A number of original cast members from cult 90s show Buffy The Vampire Slayer will be returning to the franchise this October, starring in an upcoming original fiction podcast from Audible.
The series, titled Slayers: A Buffyverse Story, is set 20 years after the show’s finale, and will centre on James Marsters’ character Spike. Other returning cast members reprising their roles include Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia, Anthony Head as Rupert Giles, and Juliet Landau as Drusilla, as well as new cast members including The Equalizer’s Laya Deleon Hayes.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played title character Buffy Summers in the original series, has not returned for this project, and has ruled out involvement in future spinoffs or reboots of the franchise. Original creator Joss Whedon, who has been out of the public eye for a number of years following allegations surrounding his behaviour, is also not attached to the new series.
“I'm ecstatic to be back with my dear friends for this next chapter in the Buffyverse, as we take listeners on a familiar but unexpected journey chock full of horror, passion and mischief," said Marsters. “I'm excited for old and new fans to experience this beloved world of vampire slaying like never before, brought to life through immersive audio storytelling.”
The podcast is launching its first episode on 12 October, exclusively on Audible, and will be available to listen to with immersive spatial audio through Dolby Atmos on the Audible app. Following the premiere, there will also be a panel with cast members from Slayers: A Buffyverse Story at the New York Comic Con on 13 October as well as a Slayers-themed activation that fans can visit throughout the entire weekend.
Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is written and directed by original cast member Amber Benson, who played Tara Maclay in the television series and will be reprising her character in the podcast, alongside horror author Christopher Golden. The podcast is also co-directed by Kc Wayland, who's behind the popular audio drama series We’re Alive.
Other TV companion podcasts that Audible has recently worked on include a podcast adaptation of 90s horror anthology series Are You Afraid of The Dark?, created in partnership with television channel Nickelodeon, which launches at the end of this month.
“Slayers: A Buffyverse Story offers a fresh, dynamic take on a cult-classic that takes listeners on a fun and nostalgic ride,” said Audible chief content officer Rachel Ghiazza. “The all-star cast reprising beloved roles, as well as newcomers, bring to life a storyline that will entertain fans of the original series and pull in first-time Sunnydale visitors.”
