Instagram/Sarah Michelle Gellar & C Celebrity Sarah Michelle Gellar returns as Buffy after years of saying "never." Discover why she changed her mind for the new series, New Sunnydale. March 14, 2026 AceShowbiz - Sarah Michelle Gellar initially hesitated to return as Buffy Summers after the original series concluded in 2003 following seven successful seasons. Despite her iconic status as the titular vampire slayer, she was reluctant to revisit the role for quite some time.