Editing Buffy the Vampire Slayer (section)

==Spin-offs==
''Buffy'' has inspired a range of official works, including television shows, books, comics, games, and podcasts. This expansion of the series encouraged use of the term "[[Buffyverse]]" to describe the franchise and the fictional universe in which ''Buffy'' and related stories take place.<ref>Walton, Andy, "[http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/19/buffy.sidebar/ Slang-age in the Buffyverse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030450/http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/19/buffy.sidebar/ |date=March 4, 2016 }}", ''CNN'' (February 18, 2004 ).</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thespec.com/whatson-story/7186866-how-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-changed-tv/ |title=How Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed TV |date=March 13, 2017 |work=The Hamilton Spectator |access-date=June 12, 2017 |archive-date=April 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403234558/https://www.thespec.com/whatson-story/7186866-how-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-changed-tv/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The franchise has inspired ''Buffy'' action figures and merchandise such as [[Buffyverse Magazines (UK)|official ''Buffy/Angel'' magazines]] and [[List of Buffyverse guidebooks|''Buffy'' companion books]]. Eden Studios has published a [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (roleplaying game)|''Buffy'' role-playing game]], while [[Score Entertainment]] has released a [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Collectible Card Game|''Buffy'' Collectible Card Game]].

===Continuations===
The story line was continued in a series of comic books produced by [[Joss Whedon]] and published by [[Dark Horse Comics]], which serve as a canonical continuation of the television series. The series began in 2007 with ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'' and was followed by ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine]]'' in 2011, ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten]]'' in 2014, ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eleven'' in 2016, and ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Twelve]]'' in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/joss-whedon-buffy-comics/|title=Joss Whedon is returning to 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'|work=[[The Daily Dot]]|date=February 22, 2018|first=Gavia|last=Baker-Whitelaw|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-date=June 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614194731/https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/joss-whedon-buffy-comics/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Joss Whedon]] was interested in a film continuation in 1998,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/1998/film/news/whedon-fox-vamping-1117471584/ |author1=Hontz, Jenny |author2=Petrikin, Chris |title=Whedon, Fox vamping |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=June 5, 1998 |access-date=November 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107181641/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117471584 |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> but such a film never materialized.

====Planned reboot or sequel====
In July 2018, [[20th Century Fox Television]] reportedly began development on a television [[reboot (fiction)|reboot]] of the series. [[Monica Owusu-Breen]] was to serve as [[showrunner]] and had been working on the script with Whedon, who was to be an executive producer.<ref name="The Hollywood Reporter 20 July 2018">{{cite news |title='Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Inclusive Reboot in the Works With Joss Whedon |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/buffy-vampire-slayer-reboot-inclusive-take-joss-whedon-works-1128888 |access-date=July 21, 2018 |first=Lesley |last=Goldberg |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=July 20, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721011858/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/buffy-vampire-slayer-reboot-inclusive-take-joss-whedon-works-1128888 |url-status=live }}</ref> News of Whedon's involvement was seen as reassuring by fans,<ref name = "BBC News 21 July 2018" /> though the extent of his involvement was unclear; other executive producers reported to be involved included [[Gail Berman]], [[Fran Rubel Kuzui|Fran Kuzui]], and [[Kaz Kuzui]], all credited as executive producers for the original series.<ref name = "Deadline Hollywood 20 July 2018">{{cite news |title='Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Series Reboot With Black Lead In Works From Monica Owusu-Breen & Joss Whedon |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |date=July 20, 2018 |access-date=July 22, 2018 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-series-reboot-in-works-black-lead-monica-owusu-breen-joss-whedon-1202430592/ |archive-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721011710/https://deadline.com/2018/07/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-series-reboot-in-works-black-lead-monica-owusu-breen-joss-whedon-1202430592/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = "Variety 20 July 2018">{{cite news |title='Buffy the Vampire Slayer' TV Reboot in Development From Joss Whedon, Monica Owusu-Breen |first=Joe |last=Otterson |date=July 20, 2018 |access-date=July 22, 2018 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-tv-reboot-1202880128/ |archive-date=July 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720234359/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-tv-reboot-1202880128/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to anonymous sources who spoke with ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' and ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'', the producers wanted the new series to be "richly diverse ... [and] some aspects of the series could be seen as metaphors for issues facing society today"<ref name="The Hollywood Reporter 20 July 2018" /><ref name = "Deadline Hollywood 20 July 2018" />–similar to the way Gellar described the original series as the "ultimate metaphor" for coping with adolescence.<ref name = "Guardian 21 July 2018" /> The producers intended "for the new slayer to be African American", an example of the diversity they wish to portray.<ref name = "Deadline Hollywood 20 July 2018" /> The report from ''Deadline Hollywood'' cautioned that "the project is still in nascent stages with no script, and many details are still in flux".<ref name = "Deadline Hollywood 20 July 2018" />

At the time of ''Buffy'''s 20th anniversary in 2017, Whedon expressed fear of reboots, commenting that when "something [is brought] back, and even if it's exactly as good as it was, the experience can't be. You've already experienced it, and part of what was great was going through it for the first time. You have to meet expectations and adjust it for the climate, which is not easily [done]."<ref name = "Hollywood Reporter 10 March 2017">{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/buffy-at-20-joss-whedon-talks-tv-today-reboot-fatigue-trouble-binging-984885 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=March 10, 2017 |first=Michael |last=O'Connell |title='Buffy' at 20: Joss Whedon Talks TV Today, Reboot Fatigue and the Trouble With Binging |access-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722100030/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/buffy-at-20-joss-whedon-talks-tv-today-reboot-fatigue-trouble-binging-984885 |url-status=live }}</ref> Similar concerns were expressed about the decision to reboot the series, rather than to revive it or further expand the Buffyverse.<ref name = "BBC News 21 July 2018">{{cite news |work=[[Newsbeat]] |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=July 21, 2018 |access-date=July 22, 2018 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44911405 |title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer to get TV reboot |archive-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722140234/https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44911405 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="News.com.au 21 July 2018">{{cite news |date=July 21, 2018 |access-date=July 22, 2018 |title=Fans in uproar over Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot |website=[[news.com.au]] |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/flashback/buffy-reboot-confirmed/news-story/60c305d8f06f0a06caa2b273549d3851 |publisher=[[News Corp Australia]] |archive-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722095842/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/flashback/buffy-reboot-confirmed/news-story/60c305d8f06f0a06caa2b273549d3851 |url-status=live }}</ref> Reports that a black actress was to assume the iconic role of Buffy,<ref name="The Hollywood Reporter 20 July 2018" /><ref name = "Variety 20 July 2018" /> rather than having a new character or Slayer created, have been met with questions and concerns.<ref name = "BBC News 21 July 2018" /><ref name = "News.com.au 21 July 2018" /><ref name = "Vox 20 July 2018">{{cite news |title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer is getting a reboot with a black woman in the lead role |first=Aja |last=Romano |date=July 20, 2018 |access-date=July 22, 2018 |url=https://www.vox.com/2018/7/20/17597272/buffy-reboot-joss-whedon-black-woman-lead-monica-breen |work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |archive-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722130019/https://www.vox.com/2018/7/20/17597272/buffy-reboot-joss-whedon-black-woman-lead-monica-breen |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Vox (website)|Vox]] noted that "the original series already had multiple characters of color who could factor into an 'inclusive' reboot–including the black slayer Kendra and the 'First Slayer'" – leaving fans wondering "why a reboot has to racebend Buffy, when it could simply focus on a different character".<ref name = "Vox 20 July 2018" /> A Twitter message posted by Owusu-Breen on July 26, 2018, was interpreted by media outlets as indicating that the new series would not recast the role of Buffy and instead would focus on a new Slayer.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Robinson|first1=Tasha|title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot showrunner clarifies: it's not a reboot|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/26/17619650/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-monica-owusu-breen-reboot-sequel-series-new-slayer-fray-comics|date=July 26, 2018|work=The Verge|access-date=November 22, 2018|archive-date=September 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917202733/https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/26/17619650/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-monica-owusu-breen-reboot-sequel-series-new-slayer-fray-comics|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2022, executive producer Gail Berman announced that the series was put "on pause" indefinitely.<ref name="IGNreboot">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-reboot-indefinitely-paused |title=The Buffy the Vampire Slayer Reboot Indefinitely Paused |website=IGN |first=Ryan |last=Leston |date=August 19, 2022 |access-date=August 23, 2022 |archive-date=August 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822184030/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-reboot-indefinitely-paused |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2024, Dolly Parton stated that the producers were still working on the reboot and were "revamping it."<ref name="People-Parton">{{Cite web |title=Dolly Parton Says 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Producers Are 'Revamping' Reboot After Failed First Stab |url=https://people.com/dolly-parton-says-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-producers-are-revamping-reboot-8553198 |first=Stephanie |last=Wagner |date=January 30, 2024 |access-date=February 4, 2024 |website=People}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tinoco |first=Armando |date=January 29, 2024 |title=Dolly Parton On Potential 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' Revival: "They're Still Working On That" |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/dolly-parton-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-revival-1235807223/ |access-date=February 4, 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2025, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that a ''Buffy'' sequel series was nearing a pilot order at [[Hulu]] without Whedon's involvement. Gellar was set to reprise her role and serve as an executive producer alongside [[Gail Berman]], [[Fran Kuzui]], [[Kaz Kuzui]], and Parton. [[Chloé Zhao]] was appointed as the pilot's director, with [[Nora Zuckerman|Nora]] and [[Lilla Zuckerman]] credited as the writers. The new series would feature a new Slayer as the primary protagonist, while Buffy Summers would appear in a recurring role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2025-02-03 |title='Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Sequel Series With Sarah Michelle Gellar Returning Nears Hulu Pilot Order |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-revival-hulu-sarah-michelle-gellar-pilot-1236291559/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> In May 2025, [[Ryan Kiera Armstrong]] was cast in the lead role.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=May 15, 2025 |title=‘Buffy’ Reboot Finds Its New Slayer: Ryan Kiera Armstrong To Star With Sarah Michelle Gellar In Hulu Pilot |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/buffy-reboot-ryan-kiera-armstrong-new-slayer-1236398811/ |access-date=May 15, 2025 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref>

===''Angel''===
{{main|Angel (1999 TV series)}}

The [[spin-off (media)|spin-off]] ''Angel'' was introduced in October 1999, at the start of ''Buffy'' season four. The series was created by ''Buffy'''s creator [[Joss Whedon]] in collaboration with [[David Greenwalt]]. Like ''Buffy'', it was produced by the production company [[Mutant Enemy Productions|Mutant Enemy]]. At times, it performed better in the [[Nielsen ratings]] than its parent series did.<ref name = "insightbb-buffy"/>

The series was given a darker tone, focusing on the ongoing trials of Angel in Los Angeles. His character is tormented by guilt following the return of his soul, punishment for more than a century of murder and torture. During the first four seasons of the show, he works as a [[private detective]] in a fictionalized version of [[Los Angeles, California]], where he and his associates work to "help the helpless", to restore the faith and "save the souls" of those who have lost their way. Typically, this mission involves doing battle with demons or demonically allied humans (primarily the law firm Wolfram & Hart), while Angel must also contend with his own violent nature. In season five, the Senior Partners of Wolfram and Hart take a bold gamble in their campaign to corrupt Angel, giving him control of their Los Angeles office. Angel accepts the deal as an opportunity to fight evil from the inside.

In addition to Boreanaz, ''Angel'' inherited ''Buffy'' series cast regular [[Charisma Carpenter]] ([[Cordelia Chase]]). When [[Glenn Quinn]] ([[Doyle (Angel)|Doyle]]) left the series during its first season, [[Alexis Denisof]] ([[Wesley Wyndam-Pryce]]), who played a recurring character in the last nine episodes of season three of ''Buffy'', took his place. Carpenter and Denisof were followed later by [[Mercedes McNab]] ([[Harmony Kendall]]) and [[James Marsters]] ([[Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Spike]]). Several actors and actresses who played ''Buffy'' characters made guest appearances on ''Angel'', including [[Seth Green]] ([[Oz (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Daniel "Oz" Osbourne]]), [[Sarah Michelle Gellar]] ([[Buffy Summers]]), [[Eliza Dushku]] ([[Faith (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Faith]]), [[Tom Lenk]] ([[Andrew Wells]]), [[Alyson Hannigan]] ([[Willow Rosenberg]]), [[Julie Benz]] ([[Darla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Darla]]), [[Mark Metcalf]] ([[Master (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Master]]), [[Julia Lee (actress)|Julia Lee]] ([[Anne Steele (Buffyverse)|Anne Steele]]) and [[Juliet Landau]] ([[Drusilla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Drusilla]]). Angel also continued to appear occasionally on ''Buffy''.

Other actors that appeared in both the ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' and ''Angel'' series but as different characters include: Bob Fimiani as Mr. Ward, a head of the Department of Defense in ''Buffy'' and Glith-roo, a Codger Demon in ''Angel''; [[Carlos Jacott]] as a demon named Ken in ''Buffy'' and a different demon named Richard Straley in ''Angel''; [[Jonathan M. Woodward]] as a vampire and former classmate in ''Buffy'' named Holden Webster and Knox, a Wolfram and Hart scientist in ''Angel''; and [[Andy Umberger]] who played a demon named D'Hoffryn in ''Buffy'' and a predator named Ronald Meltzer in ''Angel''.

The storyline has been continued in the comic book series ''[[Angel: After the Fall]]'' published by [[IDW Publishing]] and later ''[[Angel and Faith]]'' published by [[Dark Horse Comics]].

=== Expanded universe ===
{{Main|Buffyverse canon|Buffy the Vampire Slayer video games|List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer novels|List of Buffyverse comics}}

The series' fiction has been officially expanded and elaborated on by authors and artists in the so-called "Buffyverse [[Expanded Universe]]". The creators of these works may or may not keep to established continuity. Similarly, writers for the TV series were under no obligation to use information which had been established by the Expanded Universe, and sometimes contradicted such continuity.

[[Dark Horse Comics|Dark Horse]] has published the [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics|''Buffy'' comics]] since 1998.<ref>"[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/98-372-a/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-1-photo-cover Buffy the Vampire Slayer#1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106211629/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/98-372-a/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-1-photo-cover |date=November 6, 2015 }}" ''Dark Horse Comics'' ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1" released September 23, 1998).</ref> In 2003, Whedon wrote an eight-issue miniseries for Dark Horse Comics titled ''[[Fray (comic)|Fray]]'', about a Slayer in the future. Following the publication of ''[[Tales of the Vampires]]'' in 2004, ''Dark Horse Comics'' halted publication on Buffyverse-related comics and graphic novels. The company produced Whedon's ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'' with forty issues from March 2007 to January 2011, picking up where the television show left off—taking the place of an eighth [[canon (fiction)|canonical]] season.<ref name="ew-firstlook" /> The first story arc is also written by Whedon and is called "[[The Long Way Home (Buffy comic)|The Long Way Home]]", which has been widely well-received, with circulation rivaling industry leaders [[DC Comics|DC]] and [[Marvel Comics|Marvel's]] top-selling titles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://comicsbeat.com/dc-comics-month-to-month-sales-april-2007/ |title=DC Comics Month-to-month Sales: April 2007 |date=June 5, 2007 |access-date=June 4, 2007 |publisher=The Beat |archive-date=May 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513011617/http://comicsbeat.com/dc-comics-month-to-month-sales-april-2007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After "[[The Long Way Home (Buffy comic)|The Long Way Home]]" came other story arcs like Faith's return in "[[No Future for You]]" and a ''Fray'' crossover in "[[Time of Your Life (Buffy comic)|Time of Your Life]]". Dark Horse later followed ''Season Eight'' with ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine]]'', starting in 2011, and ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten]]'', which began in 2014. Dark Horse continued to publish ''Buffy'' comics continuing the story after the television show until September 2018, when it released the final issue of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Twelve]]'', which intended to bring closure to the series. Following the end of Dark Horse's ''Buffy'' series, [[Boom! Studios]] acquired the license to publish ''Buffy'' comics. Taking a different approach from Dark Horse, Boom! Studios decided to publish a new [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Boom! Studios)|rebooted ''Buffy'' series]] in 2019 with many elements updated to be more contemporary. Boom! Studio's approach to rebooting ''Buffy'' has been stylistically compared to the ''[[Ultimate Marvel]]'' series by the creators.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/comics/2019/01/23/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-interview-jordie-bellaire-jeanine-schaefer/ |title=interview with Jordie Bellaire and Jeanie Schaefer |publisher=ComicBook.com |first=Jamie |last=Lovett |date=January 23, 2019 |access-date=April 21, 2019 |archive-date=April 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421201505/https://comicbook.com/comics/2019/01/23/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-interview-jordie-bellaire-jeanine-schaefer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Joss Whedon is not as involved in the rebooted ''Buffy'' comic as he was in Dark Horse's continuation, however he did take part in the initial development stages for the series and gave his blessing to the creators.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/01/23/why-boom-studios-decided-to-reboot-buffy-the-vampire-slayer |title=Why Boom! Studios Decided to Reboot Buffy the Vampire Slayer |website=IGN |first=Jesse |last=Schedeen |date=January 23, 2019 |access-date=April 21, 2019 |archive-date=April 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421201507/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/01/23/why-boom-studios-decided-to-reboot-buffy-the-vampire-slayer |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Simon & Schuster]] holds the license to produce [[List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer novels|''Buffy'' novels]], of which they published more than sixty between 1998 and 2008, under their [[Pocket Books]] and [[Simon Pulse]] imprints. These sometimes flesh out background information on characters; for example, ''[[Go Ask Malice]]'' details the events that lead up to Faith arriving in Sunnydale. The most recent novels include ''[[Carnival of Souls (Buffy novel)|Carnival of Souls]]'', ''[[Blackout (Buffy novel)|Blackout]]'', ''[[Portal Through Time]]'', ''[[Bad Bargain]]'', ''The Deathless'' and ''One Thing or Your Mother''. After a ten-year hiatus, two additional novels were published in 2019 and 2020, following on from story threads in the comic book series.

Five official [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer video games|''Buffy'' video games]] have been released on portable and home consoles.<ref name="buffygames">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/search/?qs=Buffy+the+Vampire+Slayer |title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer |website=GameSpot |access-date=July 22, 2008 |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116043625/https://www.gamespot.com/search/?qs=Buffy%20the%20Vampire%20Slayer |url-status=live }}</ref> Most notably, ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2002 video game)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' for Xbox in 2002 and ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds|Chaos Bleeds]]'' for [[GameCube]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and [[PlayStation 2]] in 2003.<ref name="buffychaosbleeds">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/buffystuff/videogame/chaosbleeds.shtml |title=BBC – Buffy: Chaos Bleeds |publisher=BBC |access-date=July 22, 2008 |archive-date=March 20, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050320135151/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/buffystuff/videogame/chaosbleeds.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2023, an [[radio drama|audio series]] titled ''Slayers: A Buffyverse Story'' was announced, to premiere on October 12, 2023, on [[Audible (service)|Audible]]. The series is set 10 years after the events of the series finale and the story is led by Spike ([[James Marsters]]); also returning are  [[Charisma Carpenter]], [[Anthony Head]], [[Juliet Landau]], [[Emma Caulfield]], [[Amber Benson]], [[James C. Leary]], and [[Danny Strong]]. The series was written by Benson and [[Christopher Golden]], and directed by Benson, Golden, and Kc Wayland.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-universe-audio-series-original-cast-james-marsters-charisma-carpenter-finale-anniversary-1235546454/ |title='Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Universe Audio Series Set With Original Cast Members Returning |website=Deadline |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |date=September 13, 2023 |access-date=September 13, 2023}}</ref> In February 2024, Audible canceled the series after one season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tvline.com/news/slayers-cancelled-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-audiobook-audible-1235171765/ |title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer Audiobook Series Slayers Cancelled at Audible |website=TVLine |first=Kimberly |last=Roots |date=February 21, 2024 |access-date=April 9, 2024}}</ref>

===Undeveloped spinoffs===
{{main|Undeveloped Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoffs}}

The popularity of ''Buffy'' and ''Angel'' has led to attempts to develop more on-screen ventures in the fictional 'Buffyverse'. These projects remain undeveloped and may never be [[greenlight|greenlit]]. In 2002, two potential spinoffs were in discussion: ''[[Buffy: The Animated Series]]'' and [[Undeveloped Buffyverse productions#Ripper|''Ripper'']]. ''Buffy: The Animated Series'' was a proposed animated TV show based on ''Buffy''; Whedon and [[Jeph Loeb]] were to be executive producers for the show, and most of the cast from ''Buffy'' were to return to voice their characters. [[20th Century Fox Television|20th Century Fox]] showed an interest in developing and selling the show to another network. A three-minute pilot was completed in 2004 but was never picked up. Whedon revealed to ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'': "We just could not find a home for it. We had six or seven hilarious scripts from our own staff–and nobody wanted it."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1889839 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930204043/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1889839 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |title=Dialogue with 'Buffy' creator Joss Whedon |author=Hockensmith, Steve |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 16, 2003 |access-date=May 23, 2010}}</ref> Writer [[Jane Espenson]] has teased small extracts from some of her scripts for the show.<ref>Espenson, Jane, "[http://www.janeespenson.com/archives/00000095.php Reading what's been written to sound written as it's spoken] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411213112/http://www.janeespenson.com/archives/00000095.php |date=April 11, 2016 }}", ''Janeespenson.com'' (May 9, 2006) & "[http://www.janeespenson.com/archives/00000097.php Sorry, JVC, but it's simply true] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411213113/http://www.janeespenson.com/archives/00000097.php |date=April 11, 2016 }}", ''Janeespenson.com'' (May 11, 2006).</ref>

''Ripper'' was originally a proposed television show based upon the character of [[Rupert Giles]] portrayed by [[Anthony Stewart Head]]. More recent information has suggested that if ''Ripper'' were ever made, it would be a TV movie or a [[Direct-to-video|DVD movie]].<ref>''[[Buffyverse Magazines (UK)|UK Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel Magazine]]''. Titan Magazines, Issue 80, (December 2005), p19.</ref> There was little heard about the series until 2007 when Joss Whedon confirmed that talks were almost completed for a 90-minute ''Ripper'' special on the BBC<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2007/07/28/comic-con-joss-whedon-panel-report/ |title=Comic-Con: Joss Whedon panel report |publisher=HuffPost TV |access-date=January 19, 2022 |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729162113/http://www.aoltv.com/2007/07/28/comic-con-joss-whedon-panel-report/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> with both Head and the BBC completely on board.

In 2003, a year after the first public discussions on ''Buffy: The Animated Series'' and ''Ripper'', ''Buffy'' was nearing its end. Espenson said during the time spin-offs were being discussed, "I think [[Marti Noxon|Marti]] talked with Joss about ''[[Undeveloped Buffyverse productions#Slayer School|Slayer School]]'' and [[Tim Minear]] talked with him about Faith on a motorcycle. I assume there was some back-and-forth pitching."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/buffy/2003/07/03/5522.shtml |title=Dear Jane |publisher=BBC.co.uk |date=July 3, 2003 |access-date=March 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030708105652/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/buffy/2003/07/03/5522.shtml |archive-date=July 8, 2003}}</ref> Espenson has revealed that ''Slayer School'' might have used new slayers and potentially included [[Willow Rosenberg]], but Whedon did not think that such a spinoff felt right.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/14787 |title=Way Interesting Buffy Bits (Courtesy Jane E & Others) |publisher=Ain't It Cool News |date=March 21, 2003 |access-date=January 19, 2022 |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119052545/http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/14787 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/buffy/2003/03/24/3421.shtml |title=Spin-offs stop spinning |publisher=BBC.co.uk |date=March 24, 2003 |access-date=March 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040405030949/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/buffy/2003/03/24/3421.shtml |archive-date=April 5, 2004}}</ref>

Dushku declined the pitch for a Buffyverse [[Undeveloped Buffyverse productions#Faith the Vampire Slayer|TV series based on Faith]] and instead agreed to a deal to produce ''[[Tru Calling]]''. Dushku explained to [[IGN]]: "It would have been a really hard thing to do, and not that I would not have been up for a challenge, but with it coming on immediately following ''Buffy'', I think that those would have been really big boots to fill."<ref>{{cite web |author=Kuhn, Sarah |url=https://ign.com/articles/2003/05/28/an-interview-with-eliza-dushku?page=2 |title=An Interview with Eliza Dushku |website=IGN |date=May 28, 2003 |access-date=March 9, 2013 |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002134323/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/28/an-interview-with-eliza-dushku?page=2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Tim Minear explained some of the ideas behind the aborted series: "The show was basically going to be Faith meets ''[[Kung Fu (1972 TV series)|Kung Fu]]''. It would have been Faith, probably on a motorcycle, crossing the earth, trying to find her place in the world."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/buffy/2003/04/14/3812.shtml |title=Kung Fu Faith |publisher=BBC.co.uk |date=April 14, 2003 |access-date=March 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314055320/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/buffy/2003/04/14/3812.shtml |archive-date=March 14, 2007}}</ref>

Finally, during the summer of 2004 after the end of ''Angel'', a movie about [[Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Spike]] was proposed.<ref>[http://whedonesque.com/comments/3877 Spike TV movie on the cards?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624162344/http://whedonesque.com/comments/3877 |date=June 24, 2016 }}, ''Whedonesque.com'' (May 9, 2004). Marsters is indirectly quoted about the possibility of a Spike movie in May 2004.</ref> The movie would have been directed by Tim Minear and starred Marsters and [[Amy Acker]] and featured Alyson Hannigan.<ref>Saney, Daniel, "[https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a24796/whedon-eyes-willow-for-spike-movie/ Whedon eyes Willow for Spike movie] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119052543/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a24796/whedon-eyes-willow-for-spike-movie/ |date=January 19, 2022 }}", ''Digital Spy'' (September 28, 2005). Originally reported by ''TV Guide''.</ref> Outside the 2006 [[Saturn Award]]s, Whedon announced that he had pitched the concept to various bodies but had yet to receive any feedback.<ref>"[http://whedonesque.com/comments/10310 Video interview with Joss from the Saturn Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624165143/http://whedonesque.com/comments/10310 |date=June 24, 2016 }}", ''Whedonesque.com'' (February 15, 2006). Originally reported by ''Iesb.net''.</ref>

In September 2008, ''Sci-Fi Wire'' ran an interview with Sarah Michelle Gellar in which she said she would not rule out returning to her most iconic role: "Never say never", she said. "One of the reasons the original ''Buffy'' movie did not really work on the big screen–and people blamed Kristy, but that's not what it was–the story was better told over a long arc", Gellar said. "And I worry about Buffy as a 'beginning, middle and end' so quickly. ... You show me a script; you show me that it works, and you show me that [the] audience can accept that, [and] I'd probably be there. Those are what my hesitations are."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whedon.info/Sarah-Michelle-Gellar-New-Buffy.html |title=Sarah Michelle Gellar – New "Buffy" Movie – A Film Wouldn't Work |publisher=Sci-Fi Wire |date=January 22, 2008 |access-date=September 10, 2010 |archive-date=April 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410204658/http://www.whedon.info/Sarah-Michelle-Gellar-New-Buffy.html |url-status=live }}</ref>