Ryan Kiera Armstrong Cast as Next-Gen Slayer in Hulu's Buffy the Vampire Slayer Revival
The Hellmouth is stirring again, and a new Slayer is ready to take on the forces of darkness. On May 15, 2025, exciting news broke for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: 15-year-old actress Ryan Kiera Armstrong has been cast as the series’ next-generation Slayer in the highly anticipated revival series.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Disney/Hulu
This legacy sequel, which has secured a pilot order from Hulu, marks a significant step forward for the beloved franchise, with Sarah Michelle Gellar returning as Buffy Summers in a recurring role. Armstrong, known for her recent role in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, will play an introverted high school student thrust into the role of the Slayer. This casting choice aligns with the revival’s aim to explore a new chapter in the Buffyverse, partially focusing on a contemporary teenage Slayer navigating supernatural chaos while mentored by the legendary Buffy Summers. And Gellar’s Buffy is expected to serve as a mentor, guiding the new Slayer and connecting the revival to its roots.
Gellar, who led the original series from 1997 to 2003, is not only reprising her role but also executive producing alongside Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, Eternals), who will helm the pilot. The involvement of Zhao, a self-professed Buffy fan, and writers Nora and Lilla Zuckerman (Poker Face) also signals a creative team dedicated to honoring the original while forging a new path. Fans are also speculating about whether other original cast members, such as Alyson Hannigan (Willow), James Marsters (Spike), or David Boreanaz (Angel), might appear—and honestly, it seems likely that she won’t be the only familiar face.
The revival comes after years of stalled attempts to bring Buffy back. A 2018 reboot was paused in 2022 (because it doesn’t need a reboot), leaving fans skeptical. However, Hulu’s pilot order for a legacy series, along with Gellar’s enthusiastic endorsement for this next chapter, has reignited hope. While there aren’t any major plot details available just yet, the series promises to build on the mythology of the original, which followed Buffy Summers as she balanced slaying with teenage life. The 2003 finale empowered Slayers worldwide, setting the stage for this new story about a generation of activated Slayers. So, will there be several slayers? Or are we getting a new development on Willow’s spell? Time will tell.
One thing we do know—Buffy is back, and her new slayer ally is excited to be a part of the journey.
