The cast of Buffy The Vampire Slayer has marked the 20 year anniversary of the cult show.
Buffy, which ran for seven seasons from 1997 to 2003, turns 20 today and reflecting upon its legacy, lead star Sarah Michelle Gellar took to Instagram to write that appearing in the show had been “The greatest privilege”.
Gellar continued: “While we knew the potential, I don’t think any of us saw the lasting impact our show would have. As an actor, you wish for that one role where you can leave your mark and forever be remembered, with Buffy I got so much more. She’s a feminist challenge to gender hierarchy. Buffy may have been the Chosen One, but I was the lucky one.”
The actress went on to thank the creators, crew and her co-stars, adding: “And lastly, but most importantly thank you to all of you, the fans. We made this show for you, and your unwavering support has kept this show going long past our seven years. You are everything.”
See Gellar’s tribute below:
Other cast members have taken to social media to mark the anniversary too:
#BuffySlays20 Here's to all who watched, and all who were part of its creation, but most of all, here's to you @joss – grrrr,aargh x
— Anthony Stewart Head (@AnthonySHead) March 10, 2017
Thank you for all the International #20YearsOfBuffy love!!! Does this means I can start eating cake now as long as it's Australian cake?
— alyson hannigan (@alydenisof) March 10, 2017
Wow. #20YearsOfBuffy @joss What can I possibly say to thank you? No really, what can I say?!? I need YOU to write it!!!
— alyson hannigan (@alydenisof) March 10, 2017
And I need you to say it ? https://t.co/V2olprw6Kq
— Joss Whedon (@joss) March 10, 2017
So many great articles to share.
Happy 20th Anniversary Buffy!@joss @SarahMGellar @alydenisof @AnthonySHead#PartyInMyEyeSocket #HugFriends https://t.co/wt8h5Ooxe6— Nicholas Brendon (@NicholasBrendon) March 10, 2017
This show.It's Creator.Our writers.This cast.Our crew. That network.
OUR FANS-Who knew?Certainly not I.Tremendous gratitude. #buffyslays20 pic.twitter.com/bmZaf7vXQW— charisma carpenter (@AllCharisma) March 10, 2017
Meanwhile, Anthony Stewart Head – who portrayed Giles – has penned an article for The Guardian in which he calls the show “a feminist parable for everyone – including me,” writing: “Twenty years after we started, I see that our series gave flesh (and horns) to the demons we all face in life: teenage Buffy’s storylines transcended age or gender.”
David Boreanaz, who played Angel, also told EW: I was in the right spot at the right time, but I had been struggling for years just to get in the door. I couldn’t even do a commercial, like a gum commercial without freaking out. You have to go through the pain to get to the other end, and then once you get to the top, you’re not down — you gotta climb other mountains.