In a move that has left fans heartbroken, Sarah Michelle Gellar confirmed Saturday on Instagram that Hulu has officially canceled the highly anticipated revival, Buffy: New Sunnydale. The project was set to serve as a continuation of the original cult classic, with Gellar returning to her iconic role as Buffy Summers in a recurring capacity. "I am really sad to have to share this," Gellar told her followers in a video post. "Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward."

The 90-minute pilot was directed by Oscar winner Chloé Zhao and written by Nora and Lilla Zuckerman. It starred Ryan Kiera Armstrong as Nova, a new slayer navigating a modern-day Sunnydale. Despite the star power—including a supporting cast featuring Sarah Bock, Ava Jean, and Faly Rakotohavana—reports from Deadline suggest the pilot was deemed "not perfect" by executives. Zhao addressed the news on the 98th Academy Awards red carpet Sunday night, stating she was "not surprised" but cherished her time with the cast.

While this specific iteration of the "Buffyverse" is over, Hulu reportedly remains interested in the intellectual property owned by 20th Television. Executive producers including Dolly Parton and Gail Berman had been attached to the project, which Gellar described as a "long process" that failed to align with the streamer's vision. Gellar ended her announcement with a nod to the show's lore, promising fans, "If the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me."