The likelihood of each main Buffy cast member returning in the reboot, discussed

Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s irresistible mix of teen drama, supernatural adventures, high-octane action, and rib-tickling humor made it one of the most memorable television series of recent times. Based on his 1992 movie of the same name, Joss Whedon’s most iconic creation aired for seven seasons and 144 episodes from 1997 until 2003. It gave rise to a spin-off series (Angel, 1999-2004), comic books, video games, fan fiction, and a monumental amount of merchandise in the form of clothing, toys, and other paraphernalia. A follow-up series — whether it be a complete reboot, a soft reboot, a prequel, a sequel, or otherwise — has long been hoped for by Buffy’s fans, and it now appears their wish will come true, as Sarah Michelle Gellar is reportedly locked in to reprise her eponymous role in a reboot/sequel. But which other cast members are likely to join her?

That will depend on several factors. Those factors include the actor in question’s current real-life situation, their suitability to play their old role based on their age, whether the actor is still with us, the status of their character at the climax of the original series, and, of course, whether the actor would even want to return to the series if their success has elevated them to bigger things. Each actor’s situation is different, and, of course, it’s impossible to precisely predict who’ll return from the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast, but it’s fun to speculate.

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Guaranteed To Return

Buffy Summers herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar, is currently the only cast member whose return is guaranteed.

Truthfully, the only actor absolutely guaranteed to reprise their role in the new Buffy series is Sarah Michelle Gellar. Buffy Summers was alive and well at the end of Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s finale and confirmed to be alive during the final season of Angel a year later. More importantly, Gellar took to Instagram to confirm progress was being made regarding revisiting Buffy after discussions with Gail Berman and Chloé Zhao, claiming, “We will only make this show if we know we can do it right. And I will tell you that we are on the path there.”

Should the new show come to fruition, as is expected, it will air on streaming service Hulu, and Gellar will reprise her role as Buffy Summers in a supporting capacity, with a new slayer as the show’s primary focus. It’s exciting knowing fans will meet an older, more experienced Buffy — perhaps in a mentor role — and discover what she’s been up to for 22 years.

Likely To Return

Several actors who are still working and whose characters are alive are among the most likely to reprise their roles.

The former regular cast members of Buffy the Vampire Slayer who are most likely to appear in the new series are Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Head, Eliza Dushku, Tom Lenk, James Marsters, and David Boreanaz.

Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg) and Head (Rupert Giles) were two of Buffy’s closest allies — Willow being her best friend and Giles being her Watcher and father figure. Neither of their careers has exploded beyond television roles, they’re both still active as actors, and their characters are still alive at the original series’ climax. Head is perhaps the least likely of the two, given he’s 71 and might want to wind down his career, but Hannigan is pretty much a shoo-in for at least a minor appearance.

Dushku (Faith Lehane) and Tom Lenk (Andrew Wells) both survived the final battle in the Buffy series finale, with the latter appearing in the final season of Angel the following year. Faith, a fellow slayer, could support Buffy in mentoring younger slayers. Andrew, confirmed to be a Watcher in his Angel appearances, could provide further guidance, having been in the role for two decades. Lenk is still active as an actor, while Dushku has been inactive since 2017. However, it’s more than believable that both could be convinced to return to the new show, even if only for brief appearances.

James Marsters (Spike) and David Boreanaz (Angel) provide more complex issues, but most fans would envisage them returning one way or another. Spike and Angel were meant to be ageless vampires and were both alive in the final scene of Angel (though their fates looked ominous, and Spike had previously died in the Buffy finale before being resurrected). Assuming they did survive and appeared in the new show, they’d be noticeably two decades older. That could be worked around if it was confirmed they’d both won the right to be made human, giving each character a satisfying ending. Having Buffy reunite with her former lovers would be wholesome — though it might be somewhat shocking for her, given that she watched Spike die (unless she had discovered he was alive in the time between the two series).

Unlikely To Return

Actors whose real-life situations are problematic, those whose characters are dead, and those who might not fit the narrative are unlikely to return.

The series regulars from Buffy who are unlikely to appear in the reboot but not guaranteed to be missing are Nicholas Brendon, Seth Green, Marc Blucas, Charisma Carpenter, Amber Benson, Kristine Sutherland, Emma Caulfield, Alexis Denisof, and D.B. Woodside.Brendon (Xander Harris) will be the biggest miss if he’s absent, but it will beentirely of his own doing. Xander was Buffy’s other best friend and close ally and was by her side for the duration of the show’s seven seasons. He survived the final battle, as he had many others, through his sheer heart, resilience, and dedication to the good fight. However, Brendon is a problematic individual whose life has been filled with legal troubles, including arrests for alcohol abuse, theft, property damage, and, most troubling, domestic battery. It’s likely (and understandable) that he wouldn’t be welcome on the show, and his character will likely be written out of it somehow.

Two actors whose characters were still alive at the show’s climax but who are unlikely to appear in the new series are Seth Green (Daniel “Oz” Osbourne) and Marc Blucas (Riley Finn). Oz was a love interest for Willow Rosenberg, but when he accepted she was gay, they parted ways in a perfectly harmonious separation. His arc feels finished. As for Riley, he was the boyfriend few fans wanted Buffy Summers to be with. In his final appearance in season six, having left Sunnydale, he returned with a new wife. His involvement with Buffy feels closed.

That leaves Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), Amber Benson (Tara Maclay), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Alexis Denisof (Wesley Wyndam-Pryce), and D.B. Woodside (Robin Wood). All of their characters died, either in Buffy or Angel. While the supernatural nature of the show means anything is possible regarding ghosts, resurrections, and other undead shenanigans —​​​​​​​ and the concept of flashbacks always looms large — they are all undoubtedly less likely to return than those whose characters survived.

Impossible To Return

Truthfully, the only primary cast member who undoubtedly won’t return is the late Michelle Trachtenberg.

Sadly, only one regular former star is guaranteed to be absent from the new Buffy show, and that’s Michelle Trachtenberg. Trachtenberg played Dawn Summers, Buffy’s younger sister, and developed into a strong and essential member of the Scooby Gang. Tragically, Trachtenberg passed away on February 26, 2025, at just 39.

It’s far too soon to consider recasting Dawn, and even if the new series is years away, it’s hard to imagine Trachtenberg’s real-life friend Sarah Michelle Gellar going along with a recasting. The writers must find a way to write Dawn out of the story respectfully. Perhaps a poignant heroic sacrifice could be the way to go.

Precisely who will appear in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot remains to be seen, but fans will be keen to find out. All eyes will undoubtedly be on Hulu for a release date in the coming months.