Buffy star thanks fans who helped vampire show succeed against the odds
SARAH Michelle Gellar has marked 25 years since the first episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer aired by celebrating the fans who “believed” in the show and helped make it a success.
The actress played the vampirebattling high school student from 1997 to 2003.
Gellar and her fellow cast members, including David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter and Nicholas Brendon, shared photos from their time on the supernatural drama series on social media to mark the occasion.
She captioned her post on Instagram: “25 years ago today I had the honor to introduce the world to my version of Buffy Anne Summers.
“It was an uphill battle. A mid-season replacement, on a new network based on a movie that was by no means a giant success.
“But then there was you. The fans. You believed in us. You made this happen. You are the reason 25 years later we are still celebrating. So today we celebrate you as well.”
Carpenter celebrated the anniversary by sharing throwback photos of herself and the cast and thanked the crew who made the show possible.
She wrote: “25 years ago hardly seems possible! A huge thanks to fans the world over who have kept the show alive onscreen, in chat rooms, across social media platforms, through podcasts and school curriculums... it’s truly remarkable.
“Buffy was a huge part of my life, as it was to all the cast and crew. Crew who worked tirelessly and gave so much of themselves creatively as well as sacrificing family time, birthdays, graduations, and funerals to be there.
“So to see the love of the show endure and get passed down through generations is truly meaningful. It is humbling to know that I was a part of something special that appears to live on in others today. Hopefully forever! Thank you!
“Happy Buffy Anniversary to all those that celebrate. I’m grateful.”
Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Buffy’s younger sister Dawn Summers, paid tribute to her on-screen elder sibling, Gellar.
She wrote: “Happy 25th anniversary, big sister, of the premiere of your show #buffythevampireslayer. We have known each other for almost 30 years.”
Gellar replied to her simply saying: “I love you sis”.