It looks like the Buffy-verse has a new chosen one!
In news broken by Sarah Michelle Gellar herself, we have learned that Firestarter star Ryan Kiera Armstrong will lead the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot.
Gellar posted a touching video to Instagram on May 15th, showing a zoom call, wherein the actress informs Armstrong she’s won the part.
Reliable sources report that Armstrong has landed the part of Nova, “a cerebral 16-year-old loner,” and the newest in a long line of slayers.
Those sources also cite two friends of Nova’s as co-lead characters, one described as “an out and proud geek,” and the other obsessed with the slayer lore and Buffy Summers. However, actors are yet to be attached to these roles, but more announcements are expected soon.
This is the latest step forward for the highly-anticipated Buffy reboot, which has been gaining serious steam lately.
Announced back in February, original star Sarah Michelle Gellar revealed that the project has been in development for four years. The actress clarified that she wanted to get the reboot “just right” before agreeing to reprise her most iconic role.
To that end, Gellar is set to reprise the role of Buffy Summers in a “recurring capacity” in the new show, as well as serving as an executive producer.
Original Buffy producers Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, Kaz Kuzui, and Dolly Parton will return alongside Gellar. The pilot episode is being penned by Nora and Lila Zuckerman, and will be directed by Chloe Zhao. Currently in development at Hulu, the streaming service has allegedly only ordered a pilot episode thus far… However, given the amount of effort going into the production, we suspect a whole series order will soon be issued.
Of Armstrong’s casting, Gellar said the following in a statement:
“From the moment I saw Ryan’s audition, I knew there was only one girl that I wanted by my side. To have that kind of emotional intelligence, and talent, at such a young age, is truly a gift. The bonus is that her smile lights up even the darkest room.”
Stay tuned, and we’ll bring you more Buffy updates as soon as we can!
