Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot gets huge pilot update leaving fans in tears

Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans have been left emotional following Sarah Michelle Gellar's latest revelation, in which she posted several behind-the-scenes snapshots. Gellar, who portrayed the iconic character throughout the beloved series' seven-season run from 1997 to 2003, had previously confirmed the programme would receive a reboot.

The actress, who is set to serve as Executive Producer for the supernatural drama, will return to her legendary role as Buffy in the follow-up series alongside Ryan Kiera Armstrong, who will portray a younger vampire slayer for the modern audience. Posting on Instagram yesterday evening, Gellar sent her 4.8 million followers into overdrive as she hinted at a script table-read.

"Baby steps," she captioned alongside an image of the pilot episode screenplay positioned on her desk, complete with a miniature Buffy figurine, reports the Mirror US.

Whilst the photograph revealed little detail, it did verify the table read was planned for July 21 for the opening instalment simply entitled 'Pilot'.

Another title may have existed for the episode, though Gellar had deliberately obscured the text above.

The image also revealed that the debut episode will be helmed by Academy Award winner Chloe Zhao and penned by screenwriting duo Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman.

The additional photograph merely displayed Gellar's name placard, which evoked considerable nostalgia amongst supporters, as it plainly stated: "Sarah Michelle Gellar Prinze: 'Buffy Summers'."

Supporters rapidly flocked to the comment section to express their excitement, with one declaring: "This is literally the best way I could have started my vacation today. Slaaaaaaaay!!!"

Another responded: "Crying, screaming, laughing, throwing up - Buffy returns... again."

"ITS HAPPENINGGGGGG," a third wrote alongside a crying emoji, whilst one more confessed: "I just cried."

"I just fell out of my seat (and I'm not even sitting)!" another joked, as a supporter simply declared: "SCREAMING!!! AHHHHHHH."

"Most exciting thing I've seen on the internet in the past 20 years," one more proclaimed, as yet another penned: "I SWEAR TO GOD I AM GONNA CRY!!! dont joke on me, Gellar!!!"

This follows Gellar presenting Buffy enthusiasts to "this generation's slayer", Ryan Kiera Armstrong, revealing the moment she delivered the joyous news to the 15-year-old actress.

"I want to introduce you to @ryankarmstrong From the moment I saw Ryan's audition, I knew there was only one girl that I wanted by my side," she wrote.

"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. Welcome to #NewSunnydale #btvs."

During the call, Gellar informed the clearly moved Armstrong: "I know this process has been hard, and there's been so many parts. There was just sort of one part of it that I just wanted to ask you, and I wanted to make sure that you were okay with: How do you feel about helping me save the world?"

"Good," Armstrong responded hesitantly, as Gellar pressed on: "You want to be my chosen one? Will you stand by my side and save the world?"

Armstrong began to well up as Gellar gushed: "Ryan, we all love you, and from the second we all saw your tape, there was nobody else in our eyes that could do it, that we wanted to do it with. And I am so excited to stand by your side and have you be my partner on this journey."

Clearly overwhelmed, Armstrong murmured quietly: "This is so exciting."

Gellar then revealed a clue about the new series' location, declaring: "Welcome to new Sunnydale. Ryan, you earned it. There's nobody else in any of our eyes. You are our chosen one."

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is available to stream on Hulu in the US and ITVX in the UK.