Buffy revival at Hulu with Gellar and Zhao directing pilot

A Hulu revival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is moving forward with Sarah Michelle Gellar again in the title role, under the direction of Chloé Zhao, as cameras begin rolling on a pilot that signals a renewed push to expand the Buffyverse. The project is being developed by 20th Television and Searchlight TV, with Zhao directing the pilot and writing duties handled by Nora and Lila Zuckerman. Gellar is among the executive producers, alongside Zhao, the Zuckermans, Gail Berman, and Kaz Kuzui, with Dolly Parton’s Sandollar also aboard. A formal series order has not yet been announced, and it remains unclear whether other original stars will join the new incarnation, though dialogue surrounding the revival has emphasized a balance between nostalgia and contemporary storytelling. Joss Whedon is not involved.

The revival arrives after years of evolving plans for the Buffy franchise. Initially, a reboot project was announced with a contemporary angle and a new creative team, but that version did not reach production. The current effort centers on a fresh start that preserves the core themes of outsider identity and teen resilience while seeking to integrate modern anxieties and...