Emmys 2026: Sarah Michelle Gellar And David Boreanaz Hold Buffy The Vampire Slayer Reunion

Sunnydale was well-represented at the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, with Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz reuniting on stage to celebrate the 30th anniversary of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

"It's hard to believe it's been 30 years since 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' premiered," Boreanaz began, to which Gellar replied, "Yes. For those of you keeping track at home, I had just turned two."

The duo then poked fun at the ludicrous age gap between their characters, human Buffy and vampire Angel: "When you think about it, it's kind of crazy," Boreanaz said. "A teenage girl chosen by fate to fight vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness? And then she falls in love with a vampire with a soul, carrying around a couple hundred years of regret?" After establishing that Angel was 241 years old, Boreanaz suggested that he and Buffy had a "May-December romance," but Gellar corrected him and called it "more like a May-December 1787 romance."

Much to the delight of fans everywhere, Boreanaz added, "I always thought that Buffy and Angel were endgame," though Gellar was quick to squash those hopes. "Well, I guess we won't find out!" she said with a shrug, alluding to Hulu's recent cancellation of the "Buffy" reboot. She then gave a quick "thank you" to those in the audience who got the joke.

Sadly, several major "Buffy" cast members have died in recent years — Michelle Trachtenberg in February 2025, Nicholas Brendan in March 2026, and Anthony Stewart Head in June 2026 — and Gellar and Boreanaz did take a moment at the Emmys to acknowledge those who are no longer present to celebrate the franchise's milestone.

"It has been a tough two years for our beloved cast and crew, and we feel very lucky to have known and worked with such amazing people," Gellar said.

She and Boreanaz presented the award for Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, which ultimately went to Matthew Rhys (Netflix's "The Beast in Me"). His fellow nominees included Riz Ahmed ("Prime Video's "Bait"), Jason Bateman (Netflix's "Black Rabbit"), Charlie Hunnam ("Netflix's "Monster: The Ed Gein Story"), and Oscar Isaac (Netflix's "Beef"). For more of this year's results, check out TVLine's list of 2026 Emmy winners.

"Buffy" aired for seven seasons (1997–2003), beginning on The WB before making the leap to UPN for its final two years. It was a reimagining of the 1992 movie "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," which starred Kristy Swanson as the titular California cheerleader destined to battle the undead; series creator Joss Whedon also wrote the movie.

During its run, the main cast of "Buffy" included Gellar as teen slayer Buffy Summers, Boreanaz as brooding vampire Angel, Nicholas Brendon as lovable goofball Xander Harris, Alyson Hannigan as quirky witch Willow Rosenberg, Charisma Carpenter as mean girl Cordelia Chase, Seth Green as werewolf Daniel "Oz" Osbourne, James Marsters as punk-rock vampire Spike, Marc Blucas as Buffy's military man Riley Finn, Emma Caulfield as reformed demon Anya Jenkins, Michelle Trachtenberg as Buffy's sister Dawn Summers, Amber Benson as Willow's girlfriend Tara Maclay, and Anthony Stewart Head as Buffy's Watcher Rupert Giles.

"Buffy" also spawned the successful spin-off series "Angel," which relocated Boreanaz and Carpenter's characters to Los Angeles, where they were eventually joined by Marsters' Spike. "Angel" aired for five seasons (1999–2004) on The WB.

The pilot for a revival, titled "Buffy: New Sunnydale," was ordered by Hulu in 2025. Gellar was set to reprise her role, now training a new slayer named Nova (Ryan Kiera Armstrong). The pilot, directed by Chloe Zhao, was filmed in late 2025 and all seemed to be on track... until Gellar announced in March 2026 that Hulu had decided to pass on the project. "I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me," she told fans on Instagram.

What did you think of Gellar and Boreanaz's appearance at the Emmys? And are you still disappointed that we won't be getting that "Buffy" revival? Drop a comment with your thoughts below.