tribute:
Amber Benson as Tara Maclay
Willow’s fellow witch and girl love was Tara Maclay, performed by Amber Benson. She was a member of the highly effective redhead’s Wicca group in faculty, and was first launched throughout Season 4, with the 2 sharing a stupendous and deeply significant love story over the course of the sequence. Their relationship has since been considered a serious milestone in tv for its refreshing depiction of a lesbian romance and for treating the characters like each different couple whereas not shying away from showcasing them as sexual and affectionate with one another.
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The place They Are Now
Followers of the couple nonetheless aren’t over Tara’s devastating dying within the sixth season. She was later named one in all AfterEllen’s High 50 Lesbian and Bisexual Characters in 2010. Benson has continued appearing and directing tv and cinema initiatives, helming the movies Likelihood and Lovers, Liars & Lunatics and showing in exhibits together with Personal Follow, Gray’s Anatomy, and Ringer. She additionally starred alongside Justice Smith within the unbelievable horror flick I Noticed the TV Glow.
Seth Inexperienced as Daniel “Oz” Osbourne
Sunnydale’s werewolf with a coronary heart of gold, Oz was Willow’s reticent guitar-playing boyfriend within the early seasons of the basic present. Seth Inexperienced appeared because the laid-back and loving Oz from 1997 to 2000 earlier than departing from the sequence through the fourth season.
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Inexperienced went on to search out huge success on each the massive and small display screen, voicing the character of Chris Griffin within the grownup animated sitcom Household Man whereas creating, producing, directing, and writing the long-running Grownup Swim hit Robotic Hen. He reunited with Sarah Michelle Gellar in Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, and performed Scott Evil within the Austin Powers franchise.
Inexperienced additionally starred in motion pictures like Rat Race, The Italian Job, And not using a Paddle, and voiced Howard the Duck within the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. Inexperienced has additionally offered his vocal expertise for exhibits together with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Crossing Swords, and Stargirl, and in 2019 he mixed all of his spectacular abilities to direct, write, and star within the 2019 dramedy Changeland, sharing the display screen with Breckin Meyer, Brenda Music, and Macaulay Culkin.
Eliza Dushku as Religion Lehane
Buffy’s fiery and tough-as-nails fellow slayer Religion consistently battles her darkish aspect all through the sequence, as each a serious ally and adversary in opposition to the blonde heroine. Eliza Dushku joined the solid for the third season, and underwent main character improvement throughout her time in Sunnydale, with Religion even crossing over and showing within the spin-off Angel.
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Outdoors of taking part in the robust and highly effective slayer, Dushku is probably greatest remembered for her position as Missy in Deliver It On and because the titular lead within the supernatural sequence Tru Calling. In her days since slaying vampires, Dushku starred in exhibits like Dollhouse, The Large Bang Idea, Hulk and the Brokers of S.M.A.S.H., and Banshee. In 2019, the actress accused her Bull co-star Michael Weatherly of inappropriate habits on set that allegedly resulted in her being fired from the drama, and a settlement was later reached between Dushku and the community.
Kristine Sutherland as Joyce Summers
Buffy’s loving and perpetually-in-the-dark mom Joyce, performed by Kristine Sutherland, served as a “regular” and fixed presence within the slayer’s life up till her discovery of her daughter’s true future within the second season. Her soul-shattering dying within the fifth-season’s “The Physique” led to one of many biggest and most poignant episodes in tv historical past. Sutherland appeared in 58 episodes of the sequence in complete.
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She has finished restricted appearing since her time on Buffy, touchdown elements in exhibits like New Amsterdam, One Life to Dwell, and The Following, and in motion pictures together with The Cat Returns and The Excellent Wedding ceremony. Her final display screen credit score was in 2016’s Russian Doll, with Sutherland largely strolling away from Hollywood and as a substitute specializing in images and her portrait studio.
Stream Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Hulu.