‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’: 5 Behind-the-Scenes Photos
Buffy Summers is the Chosen One on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. At first glance, she’s an average teen but in reality, she’s far from it.
Destined to fight evil, Buffy slays vampires and all sorts of other evil creatures in the fictional town of Sunnydale, California. Go inside one of the most popular TV shows of the ‘90s and early 2000s with behind-the-scenes photos.
Sarah Michelle Gellar rose to fame as Buffy Summers on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’
Gellar got her start in the entertainment industry at a young age. By the time she got cast as Buffy in 1996, the New York-born actor had a steady role on a popular soap opera.
As previously mentioned, Gellar left the daytime show to play the lead on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The risk paid off because Buffy is still one of Gellar’s most recognizable roles besides Cruel Intentions and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Initially, Gellar auditioned to play Cordelia Chase, as previously mentioned. And Charisma Carpenter, the actor who went on to play Cordelia, auditioned to play Buffy.
Created by Joss Whedon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer showed Buffy as an empowered girl who didn’t need saving when she walked down a dark alley at night. Instead, Buffy did the saving.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer premiered on March 10, 1997. Over time it became a major hit with viewers. When the program ended in 2003 after seven seasons Gellar had become synonymous with her role as Buffy.
Not only that but Buffy the Vampire Slayer became such a hit it spawned a spin-off series. Angel debuted in 1999 following the title character, Angel (David Boreanaz), as he started over in Los Angeles after leaving Sunnydale.
Budget restrictions forced ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ to get creative with sets
Buffy the Vampire Slayer had a tight budget before it became a pop culture phenomenon. As previously mentioned, the show’s budget was so limited it was filmed at a warehouse.
The outside of the warehouse served as the entrance to the Bronze, Sunnydale’s nightclub. In Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 1, the same hallway was used for every scene in the high school.
Other times when shooting on location at a real cemetery wasn’t possible, the show built a makeshift cemetery in a parking lot. Of course, as the show became more popular the budget grew, allowing for elaborate sets and more sophisticated special effects.
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ had behind the scenes drama
Just like other TV shows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer had drama going on when cameras weren’t rolling. Reportedly, Gellar announced the end of the show before the rest of the cast knew.
Alyson Hannigan, the actor who played Willow Rosenberg, was upset with Gellar about the news, according to The Things, and only reconciled with her years later.
Carpenter, aka Cordy to Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans, left the Buffyverse amidst some supposed drama. Whedon allegedly fired Carpenter for being pregnant and ruining the storyline he’d set out for her character.
Watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Hulu.
