Photo: WB
In the latest lineup of throwback shows being revived, this news is sure to have Buffy fans excited.
A reboot of the former supernatural drama series is in development at Fox 21 TV Studios, the cable/streaming division of 20th Century Fox TV. The original seven seasons of the cult hit was produced by the same studio, airing on the WB and then on UPN.
Original showrunner Joss Whedon returns to the beloved series, which debuted 21 years ago, as executive producer alongside Midnight, Texas creator Monica Owunsu-Breen, who will serve as the showrunner and head writer. Whedon and Owunsu-Breen previously worked together on Agent’s of S.H.I.E.L.D. They confirm, while no casting decisions have been made yet, that an African-American actress will take on the lead role originated by Sarah Michelle Gellar.
“Like our world, it will be richly diverse, and like the original, some aspects of the series could be seen as metaphors for issues facing us all today,” producers on the project told Deadline.
Fox intends to pitch the reboot to cable and streaming networks this summer, with a focus on the new show telling a contemporary story, yet still building on the existing mythology of the cult favorite series. No further announcements have been made regarding casting the iconic roles or if any of the original cast will return.
Should it get picked it up, this new version of Buffy seems to be the perfect compromise between a diverse, contemporary new show within a story and a universe that fans already know and love.
