‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Director Says David Boreanaz Was ‘Terrified’ To Shoot First Episode Of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’

The first episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” aired on March 10, 1997. David Boreanaz, who portrayed vampire-turned-private-investigator Angel for five seasons, was “terrified” to shoot the first episode. Charles Martin Smith, who directed the pilot episode, appeared on “Buffy” alumna Juliet Landau’s “Re-Vamped” podcast to discuss the beloved series.

“I remember him coming to set, and I just thought, ‘This kid is terrified,'” Smith said, according to People. “I do remember David being — just not really knowing what to do.”

Smith and Boreanaz ran into each other years later at a Hollywood party, where Boreanaz expressed his gratitude.

“He thanked me for getting him through that first day,” Smith said. “He was really sweet about it. He said, ‘I really did not know what I was doing. But thanks, Charlie.’ And I said, ‘Well, you know, you wanna help a young actor.’ I was a young actor myself who didn’t know what I was doing. So, you know, you wanna help those people.”

David Boreanaz Teased A “Buffy” Reboot

In 2024, Boreanaz hinted at a “Buffy” reunion in an interview with People, saying: “It’s definitely something that would be interesting to tap back into, that world, that environment.”

A “Buffy” reboot via Hulu is underway with none other than Sarah Michelle Gellar reprising her titular role, according to Variety. The reboot is set to be directed by Chloé Zhao, who won the Academy Award for Best Director for 2010’s “Nomadland.” In the meantime, you can get your “Buffy” fix on Hulu and Tubi.

David Boreanaz Paid Tribute To “Buffy” Co-Star Michelle Trachtenberg After Her Death

On February 26, 2025, Michelle Trachtenberg died in her New York City apartment. It is believed that the 39-year-old actress may have been experiencing complications from a liver transplant she had undergone in 2024, according to ABC 7.

Trachtenberg appeared in over 60 episodes of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” as Buffy’s younger sister Dawn Summers On Feb. 26, Boreanaz celebrated Trachtenberg’s life with a Instagram story featuring both of them with the following statement: “So very sad… horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family.”

Trachtenberg was also known for her roles in “Harriet the Spy” and “Gossip Girl.” She was set to attend SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, for the screening of the documentary “Spyral,” which follows a woman struggling with an undiagnosed bipolar disorder while self-medicating, according to Us Weekly. Trachtenberg narrated “Spyral” and had been working on it since 2021.