EXCLUSIVE: Ryan Kiera Armstrong (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Firestarter) has landed the lead opposite Sarah Michelle Gellar in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, which has a pilot order at Hulu. 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.
Oscar winner Chloé Zhao is directing the pilot, written by Nora and Lilla Zuckerman. No additional information has been provided about the project, referred to as the next chapter in the Buffyverse, which comes from 20th Television and Searchlight TV. The character played by Armstrong is described in casting materials as an introverted high-school student.
There is some symbolism in Armstong’s casting as Geller’s spiritual successor — the actresses’ names, Ryan Kiera Armstrong and Sarah Michelle Gellar, share the same cadence. But it was Armstong’s acting chops that won her the role, Gellar said.
“From the moment I saw Ryan’s audition, I knew there was only one girl that I wanted by my side,” she said. “To have that kind of emotional intelligence, and talent, at such a young age is truly a gift. The bonus is that her smile lights up even the darkest room”
Gellar also recorded a video of her breaking the news to 15-year-old Armstrong that she got the part. (You can watch it below.)
“Thank you for trusting me,” elated Armstrong says through tears when Gellar welcomes her to new Sunnydale. She is then joined by her father, Canadian actor-producer Dean Armstrong.
Lilla and Nora Zuckerman used some Buffy terminology to praise Armstrong.
“We are so overjoyed to have found this generation’s slayer in Ryan Kiera Armstrong, she absolutely blew us away — there is no question in our mind that she is the chosen one,” they said.
Nora and Lilla Zuckerman executive produce the pilot alongside Gellar, Zhao via her Book of Shadows banner as well as the original series’ executive producers Gail Berman of the Jackal Group and Fran Kuzui & Kaz Kuzui via Suite B. Also executive producing the pilot is Dolly Parton whose company Sandollar was producer on the original. Buffy the Vampire Slayer studio 20th Television produces with Disney sibling Searchlight TV, where Zhao is under a first-look deal.
Canadian-born Armstrong has been busy since her breakout role at age 8 in the feature The Art of Racing In the Rain opposite Amanda Seyfried. Following parts in IT: Part Two, The Tomorrow War, The Glorias and Black Widow, she played the lead in the 2022 Firestarter, the co-lead opposite Nicolas Cage in The Wold Way and a main role in WIldflower.
On TV, she started off with a major recurring role on Netflix’s Anne with an E. Armstrong first got on 20th TV radar when the studio cast her as part of the main ensemble of FX’s American Horror Story: Red Tide. She has worked for Disney ever since with a starring role opposite Jude Law on Disney+’s Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and recurring opposite Ethan Hawke on FX’s upcoming The Lowdown. Armstrong is repped by Linden Entertainment and Innovative Artist Group.
