“I’m sad that you guys won’t be able to see it, but it doesn’t take away from the amazing experience that I had,” said 16-year-old actress Ryan Kiera Armstrong.

Buffy revival’s new slayer reacts to Hulu scrapping show, reveals what her character would have looked like

"I'm sad that you guys won't be able to see it, but it doesn't take away from the amazing experience that I had," said 16-year-old actress Ryan Kiera Armstrong.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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March 15, 2026 3:49 p.m. ET

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Sarah Michelle Gellar in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Credit: 20th Century Fox/Everett Collection

Ryan Kiera Armstrong, the young star tapped to lead the much-anticipated *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* revival series, is speaking out after the show's sudden cancellation.

Hours after original series star Sarah Michele Gellar announced that Hulu had pulled the plug on *Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale*, the 16-year-old actress took to social media to mourn what could have been. In a Saturday Instagram post, Armstrong shared a snapshot of her character, who would have taken up the mantle as Sunnydale's newest protector.

"Your slayer," she captioned the post. Gellar commented with several heart emojis, while fans weighed in to express their disappointment that the show would not be moving forward.

Armstrong had more to say in an Instagram Story, sharing a video in which she addressed the show getting scrapped.

"I'm sure many of you have already heard the news by now," she began. "But I wanted to come on here and say thank you for all of the support that you guys have given me and this show throughout the past couple months. It's been really special."

She added, "I'm really proud of what we did. I'm sad that you guys won't be able to see it, but it doesn't take away from the amazing experience that I had."

The actress, whose prior credits include *The Lowdown* and *Firestarter*, appeared emotional as she went on to thank Gellar, pilot director Chloé Zhao, and producers Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman.

Ryan Kiera Armstrong.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

"I also want to say thank you to all of the fans and all of the people that believed in this new chapter and that believed in me," Armstrong continued. "We brought this back for you guys, and *Buffy* is such a big part of all of our lives, and it's not going anywhere. So who knows what the future will hold."

On Saturday, Gellar revealed that the *Buffy* revival had been killed at Hulu after the cast had filmed a pilot helmed by Zhao, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind *Nomadland* and *Hamnet*.

"I am really sad to have to share this, but I want you all to hear it from me," said Gellar, who rose to fame in the show's titular role in the '90s. "Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward with *Buffy: New Sunnydale*."

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She went on to praise Zhao, who persuaded her to make her *Buffy-*verse return. "I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy's stylish yet affordable boots, and thanks to Chloé, I was reminded of how much I love her and how much she means not only to me, but to all of you," she said. "And this doesn't change any of that."

Gellar concluded, "I promise, if the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me."

Sarah Michelle Gellar on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'.

20th Century Fox Film Corp/Courtesy Everett

On Saturday, ** learned that Hulu remains interested in the franchise and is exploring other options to continue Buffy's story.

Created by Joss Whedon, *Buffy the Vampire Slayer *ran for seven seasons from 1997 to 2003. The series followed a teenager destined to battle vampires, demons, and various other dark forces while also dealing with the much more terrifying plight of being a teenager in the fictional town of Sunnydale. The show inspired the spinoff *Angel*, which ran for five seasons from 1999 to 2004.

Whedon, who in 2021 was accused by multiple stars of creating "hostile and toxic work environments" on *Buffy *and *Angel,* was not involved in the planned revival series.

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Gellar recently admitted that it was an uphill battle to get her onboard with the series, revealing that she changed her mind about a revival after a long, enthusiastic meeting with Zhao helped her understand the vision for the new project.

"I have always listened to the fans and heard your desire to revisit Buffy and her world," Gellar said, "but it was not something I could do unless I was sure we would get it right."

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