Buffy Reboot Sparks Fan Theories with New Set Pics

Sarah Michelle Gellar, star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has shared promising news about the series' upcoming reboot following its inaugural table read. The Emmy-winning actress, who serves as executive producer and will reprise her iconic role in the pilot, joined cast and crew on Monday, July 21 for the script reading — with behind-the-scenes photos now sparking fan speculation.

First Look at the Reboot Script

Instagram posts reveal Gellar holding the script for Episode 101, simply titled "Pilot." Notably, the series title has been obscured — fueling questions about whether the reboot will retain the original name. The photos' most intriguing detail appears on the reverse side of the title page, where eagle-eyed fans have spotted an apparent character list including Buffy "Anne" Summers alongside new names: Poppy, Hugo, Gracie, and Mr. Burke.

These names align with March 2024 casting leaks reported by industry insider Daniel Richtman. The reports suggested Gracie would serve as the new lead's best friend — apparently a Buffy superfan in this continuity where the Slayer's exploits have become legendary. Hugo was described as a wealthy "nerdy" love interest, while Mr. Burke would assume the mentor role as the new school librarian.

Name Game: Nova or Poppy?

The script appears to list Ryan Kiera Armstrong's protagonist as Poppy, contrary to earlier reports calling the character Nova. This discrepancy could indicate standard pre-production changes or protective codenames — a common practice during early development to prevent spoilers.

"I love the name Poppy. Honestly, Poppy as a Slayer would be hilarious," wrote one fan in a popular Reddit discussion.

Meanwhile, Buffy's middle name inclusion ("Anne" Summers) suggests the veteran Slayer may be operating incognito — a callback to season two when she briefly lived under that alias.

Gellar previously expressed her desire to involve original cast members, including deceased characters. Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase) told IGN she remains hopeful for a franchise return despite her character's controversial ending in Angel.