Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar has given fans a first glimpse at her iconic character in more than 20 years — now dressed in a red power suit.
Proving that Sunnydale High School was a long time ago, Buffy’s new business dress has sparked plenty of debate among fans over what the vampire slayer is up to in 2025 — or whether her corporate dress sense is all it appears.
According to the Daily Mail, the photos show Gellar on the set of Hulu’s forthcoming Buffy reboot, which is now filming its pilot episode.
Fan reaction to Buffy’s new look — her red suit and tall pink heels — has ranged from surprise (from fans saying this isn’t the same action hero Buffy seen in the classic series) to acknowledgement that, well, Buffy is now in her mid-40s, and it’s good she has more going on in her life than hanging out in magic shops and dusting vampires.
“Buffy looks FABULOUS,” wrote one fan, hennydreafull, on X. “She looks like she finally has stability in her life when she didn’t in the first 7 years after becoming a slayer, dying, saving the world, dying, saving the world, saving the world, etc and yall are really fixated on an outfit.”
“Seeing people crash out because SMG was seen wearing a red dress on the set of the new Buffy is so funny to me!” added fivexbyxfive. “What did you expect khaki pants and a Dior crop top?!”
buffy looks FABULOUS. she looks like she finally has stability in her life when she didn’t in the first 7 years after becoming a slayer, dying, saving the world, dying, saving the world, saving the world, etc and yall are really fixated on an outfit. SHHHHHHHH 🤭 pic.twitter.com/SP8B7pWlsP
— 🔮 (@hennydreadfull) August 10, 2025
“She’s dressed like that because Buffy Summers works in claims,” joked CriticalOverlo3. “Obviously, she’ll be picking up a stake at some point.”
My favourite take, though, comes from ScarletWidow901, who pointed out that the red power suit is actually very similar to one worn by Buffy in a classic episode, when she was deliberately attempting to appear more mature in order to get a loan.
Nothing would feel more Buffy-like than the release of these photos now, making viewers believe the series’ heroine has gone corporate, only for viewers to be surprised within minutes of the first episode as Buffy reveals it all to be a disguise or gimmick, presumably to dust some new vampire CEO.
Am I the only one who 1. Doesn’t see a problem with the dress. Regarding the era change. 2. Sees the dress as kinda a call back from when Buffy was trying to figure out how to get a loan.
It’s probably a more professional fit than a “this is true Buffy”. Idk. https://t.co/8yH2W37o8D pic.twitter.com/IiEgNIzEbT
— 🇵🇷𝕹𝖆𝖙𝖆𝖑𝖎𝖆 𝕺𝖗𝖙𝖎𝖟⧗𝕽𝖔𝖒𝖆𝖓𝖔𝖋𝖋🇵🇷 (@ScarletWidow901) August 9, 2025
Last week, Gellar posted a behind the scenes video offering a first look at herself training for the series alongside Ryan Kiera Armstrong, the new lead of the reboot series.
The two actors represent the two eras of Buffy, with Gellar set to pass on her slayer baton to Armstrong, last seen in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, during the pilot episode of the upcoming Buffy reboot. Gellar, who is also an executive producer on the series, will then continue to appear albeit in a recurring role.
Should Hulu pick up the pilot episode for a full series, production is expected to continue in 2026, for a potential debut later next year.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
