Sarah Michelle Gellar, David Boreanaz Shade Buffy Reboot Cancellation

Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz slayed their rare reunion.

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer alums made a special joint appearance on the Emmys 2026 stage, nearly two decades after the cult classic TV show came to an end in 2003. It was their first public reunion in nine years. 

"Hard to believe it's been 30 years since Buffy the Vampire Slayer premiered," Boreanaz remarked at the Sept. 14 ceremony in Los Angeles' Peacock Theater, prompting Gellar to joke, "For those of you keeping track at home, I had just turned two."

Indeed, Gellar and Boreanaz—who played the titular vampire slayer and her star-crossed love interest Angel, respectively—seemed to pick up right where they left off when it came to their onscreen chemistry. 

"When you think about it, it is kind of crazy, right? A teenage girl chosen by fate to fight vampires, demons, the forces of darkness," Boreanaz continued, "and then she falls in love with a vampire with a soul, carrying around a couple 100 years of regret."

"I always thought that Buffy and Angel would end up together," he added, with Gellar playfully taking a dig at the canceled reboot, "Well, I guess we won't find out."

The costars' walk down memory lane also honored their late castmates. Anthony Head, who played librarian Rupert Giles, died on June 5 at age 72, while Nicholas Brendon, who played Buffy's friend Xander Harris, died on March 20 at 54 years old. In addition, Ice Princess star Michelle Trachtenberg—who played Buffy's younger sister Dawn—died at the age of 39 in 2025. 

"David and I would like to acknowledge that it has been a tough two years for our beloved cast and crew," Gellar shared, "and we feel very lucky to have known and worked with such amazing people."

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As such, the heartwarming homecoming gave Buffy fans—who became hooked for seven seasons following its 1997 debut—a chance to relive the magic of the WB series, especially as Gellar's revival project with director Chloé Zhao ultimately did not move forward, as the actress announced in March.

"I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me," she explained in the Instagram video March 14. “Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward with Buffy: New Sunnydale."

"I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy's stylish yet affordable boots," Gellar continued. "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."

 Despite the pause in Buffy's story, the cast's unbreakable bond has stood the test of time, such as when they reunited in 2017 to celebrate the 20th anniversary with a photoshoot for Entertainment Weekly.

Keep reading to see all the evening's big wins at the Emmys.

Don't miss the Emmy Awards 2026 live telecast tonight, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC and streaming on Peacock. E!'s red carpet kicks off at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.