A very important part of Hulu’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot puzzle has just been revealed: who’ll be taking on the new generation of vampires alongside original star Sarah Michelle Gellar? It’s 15-year-old Ryan Kiera Armstrong, last seen as Fern on Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
This news comes courtesy of Deadline, which specifies “Armstrong will play the new slayer in the untitled Buffyverse project, which Gellar executive produces in addition to reprising her signature role as Buffy Summers.” The pilot will be directed by Oscar winner Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, Eternals), with Nora and Lilla Zuckerman scripting; the trade notes “the character played by Armstrong is described in casting materials as an introverted high-school student.”
That’s so far about all we know about Buffy 2.0 (which may get an entirely new title, apparently), but Gellar and the Zuckermans both have high praise for their new star. Speaking to Deadline, Gellar praised Armstrong’s “emotional intelligence and talent,” while the writers dubbed her, in perfect Buffy terms, “the chosen one.”
There’s also a cute video of Armstrong (who has thankfully moved well past that unfortunate Firestarter remake) getting the news from Gellar:
This doesn’t bode will for future seasons of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew—but Lucasfilm has yet to make an announcement on that front. What do you think of Armstrong joining the Buffyverse?
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
