Revisit the Buffyverse Buffy the Vampire Slayer wasn’t just entertaining. The series was groundbreaking in many ways.
Starring Sarah Michelle GellarBuffy Summers, a supernatural drama that follows her as she battles vampires with the help from her friends. Alyson Hannigan, David Boreanaz, Nicholas Brendon, Anthony Stewart Head, James Marsters, Michelle TrachtenbergMany others were also starred.
The series was created and maintained by Joss Whedon (Justice LeagueAnd Avengers: Age of UltronThe 1992 film of the name is the basis for the movie. It aired on The WB for seven seasons, 1997-2003. The show’s popularity led to the spinoff titled Angel, in which Boreanaz starred as the series lead.
Buffy was praised for featuring a strong feminist hero and showcasing an LGBTQ romance between Hannigan’s character Willow Rosenberg and Amber Benson’s Tara Maclay.
Speak to The Huffington PostHannigan spoke out about how grateful she was to have been a part the pop culture shift in 2013. “I was so grateful to have been a part of such a wonderful relationship,” the American PieExplained actress. “The people that it’s touched that I’ve met … it’s such a gift to have been able to do that.”
Despite the show’s legacy, a reboot or revival isn’t necessarily in the cards. Interview with ParadeGellar had previously discussed the possibility of the series being re-run.
“There’s a time and a place for everything and when something is done really, really well, you don’t have to reboot it, because it still holds up,” she explained in October 2019. “And so I think that’s what I struggle with a little bit. Buffy is loved by many people today, just as they would have 20 years ago. There are movies I enjoy. Sixteen CandlesI love it as much today as I loved it back in the day. Why would I want it to be redone? So I am probably in the minority on that.”
The Cruel Intentions star added, “That being said, go reboot it if you have a new way to tell the story with new people, and bring other people that maybe haven’t seen it. It will bring more viewers to the original, and that is what I believe. And how much better the original is.”
In February 2021 Charisma CarpenterCordelia Chase was played by, BuffyIts spinoff, AngelWhedon was accused of creating a toxic environment on the sets of both shows by claiming that he did.
“For nearly two decades, I have held my tongue even made excuses for certain events that traumatize me to this day,” Carpenter wrote via Instagram. “Joss Whedon abused his power on numerous occasions while working on the sets of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. While he enjoyed his misconduct, it only served my performance anxiety, disempowerment and alienation. I am still suffering from a chronic physical condition due to the disturbing incidents. I speak with a heavy heart. I said that I managed to cope in isolation, sometimes even destructively. … Joss has a history of being casually cruel. Since his early years, he has created hostile and toxic workplaces. I know this because I have experienced it firsthand. Repeatedly.”
Carpenter went on to allege that Whedon was “mean and biting and disparaging about others openly, and often played favorites, putting people against one another to compete and vie for his attention and approval.” She also claimed he called her “fat” when she was pregnant with son Donovan, adding she was ordered to work “long and physically demanding days” during her pregnancy.
Gellar took to Instagram to voice her opinion, even though Whedon has not yet responded.
“While I am proud to have my name associated with Buffy Summers, I don’t want to be forever associated with the name Joss Whedon,” she wrote at the time. ”I am more focused on raising my family and surviving a pandemic currently so I will not be making any further statements. At this time, but I stand with all survivors of abuse and I’m proud of them for speaking out.”
Scroll down to see the cast’s activities since the series ended.
