This is an update I genuinely never expected to write. Especially after its huge success. But the Walt Disney Company has cancelled Slayers: A Buffyverse Story.
Co-writer and Co-director Christopher Golden announced the sad news via social media on Wednesday, the 21st of February. He also commented that as far as he was aware Disney has given no official reason behind the decision to cancel the series.
Both Christopher and Amber, who of course co-wrote co-directed, and starred in the series, have expressed their pride at what they've been able to accomplish. Along with their thanks to the cast and crew the team at Audible, and Buffy fans for their support, as well as the disappointment at not being able to continue.
Slayers: A Buffyverse Story was a hit with audiences when Audible released it on the 12th of October, in the USA, UK, and Australia – and at one point was the number-one listened-to product in all three countries simultaneously. It was later named the number one product on Audible.com for all of 2023.
A panel with the cast and crew at New York Comic-Con in October followed which received a great reception too. Given strong commercial sales and excitement around the project both Amber and Christopher were optimistic that season two would be given the go-ahead.
Fellow cast members had also indicated they were excited about the prospect of a second season. Fans of the audio drama, me included, were certain that season two was on the horizon. Creators, cast and crew, and fans have been left shocked and disappointed by this decision.
A petition has already been started to urge The Walt Disney Company (who own the rights to Buffy the Vampire Slayer) to reconsider their decision and give Slayers the second season it deserves, and the fans crave.
The petition was set up by Beth Ricketson. I don't know Beth personally but as a fan of both Amber and Buffy the Vampire Slayer I wanted to let fans know about the petition as I have already done on our social media channels. We wanted to show our support and help spread the word.
You can find out more about the petition and sign it at the link below:
https://www.change.org/p/urge-disney-to-approve-a-second-season-of-slayers-a-buffyverse-story
For those of you who may be hearing about Slayers: A Buffyverse Story for the first time here is what you need to know:
This immersive audio drama has been co-written by Amber Benson and Christopher Golden who have been friends and writing partners for many years. They also co-direct it along with Kc Wayland.
Amber also returns to play Tara Maclay for the first time in more than twenty years. A character that has meant so much to so many fans all over the world. Amber is joined by a host of friends and former co-stars along with Buffy newcomer Laya DeLeon Hays as Indira Nunnally.
Joining them in the cast are:
James Marsters as Spike
Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia
Anthony Head as Rupert Giles
Emma Caulfield Ford Anya Jenkins & Anyanka
James Charles Leary as Clement "Clem"
Juliet Landau as Drusilla
Danny Strong Jonathan Levinson
The series is set thirteen years after Chosen, the final episode of the ground-breaking TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Now some of our favourite characters have returned for a brand-new, all-original adventure.
For more on the series click on Slayers: A Buffyverse Story category in The Latest Amber News section.
As I understand it, Audible.co.uk holds the license to make Buffy The Vampire Slayer audiobooks and audio productions. However, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is owned by 20th Century Fox which was acquired by the Walt Disney Company in March of 2019. As the parent company, Disney has to give their permission and also can block any projects featuring intellectual property they own. At this early stage, it seems as though Disney has withdrawn its support for Slayers: A Buffyverse Story meaning this series cannot continue. As I understand it Audible has yet to make any comment themselves regarding the cancellation.
The thepopverse.com highlights the rumours of a relaunch of the Buffy TV series which started to circulate a couple of weeks ago. They speculate that Disney may be concerned that two unconnected Buffy projects could “hurt one another”
Personally, this argument makes no sense to me, even if reports of a reboot or a continuation of the series on television are correct. At a rough estimate by the time they appoint an executive producer, cast all the parts, film it then get it ready for release. I can’t see it being on screen for at least two years. This is my best guess/estimate if there's anyone out there who knows more about production timelines let me know.
My first point however is that even if plans for a new Buffy television show are being developed, how can audiences be confused by a TV show that doesn't exist yet?
My second point is that other big franchises including Star Wars, Star Trek, and Marvel in particular, have had multiple television streaming at or around the same time. All focusing on different parts or set in different eras and timelines. This is important as I would imagine a new TV series would be set very close to the time it is released whereas Slayers is set 12 to 13 years after the end of the original series which would mean Slayers is set around 2015. I think the earliest a TV show could be on screen is 2026 which is a 10+ year gap in the timeline with different characters. I can't see how they would interfere with one another.
The other franchises I mentioned also have several comic books, novels, and animated series. I've yet to hear one dedicated fan of a franchise complaining about “confusion” because there are too many ways to enjoy what they love. I think media companies really do need to give their audience some credit.
My third point is even if some consumers really enjoy Slayers: A Buffyverse Story and don't watch a new series then Disney isn’t losing out because they still will be making money from the Buffy brand. The idea that a new TV show might not succeed because of Slayers running parallel and splitting the audience doesn't hold water for me.
Making a possible new TV show the only way to consume Buffy doesn't guarantee its success. At the end of the day if the audience doesn't like it they won't watch it. Instead, they’ll just get their Buffy the Vampire Slayer DVD boxset out and watch the original. If it's good enough fans will watch like and listen to both. If the new TV show isn't a success and they've already cancelled Slayers, then Disney loses out twice.
My fourth and final point is this: cancelling Slayers: A Buffyverse Story, possibly in favour of a new series, will in my view only alienate loyal fans who could be less lately to watch a possible reboot.
Sorry if I have gone off on a tangent. I’m upset and dismayed as to why it has been that it has been cancelled. As far as I'm aware we still have not been offered any official reason as to why Slayers has been cancelled.
If and when there are any further updates, I will of course share them here.
Joe
Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with Slayers: A Buffyverse Story we own nothing. All rights belong to Amber Benson, Christopher Golden Audible, 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company and all other rights holders. We own nothing. We are not connected to the petition, thepopverse.com, or any of the other properties mentioned within these are the property of the individual copyright holder. We are simply trying to spread the word about the petition to save a brilliant audio co-written, co-directed, and starring Amber Benson.
Co-writer and Co-director Christopher Golden announced the sad news via social media on Wednesday, the 21st of February. He also commented that as far as he was aware Disney has given no official reason behind the decision to cancel the series.
Both Christopher and Amber, who of course co-wrote co-directed, and starred in the series, have expressed their pride at what they've been able to accomplish. Along with their thanks to the cast and crew the team at Audible, and Buffy fans for their support, as well as the disappointment at not being able to continue.
Slayers: A Buffyverse Story was a hit with audiences when Audible released it on the 12th of October, in the USA, UK, and Australia – and at one point was the number-one listened-to product in all three countries simultaneously. It was later named the number one product on Audible.com for all of 2023.
A panel with the cast and crew at New York Comic-Con in October followed which received a great reception too. Given strong commercial sales and excitement around the project both Amber and Christopher were optimistic that season two would be given the go-ahead.
Fellow cast members had also indicated they were excited about the prospect of a second season. Fans of the audio drama, me included, were certain that season two was on the horizon. Creators, cast and crew, and fans have been left shocked and disappointed by this decision.
A petition has already been started to urge The Walt Disney Company (who own the rights to Buffy the Vampire Slayer) to reconsider their decision and give Slayers the second season it deserves, and the fans crave.
The petition was set up by Beth Ricketson. I don't know Beth personally but as a fan of both Amber and Buffy the Vampire Slayer I wanted to let fans know about the petition as I have already done on our social media channels. We wanted to show our support and help spread the word.
You can find out more about the petition and sign it at the link below:
https://www.change.org/p/urge-disney-to-approve-a-second-season-of-slayers-a-buffyverse-story
For those of you who may be hearing about Slayers: A Buffyverse Story for the first time here is what you need to know:
This immersive audio drama has been co-written by Amber Benson and Christopher Golden who have been friends and writing partners for many years. They also co-direct it along with Kc Wayland.
Amber also returns to play Tara Maclay for the first time in more than twenty years. A character that has meant so much to so many fans all over the world. Amber is joined by a host of friends and former co-stars along with Buffy newcomer Laya DeLeon Hays as Indira Nunnally.
Joining them in the cast are:
James Marsters as Spike
Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia
Anthony Head as Rupert Giles
Emma Caulfield Ford Anya Jenkins & Anyanka
James Charles Leary as Clement "Clem"
Juliet Landau as Drusilla
Danny Strong Jonathan Levinson
The series is set thirteen years after Chosen, the final episode of the ground-breaking TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Now some of our favourite characters have returned for a brand-new, all-original adventure.
For more on the series click on Slayers: A Buffyverse Story category in The Latest Amber News section.
As I understand it, Audible.co.uk holds the license to make Buffy The Vampire Slayer audiobooks and audio productions. However, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is owned by 20th Century Fox which was acquired by the Walt Disney Company in March of 2019. As the parent company, Disney has to give their permission and also can block any projects featuring intellectual property they own. At this early stage, it seems as though Disney has withdrawn its support for Slayers: A Buffyverse Story meaning this series cannot continue. As I understand it Audible has yet to make any comment themselves regarding the cancellation.
The thepopverse.com highlights the rumours of a relaunch of the Buffy TV series which started to circulate a couple of weeks ago. They speculate that Disney may be concerned that two unconnected Buffy projects could “hurt one another”
Personally, this argument makes no sense to me, even if reports of a reboot or a continuation of the series on television are correct. At a rough estimate by the time they appoint an executive producer, cast all the parts, film it then get it ready for release. I can’t see it being on screen for at least two years. This is my best guess/estimate if there's anyone out there who knows more about production timelines let me know.
My first point however is that even if plans for a new Buffy television show are being developed, how can audiences be confused by a TV show that doesn't exist yet?
My second point is that other big franchises including Star Wars, Star Trek, and Marvel in particular, have had multiple television streaming at or around the same time. All focusing on different parts or set in different eras and timelines. This is important as I would imagine a new TV series would be set very close to the time it is released whereas Slayers is set 12 to 13 years after the end of the original series which would mean Slayers is set around 2015. I think the earliest a TV show could be on screen is 2026 which is a 10+ year gap in the timeline with different characters. I can't see how they would interfere with one another.
The other franchises I mentioned also have several comic books, novels, and animated series. I've yet to hear one dedicated fan of a franchise complaining about “confusion” because there are too many ways to enjoy what they love. I think media companies really do need to give their audience some credit.
My third point is even if some consumers really enjoy Slayers: A Buffyverse Story and don't watch a new series then Disney isn’t losing out because they still will be making money from the Buffy brand. The idea that a new TV show might not succeed because of Slayers running parallel and splitting the audience doesn't hold water for me.
Making a possible new TV show the only way to consume Buffy doesn't guarantee its success. At the end of the day if the audience doesn't like it they won't watch it. Instead, they’ll just get their Buffy the Vampire Slayer DVD boxset out and watch the original. If it's good enough fans will watch like and listen to both. If the new TV show isn't a success and they've already cancelled Slayers, then Disney loses out twice.
My fourth and final point is this: cancelling Slayers: A Buffyverse Story, possibly in favour of a new series, will in my view only alienate loyal fans who could be less lately to watch a possible reboot.
Sorry if I have gone off on a tangent. I’m upset and dismayed as to why it has been that it has been cancelled. As far as I'm aware we still have not been offered any official reason as to why Slayers has been cancelled.
If and when there are any further updates, I will of course share them here.
Joe
Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with Slayers: A Buffyverse Story we own nothing. All rights belong to Amber Benson, Christopher Golden Audible, 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company and all other rights holders. We own nothing. We are not connected to the petition, thepopverse.com, or any of the other properties mentioned within these are the property of the individual copyright holder. We are simply trying to spread the word about the petition to save a brilliant audio co-written, co-directed, and starring Amber Benson.
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