A new chapter is beginning in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe. The upcoming Hulu revival, which continues the story decades after the original, will feature Sarah Michelle Gellar returning as Buffy Summers. Director Chloé Zhao has confirmed the series is a sequel, not a reboot, and that original characters will definitely return. Among the fan favorites at the top of the wish list is Alyson Hannigan’s Willow Rosenberg, whose potential comeback is a major topic of discussion.
The New Slayer and Her World
The story will shift its primary focus to a new generation. Ryan Kiera Armstrong has been cast as Nova, an introverted high school student who is the next Chosen One. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy will serve as a mentor to Nova, rather than being the central hero.
The cast of new characters includes Faly Rakotohavana as Hugo, a privileged and likable geek; Ava Jean as Larkin, a chronic do-gooder; and Sarah Bock as Gracie, the ringleader of a group of church-going students. Daniel Di Tomasso plays Abe, Nova’s single father and a photojournalist, while Jack Cutmore-Scott takes on the role of Mr. Burke, a popular high school teacher. Additional casting includes Merrin Dungey as a college counselor and more students, indicating that the setting of New Sunnydale Academy will be a central hub for the new story.
The project has a strong creative team behind it. Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao is set to direct the pilot. The script comes from writers and showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman. Sarah Michelle Gellar, who is also an executive producer, has been clear about her careful approach, stating she would only agree to the project if they could “do it right.”
Why Willow’s Return Needs a New Purpose
If Willow Rosenberg returns to Sunnydale, her role must evolve. In the original series, Willow started as a quiet, bookish teenager and grew into one of the most powerful witches in the Buffy universe. Her journey included a descent into dark magic as “Dark Willow” before she returned to the side of good. By the show’s end, her magical ability arguably surpassed Buffy’s own strength.
This significant character growth is why she cannot simply return as Buffy’s sidekick. Their friendship can remain important, but Willow needs to exist as a figure of authority and experience in her own right. Just as Buffy is mentoring the new Slayer, Willow could naturally serve as a guiding force for a young witch. She would be uniquely positioned to help a new character navigate the temptations and dangers of magic, drawing from her own past struggles with its dark side.
Alyson Hannigan has remained somewhat quiet about a potential return. In a mid-2025 interview, she said about the revival, “I know never to say never, but I’m excited to hear what Sarah says it’s like.” She also suggested that fans should have a say in what Willow is doing now.
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Other Original Cast Members Hoping for a Comeback
The desire to see familiar faces extends beyond Willow. Charisma Carpenter, who played the sharp-tongued Cordelia Chase, has been openly hopeful about returning. She has called the ending of her character on the Angel spinoff “unjust” and said it would be “poetic” for Cordelia to be part of the new story. She expressed confidence that the writers could find a creative way to bring her back, despite the character’s death.
Other original cast members have shown support. David Boreanaz (Angel) and Seth Green (Oz) commented positively on Gellar’s initial announcement. Sarah Michelle Gellar herself has even shared her dream to “bring back everyone who has died,” though she acknowledged that space must be made for new stories.
The tone of the new series is expected to be lighter than the final seasons of the original show. Production is moving forward, with a pilot script table read having already taken place. The series is scheduled to premiere on Hulu in 2026.
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