Not too long ago, news surfaced of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer continuation for Hulu, which would see the original lead, Sarah Michelle Gellar, returning to the franchise.
Per a recent interview with Gellar, she admitted that things are moving faster than she expected but still cautions fans that the new show won't just happen overnight.
Speaking to People, Gellar stated, "We've set up our offices, which means things are progressing probably faster than I'd anticipated. But it's going to be a process, I think. To do it the way it needs to be done, everyone has to be patient with all of us, because this isn't something that [will just happen]."
Now, we have word on the show's new leads, the new Buffy, Willow, and Xander- so to speak.
This report echoes information previously shared by somewhat trustworthy online scooper Daniel Richtman albeit with slightly different descriptions. TV Line also notes that the names are just placeholders for audition purposes and are likely to change.
Per TV Line, the three main leads are-
- Nova (though we’re fairly certain that name is just a placeholder), the 16-year-old new slayer, who is very smart and a bit of a loner.
- Hugo, an out-and-proud nerd who comes from money
- Gracie, a young expert on vampires who’s an acolyte of Gellar’s Buffy.
What most Buffy fans want to know at the moment is if the new show will continue on from where the TV show ended or from where the Dark Horse Comics series concluded.
For instance, the comic series ends with Buffy starting training at the San Francisco Police Academy, Xander and Dawn starting a family together, and Willow restoring magic to the world.
While all three characters are described differently by TV Line, the biggest change from Richtman's descriptions is for Hugo, who TV line says is gay, while Richtman says he has a thing for Nova.
Per the news last month, sisters Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Poker Face) will serve as co-showrunners with Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, Eternals) directing the pilot and executive producing the show.
Gellar is also listed as an executive producer along with original executive producer of the show, Gail Berman.
On Zhao's involvement, Gellar exclaimed, "I pinch myself every day when I get into these rooms, and I'm looking at Gail Berman, the Zuckermans and Chloé Zhao. It's an incredible group."
"There was no world where I thought Chloé Zhao was going to call me and partner with me, and ask my advice on things and my opinion — especially because she hasn't done television. She'll call me, and she'll say, 'Well, I have to defer to you,' and I'm like, 'Wait, what?' Those aren't words I ever thought I would hear."
Details on the project are understandably scarce at the moment, given this early juncture, but it's been confirmed that while Gellar is returning, the show will focus on a new slayer, with Gellar's Buffy Summers appearing in a mentorship role.