Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans have one big worry as show 'set for revival'

Fans of hit supernatural drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer were stunned this week when it was announced that a follow-up series is in the works. The news comes two decades on after the programme – which sees Sarah Michelle Gellar play Buffy Summers – came to an end. Reports state American streaming service Hulu is getting close to green-lighting a pilot, and excitement is at fever pitch with reports swirling that Sarah could be stepping back into Buffy's boots for the revival. Oscar winner Chloé Zhao, who's always been open about her love for Buffy, is also set to direct the pilot, which has been written by Nora and Lilla Zuckerman.

Despite the buzz, some fans are warily eyeing the revival. Writing on the r/buffy Reddit thread, one fan's apprehension was clear as they wrote: "That makes me kind of nervous," as someone else replied: "Same. I don't think it's gonna be good.". The debate heated up as a third contributor added: "I'm so intrigued and also so scared. Shows today are very different than they were at the time. Will they be doing 10 episode seasons? Will it be more continuous like shows are now or will they have some one-off monster-of-the week episodes?".

The Redditor delved deeper, probing the logistics of the return, saying: "Who can come back? I always assumed a Buffy reboot would bring on a new slayer. But there's no longer just one slayer, too. Will this centre around Buffy or a new group of slayers?". They didn't stop there, musing over the practicalities of re-assembling the original cast, asking: "Who can come back? The humans, sure - but the vamps can't...unless they use that MCU technology to make David and James younger. I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS.".

Despite the reservations, numerous Buffy enthusiasts expressed excitement about the upcoming series. One fan commented: "I'll try it out. A new version doesn't change the old one. If I don't like it, I just won't keep watching." While another added: "If Sarah Michelle Gellar is in it playing Buffy, I'm watching it.". A third fan shared: "The idea of an older Buffy has inherent appeal to me which is why I'm on board. I think Sarah Michelle Gellar can take the character into some interesting places now that she's not in a coming of age story. If this was remaking Buffy whole cloth I'd be less thrilled. But Sarah Michelle Gellar has such a firm grasp on this character and its potential that I find myself being excited by her return.".

The new show is billed as "the next chapter in the Buffyverse" and boasts an impressive production team, including executive producers Gellar, Zhao, Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, as well as original series executive producers Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, and Kaz Kuzui. Notably, Dolly Parton's company Sandollar, which produced the original series, is also set to executive produce the pilot. If greenlit, this would mark the third installment in the franchise, following the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer series (1997-2003) and its spin-off Angel (1999-2004).