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Has the Buffy the Vampire Slayer sequel series really been staked for good?

That's the question we're asking after some comments from New Sunnydale's slayer-in-chuef, Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao. If you'll recall, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer follow up series was supposed to be coming this year to Hulu, though its cancellation was announced on March 14. Even still, an interview with Zhao now has us wondering whether or not the sun has really set (risen?) on Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale.

The interview in question comes from Variety, who were on the red carpet at the 2026 Academy Awards, where Zhao was attending as a nominee for Best Director. And despite the fact that her 2025 film Hamnet was on everyone's minds, Variety did get the chance to touch on the recent cancellation announcement.

"I had an incredible, incredible time with Sarah [Michelle Gellar]," Zhao told her interviewer of the news, "With all the cast and crew doing this. And we, first and foremost, see ourselves as the guardians of the original show [...] Our priority for Sarah and for us has always been to be truthful to the show, to be truthful to our fans. So, things happen for a reason, and we keep our hearts open and we welcome the mystery. And what this might lead us to."

Sorry, wait. What's that last part again? Why "keep our hearts open" if the show is completely dead? Fortunately, the attending reporters asked exactly the question this brings to mind - is Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale being shipped around to other distributors?

"Welcome the mystery," Zhao repeated herself. 

We will, Chloé. But I think I speak for all of us Buffy fans when I say we'd welcome a new home for New Sunnydale too.

Sink your teeth into the Buffyverse with Popverse's Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel watch order. Then, become a Watcher in your own right by learning the history of the Buffy franchise and pondering its future with Disney. It's enough to keep you up all night... provided you don't have slaying of your own to do.