Finally, a Don’t-Miss Reboot—Except They Cancelled the Pilot

✦ Edited and fact-checked by Randy Harward, our Entertainment Editor with 25 years covering entertainment and TV.

10 shows to watch while we mourn the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” reboot cast and the canceled “New Sunnydale” pilot

We’ve got some heartbreaking news for the Scooby Gang. Despite a massive 8.0/10 IMDb user rating based on early buzz and a powerhouse creative team, Hulu officially pulled the plug on the “New Sunnydale” pilot in early 2026. This “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” reboot was set to be a direct sequel to the 1997 classic, featuring a rebuilt Sunnydale split between a gritty old town and an upscale new district.

With Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao (“Nomadland”) at the helm and original creator Joss Whedon returning, the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” reboot cast was shaping up to be legendary. We were ready to see Ryan Kiera Armstrong take up the stake as Nova, a 16-year-old bookworm, alongside the return of Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers herself.

Unfortunately, executive reshuffling at Hulu led to a “blindsided” cancellation that left the cast fighting an uphill battle. While we petition to save the pilot, we’ve rounded up the best supernatural hits to fill that Hellmouth-sized hole in your heart.

When you’re done with this list, check out our list of the most anticipated new shows of 2026 to see what actually made the cut this year.

10. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997–2003)

Before the Buffy reboot was even a glimmer in Hulu’s eye, we had the 144 episodes that started it all. If you’re feeling the sting of the “New Sunnydale” cancellation, there’s no better remedy than revisiting Buffy Summers’ first days at Sunnydale High. This series remains the gold standard for supernatural drama, blending high-school angst with literal demons.

9. “Firestarter” (2022)

Want to see what the new Slayer could have been? Ryan Kiera Armstrong, who was cast as Nova in the “New Sunnydale pilot,” shows off her incredible genre range in this Stephen King adaptation. She plays Charlie, a girl with extraordinary pyrokinetic powers who must protect her family from a mysterious federal agency. It is an excellent showcase of her ability to handle a “chosen one” narrative.

8. “Ready or Not” (2019)

Sarah Michelle Gellar is currently trending for the upcoming sequel “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come,” so now is the perfect time to catch up on the original survival horror hit. While Gellar wasn’t in the first film, the vibe is pure Buffy—snarky, violent, and centered on a woman fighting for her life against a wealthy, cult-like family. It captures the exact gritty tone the reboot was aiming for.

7. “Wolf Pack” (2023)

If you were strictly sticking around the Buffy reboot for Sarah Michelle Gellar, “Wolf Pack” is your required viewing. Gellar plays arson investigator Kristin Ramsey in a story about two teenagers whose lives are changed forever when a wildfire awakens a terrifying supernatural creature. It’s the OG Slayer back in action, proving she’s still the queen of the supernatural thriller.

6. “Alias” (2001–2006)

Merrin Dungey was set to play Ms. LaDuca in the New Sunnydale school system, and we were hyped to see her back in a suspense thriller setting. In “Alias,” she plays Francie Calfo, the best friend to Jennifer Garner’s Sydney Bristow. This show is famous for its long-form storytelling and intricate plot twists, a format that Gellar noted might have been a relic but is still incredibly addictive.

5. “Oppenheimer” (2023)

Jack Cutmore-Scott was slated to play Mr. Burke in the reboot, and his seasoned veteran energy would have been a perfect fit for the new faculty. You might recognize him from his role as Lyall Johnson in this Oscar-winning epic. While it lacks the “Vampire Weekend” festival, it shows the caliber of talent the “New Sunnydale” project was attracting.

4. “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” (2019–2023)

Matthew Sato was cast as Jack in the reboot, a character rumored to be one of the vampires raising an army at the Cursed Circle. To see his more charming, musical side, check out his work on this Disney+ meta-comedy. It’s a great reminder of the rising star power that was going to make the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” reboot cast so special.

3. “The Flight Attendant” (2020–2022)

Audrey Grace Marshall, known as Jessica in the planned New Sunnydale pilot, gives a standout performance here as a young Cassie Bowden. This show balances dark mystery with fast-paced energy, much like the early days of “Buffy.” It’s a tragedy we won’t see her navigating the sequel hurdle in a rebuilt Sunnydale.

2. “Sinners” (2025)

Sarah Bock, who was set to play Gracie in the reboot, is a rising talent you need to keep an eye on. Her role in the 2025 film “Sinners” proves she has the acting chops to handle the dark, ironic tone the “New Sunnydale” project was going for. Bock is an expert at bringing depth to gritty, atmospheric stories.

1. “Eternals” (2021)

To understand the visual scale we lost when Hulu killed the project, look at Chloé Zhao’s work on “Eternals.” Zhao was set to direct the New Sunnydale pilot, and her ability to blend ancient mythology with human emotion is exactly what a “Buffy” sequel needed. The idea of her filming a “Vampire Weekend” festival in a rebuilt Sunnydale remains one of the greatest what-ifs in TV history.

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” reboot cast FAQ