The buffy reboot is not moving forward at Hulu, Sarah Michelle Gellar shared on Instagram, marking an abrupt pause for a project that had been in development since February 2025 with Chloé Zhao attached to direct.
Where the project stood
The project, identified as Buffy: New Sunnydale, had been developed by 20th Television and Searchlight TV and built around a dual cast: a younger Slayer played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong and Sarah Michelle Gellar returning as Buffy Summers in a starring and executive producer role. Chloé Zhao was set to direct, and Nora and Lilla Zuckerman had penned the script. Series regulars named in development included Faly Rakotohavana as Hugo, Ava Jean as Larkin, Sarah Bock as Gracie, Daniel Di Tomasso as Abe and Jack Cutmore-Scott as Mr. Burke.
Gellar addressed the status on Instagram, saying she was “really sad to have to share this” and thanking Chloé Zhao for reminding her “how much I love her and how much she means not only to me but to all of you. ” She closed with a lighter note: “if the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me. “
Who Was Attached to the Buffy Reboot?
- Director: Chloé Zhao (attached)
- Writers: Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman
- Production companies: 20th Television and Searchlight TV
- Returning lead and executive producer: Sarah Michelle Gellar
- New lead (younger Slayer): Ryan Kiera Armstrong
- Series regulars: Faly Rakotohavana, Ava Jean, Sarah Bock, Daniel Di Tomasso, Jack Cutmore-Scott
What happens next?
Sarah Michelle Gellar stated that Hulu is no longer moving forward with Buffy: New Sunnydale. At the same time, Hulu is still mulling over next steps and is leaving the door open. Those two facts together define the current status: the project has been halted publicly, but the platform has not definitively closed the possibility of future action.
The development timeline and list of attached talent are concrete elements that remain part of the project record. The combination of an established returning star, an identified younger lead, a named director and credited writers and production companies means the creative foundation assembled during development is documented even as the platform pauses advancement.
For now, the buffy reboot sits in a state of pause: not moving forward at Hulu, yet not entirely closed off from future movement. The announcement from Sarah Michelle Gellar and the statement that Hulu is still mulling next steps frame the situation and set expectations for watchers: the project is currently halted but remains formally unresolved on the platform’s side.
