Buffy star Nicholas Brendon dies

It's been a tough time for Buffy fans (myself included). Hulu has cancelled the pilot for a revival series, and most tragically, Nicholas Brendon, who played Buffy's best friend Xander Harris in the Scooby Gang, has died aged 54.

Brendon's family confirmed in a statement on social media that "he passed in his sleep of natural causes."

His family added: "He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.

"Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art."

Brendon was open about his health struggles, including a heart attack, and underwent two spinal surgeries for cauda equina syndrome, a rare condition that can affect movement as well as bladder and bowel function.

The actor also lived with a stutter, later advocating the cause as a spokesperson for the Stuttering Foundation of America.

The late actor had also opened up about his struggles with substance addiction, alcoholism and mental health issues.

His family told The Hollywood Reporter (THR): "While it's no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing."

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the titular slayer, paid tribute to Brendon with one of Xander's quotes: “They'll never know how tough it is … to live so near the spotlight and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes because nobody's watching me." She added: "I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, arguably one of the greatest television series of all time, is long overdue for a rewatch on Disney+.

Hulu stakes Buffy reboot!

As a Buffy fan, I didn’t see this coming. Hulu has cancelled the reboot starring Ryan Kiera Armstrong (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew).

“I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me,” Sarah Michelle Gellar revealed the news on Instagram. “Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward with ‘Buffy: New Sunnydale.’ I want to thank Chloé Zhao because I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish, yet affordable boots, and thanks to Chloé, I was reminded how much I love her and how much she means, not only to me, but to all of you. And this doesn’t change any of that. And I promise if the apocalypse actually comes, you could still beep me.”

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the spin-off series Angel, Star Trek, and The X-Files sustained me during the 1990s and early 2000s before Doctor Who returned in 2005. For seven seasons, I adored the adventures of the Scooby Gang (Heat magazine printed my letter in 1999) and have cherished memories of watching the series with my late mum. After mum died in 2007, I haven't been able to watch The Body.

Armstrong, who was set to be the new vampire slayer mentored by Gellar, has reacted to the news that the show is not moving forward at Hulu.

“I’m sure many of you have already heard the news by now. I wanted to come on here and say thank you for all the support you guys have given me and the show throughout the past couple months. It’s been really special. I’m really proud of what we did. I’m sad that you guys won’t be able to see it, but it doesn’t take away from the amazing experience that I had,” the actress said in a video message on her Instagram.

“I wanna say thank you to Sarah, the Zuckerman sisters, Chloé. I love you guys. I also wanna say thank you to all the fans and all the people that believed in this new chapter and who believed in me. So, thank you, guys. Thank you to the cast that I worked with, you guys are awesome,” she continued.

“I guess all I want to say is, you know, we brought this back for you guys and, you know, Buffy is such a big part of all of our lives, and it’s not going anywhere. So, who knows what the future will hold?” Armstrong concluded.

Zhao, the Oscar-winning director of Hamnet, responded to the cancellation of the pilot for Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale.

“I had an incredible, incredible time with Sarah [Michelle Gellar], with all the cast and crew doing this. And we, first and foremost, see ourselves as the guardians of the original show,” Zhao said. “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.”

Are you disappointed that the Buffy reboot has been cancelled? Let me know in the comments below.

Buffy finds new slayer from Star Wars

The upcoming Buffy revival has found its slayer! Star Wars: Skeleton Crew's Ryan Kiera Armstrong.

"I want to introduce you to [Ryan Kiera Armstrong]," Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote on Instagram underneath a video telling a teary-eyed Armstrong that she got the part. "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. Welcome to #NewSunnydale #btvs."

Armstrong will play the new slayer opposite Gellar, who is reprising the role of Buffy Summers. Oscar winner Chloé Zhao is directing the pilot, written by Nora and Lilla Zuckerman.

"We are so overjoyed to have found this generation's slayer in Ryan Kiera Armstrong, she absolutely blew us away — there is no question in our mind that she is the chosen one," Nora and Lilla said in a statement.

Are you excited about a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot or revival on Hulu on Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

Buffy revival on Hulu?

Hulu is close to green-lighting a pilot for a reboot or revival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Excitement from fans (myself included) is fever pitch for the return of the cult series, with Sarah Michelle Gellar (Star Wars Rebels), who played the titular vampire slayer, taking to social media to confirm it has been in the works for several years.

"So... you might have heard some news this week, but I realize you haven’t heard from me.

Three years ago, I got a call from my dear friend and mentor, Gail Berman. She told me that she wanted me to sit down with Chloé Zhao to hear her take on a potential “Buffy” revival. I was blown away that Chloé even knew who I was, but, as I’ve always done, I told Gail that I just didn’t see a way for the show to exist again. We’d always been aligned on that, but this time I heard something different in her voice. I eventually agreed to go (mainly just to meet Chloé) and our twenty minute coffee quickly turned into a four hour adventure. We laughed, we cried, but mostly we both talked about how much this show means to us.

While I didn’t agree to anything at that meeting, I did shock myself by agreeing to continue the conversation. These conversations did, in fact, continue over the next few years and eventually we added the incredible Nora and Lilla Zuckerman to our little tribe until ultimately, one day, we landed on an idea.

I have always listened to the fans and heard your desire to revisit “Buffy” and her world, but it was not something I could do unless I was sure we would get it right. This has been a long process, and it’s not over yet. I promise you, we will only make this show if we know we can do it right. And I will tell you that we are on the path there.

I feel so lucky to be on this journey with these four unbelievably talented women, all of whom love “Buffy” as much as I do. And as much as you do. Thank you to all the fans who never stopped asking for this. This will be for you."

Gellar has not confirmed whether this is a reboot or revival. Either way, I'm in.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the spin-off series Angel, Star Trek, and The X-Files sustained me during the 1990s and early 2000s before Doctor Who returned in 2005. For seven seasons, I adored the adventures of the Scooby Gang (Heat magazine printed my letter in 1999) and have cherished memories of watching the series with my late mum. Since Mum died in 2007, I haven't been able to watch The Body.

Are you excited about a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot or revival on Hulu on Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

Buffy free on Tubi in time for Halloween

It’s the spooky season and according to Comicbook Buffy the Vampire Slayer starts streaming for free on Tubi from Friday.

All seven seasons of the beloved supernatural series created by Joss Whedon (Firefly) and starring Sarah Michelle Gellar (Star Wars Rebels) as the titular vampire slayer are available on Disney+. Buffy alumni Emma Caulfield stars in the WandaVision spin-off Agatha All Along. Award-winning composer Christophe Beck (Frozen) composed music for Buffy, WandaVision and Agatha All Along.

Along with The X-Files, I adored the adventures of Buffy (Heat magazine printed my letter) and have cherished memories of watching the series with my late mum. Since she died in 2007, I haven't been able to watch The Body, which was in memory of Whedon's mother.

Tubi, a free ad-supported streaming service owned by the Fox Corporation, relaunched in the UK in the summer and hosts Halloween scares.

Are you looking forward to watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Tubi? Let me know in the comments below.

Sarah Michelle Gellar joins cast of Star Wars Rebels

Disney has announced Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) will be joining her husband, Freddie Prinze Jr., in the second season of Star Wars Rebels on Disney XD. There's no news on her character, but it will be a recurring role.

Dave Filoni said, “We’re thrilled to have Sarah Michelle Gellar on board for season two. She is a true ‘Star Wars Rebels’ fan and her passion undoubtedly comes through in the voice recording sessions.”

The second season sees recurring appearances of franchise favourites including Darth Vader and Ahsoka Tano (The Clone Wars) who appeared in the season one finale.

Which role do you think Ms Gellar will play? Let me know in the comments below.

Alice: Madness Returns

Sarah Michelle Gellar may never get to play Alice in the on-off movie adaptation of American McGee's Alice. However, this summer gamers get a chance to reprise the role, eleven years on, in the first sequel to McGee's macabre masterpiece, which remains one of my all time favourite video games (I still own a copy for Mac OS).



Alice: Madness Returns delves deep into the dark and violent side of the imagination, creating a nightmarish Wonderland where Alice must face the demons that haunt her visions. Visit the grim reality of Victorian London and then travel to the beautiful yet ghastly Wonderland to uncover the root of Alice’s madness and discover the truth behind a deadly secret, kept hidden for years.



Eleven years ago a horrific fire took Alice’s family from her and left her mind horrifically scarred. Afterwards she was confined to Rutledge Asylum, where she struggled to confront her demons by slipping further into her fantasy world of Wonderland. Now, after ten years, she has finally secured her release—yet she still bears the heavy psychological burden of that tragic event.



With her mind in tatters, she is unable to resolve the fear prompted by her strange memories, dreams, and visions. Perhaps she’ll do better in Wonderland. She always has. She travels there, seeking what the “real” world can’t provide: security, knowledge, and the truth about the past. But in her absence, Wonderland too has suffered. Something has gone horribly wrong, and now a great evil is descending upon what once was her beautiful refuge. Can Alice save Wonderland—and herself—from the madness that consumes them both?

Those with an artistic bent should pickup a copy of The Art of Alice: Madness Returns.

Pre-order Alice: Madness Returns for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 now.