James Marsters Offers Insight Into ‘Buffy' Revival Future - And His Role
James Marsters has seemingly confirmed the return of Spike in the Buffy reboot, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale - but admitted the status of the Hulu revival project is currently uncertain.
The actor played the British punk vampire on the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer from 1997 to 2003, first appearing as a recurring character from Season 2 before becoming a main cast member in Season 4. Marsters also appeared in the Buffy spin-off series Angel, becoming a main character on the show from Season 5.
Speaking at Melbourne Supanova Expo 2026, Marsters confirmed he was invited back for Buffy: New Sunnydale. However, last month, as confirmed by lead actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, Hulu had decided not to go ahead with the planned pilot, directed by Oscar winner Chloé Zhao.
james marsters talks about the ‘buffy the vampire slayer' reboot cancellation. he confirms he was asked to return as spike (and was training for it)! pic.twitter.com/1FsXXgAMaD
— cordelia (@cordeliaspuffy) April 19, 2026
The American actor admitted he had been in physical training for the role ahead of the pilot, before it was scrapped. "I had been doing sit-ups until my back bleeds," he joked to the audience at the con. Speaking on the revival, James said "They talked Sarah [Michelle] Gellar into coming back, that is a miracle!"
Marsters went on to praise his co-star, stating that if "anyone else" had played Buffy Summers, the show "never would have gone on for seven years," and adding "we shot 20 hours a day, she was in almost every scene. She was always on time, she always knew her lines, she had a good attitude. She was our rock." The actor said Gellar "burned out" over the course of the show, so he had high hopes for the revival upon her return to the character.
On the reboot's future, however, James expressed disappointment and shock at its current status. "So far, it looks like it's not gonna get picked up, which is insane to me!" Marsters said of Zhao's pilot, to the boos of the crowd.
However, there's still (some) hope for the revival - although it may look completely different to what was previously teased to fans of the cult series. Although not confirmed by Gellar or Zhao, Hulu has apparently temporarily benched the series, with plans to rework the material, possibly without Zhao at the helm. Shortly after the revival news dropped last month, Deadline stated Hulu "remains high on the Buffy IP and plans to regroup and mull a possible new incarnation of the beloved franchise."
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 7:03 PM.