Mike White caught attention with his surprisingly ripped physique on “Survivor 50,” but whatever shape he arrived in didn’t last long.

“The White Lotus” creator revealed that he lost 15 pounds in just nine days on the show, as the harsh conditions in Fiji quickly took their toll.

White was preparing to start writing the fourth season of “The White Lotus” when he was invited to compete in the landmark season of the CBS reality show.

After being voted out, he had the option to recover at “Survivor’s” famed Ponderosa, where eliminated contestants typically recover, but chose to leave instead.

As a vegan, White says he struggled to eat the food being served at the hotel, especially after already losing significant weight during his time in the game.

Mike White Says He Was ‘Starving’ On ‘Survivor 50’

Following his exit from “Survivor,” White opened up about the physical toll that his time on the island took on his body.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the Emmy-winning creator explained: “I’m vegan. I lost 15 pounds in nine days.”

After being voted out, White opted not to stay at Ponderosa, explaining that he couldn’t find food that fit his vegan diet.

“We got to Ponderosa and there really… I mean, I sound bougie, but [I thought], ‘I can’t eat this. I need food that I can actually eat,’” White said. “So, I was like, ‘Can I just pay for myself to go somewhere where I can eat the food I can eat and, like, not starve?’”

The Filmmaker Paused ‘White Lotus’ Writing Plans To Compete On ‘Survivor 50’

The cast for “Survivor 50” was announced in May 2025, shortly after the third season of “The White Lotus” finished airing on HBO.

In an interview with Variety months later, “Survivor” host Jeff Probst revealed that White was willing to adjust his schedule to take part in the milestone season.

“I just want to be clear, we did not go ask Mike White, ‘Please change your ‘White Lotus’ schedule,’” Probst explained. “[Mike] said, ‘I will change my “White Lotus” schedule if you’ll have me.’”

Speaking to TVLine in Fiji ahead of filming, White suggested the timing really worked in his favor.

“If it had happened in any other time in the last five years, I just would not have been available,” he said.

Mike White Wrote ‘White Lotus’ Season 4 After ‘Survivor’ Exit

During his conversation with TVLine, White confirmed that he had not yet begun work on Season 4 of “The White Lotus,” but planned to dive in once his time on “Survivor 50” wrapped.

“After we play the game, I’m gonna start scouting for Season 4… I don’t even know where it’s shooting,” White explained.

His time in Fiji ultimately became more productive than expected.

In his interview with EW, the acclaimed showrunner revealed that the isolation following his exit gave him the space to map out the next chapter of the HBO hit.

“It was like a godsend, honestly,” White said. “Because I have all this time where people think I’m somewhere else, I’m unreachable, and I could just sit and contemplate and think about what’s next.”

White ‘Changed His Number’ To Dodge ‘Survivor’ Castmates Seeking ‘White Lotus’ Roles

White is known to occasionally feature members of his “Survivor” circle on “The White Lotus,” including his friends and fellow Season 50 contestants, Angelina Keeley and Christian Hubicki.

During a previous interview with EW, the director joked that he had even changed his number amid growing interest from fellow castaways about landing cameos on the hit HBO series.

“I mean, I really value the friendships that I made out of the show, but sometimes I do feel like there’s a lot of reality contestants in my life,” he said.

Mike White Builds Star-Studded Cast For ‘White Lotus’ Season 4

It remains to be seen whether any of the players on “Survivor 50” will join the cast of “The White Lotus,” but White has already added some notable names to the roster for Season 4.

Marvel star Kumail Nanjiani is among the recently announced additions, as are Max Greenfield and Chloe Bennett, among others.

Season 4 of “The White Lotus” is set in France, with reported locations including Paris and the French Riviera.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 30 seconds ago

As an aging Millennial, one of the things that continuously confuses me is the special phrasing that content creators have to use to avoid getting flagged on platforms like TikTok or YouTube. Ironically enough, part of me dies whenever I see someone use phrases like “sewer slide” or (even worse) “unalive” to refer to the act of suicide. In addition to sounding dumb and juvenile, it’s also completely pointless: after all, if everybody knows what the code means, then this weird self-censorship loses all meaning.

I used to think of this phenomenon as relatively recent, but it’s not. It turns out the streaming platforms of today are just echoing the restrictive practices of yesterday’s television networks. For example, the X-Files creator Chris Carter wanted to feature an episode (“Irresistible”) with a particularly creepy necrophiliac villain. But Fox told him that he couldn’t use that term, causing the showrunner to create a more acceptable nonsense term: “death fetishist.”

50 Shades Of Decay

First, some context: “Irresistible” was a Season 2 episode featuring Donnie Pfaster, an assistant funeral director who gives everyone the ick. He gets fired from his job for removing hair from a corpse, and he is eventually the focus of Mulder and Scully’s investigation into who has been disturbing local corpses. They believe that Pfaster is a “death fetishist” who is destined to escalate, eventually resorting to outright murder rather than desecrating local cemeteries. Those suspicions proved correct: Pfaster kills and mutilates a prostitute before kidnapping Scully; she is narrowly saved from becoming his latest victim, eventually breaking down in Mulder’s arms because of her recent trauma.

The original script for “Irresistible” straight-up called Donnie Pfaster a “necrophiliac.” Fox immediately rejected it on this basis, claiming that such a portrayal was unacceptable for broadcast standards. X-Files showrunner and episode writer Chris Carter later elaborated on this: according to The Complete X-Files, he said, “When I handed the script in, it was really for a necrophiliac episode, and that just didn’t fly. You cannot do the combination of sex and death on network television.”

Instead of throwing out the story altogether, though, Carter began to make tweaks to his script. The primary tweak is that the word “necrophiliac” is never used: both in the script and onscreen, Donnie Pfaster is referred to as a “death fetishist.” Accordingly, the showrunner trimmed down some of the character’s more obvious sexual obsession. Later, in a special feature in The X-Files: The Complete Second Season, Carter claimed that his viewers were smart enough to figure everything out and that the character’s clear necrophilia fetish is “implied and understood by audiences.”

The Threat You Never See Coming

Of course, he’s right: even as a very young man watching “Irresistible” when it first premiered, it’s abundantly clear what kind of sexual freak Donnie Pfaster is. However, that just goes to show how silly Fox’s concerns were. Why did they freak out over the use of the word “necrophiliac” when the rest of the episode clearly portrays him as one? Plus, Chris Carter’s term “death fetishist” is an absolutely hilarious substitute. Instead of calling the villain a word that means “he’s attracted to dead people,” the showrunner called him (checks notes) a word that means “he’s attracted to dead people.”

Some of the villains of The X-Files once warned Mulder that it was impossible to fight the future, and maybe they were right: the restrictions of ‘90s broadcast cable have become the restrictions of modern streaming platforms, forcing content creators to replace real words with nonsense. Honestly, it’s enough to make me “unalive” myself, but I won’t do that. After all, there’s no telling what you “death fetishists” in the comment section would do to my body afterward!

Latto’s pregnancy announcement has everybody talking, including some famous friends. Mariah The Scientist shared her reaction to the life update on social media, and now fans can’t stop dropping laughing emojis.

RELATED: Congrats! Latto Seemingly Confirms Pregnancy With Baby Bump Reveal In ‘Business & Personal’ Video (WATCH)

The Internet Is Eatin’ Up Mariah’s Response To Latto’s Pregnancy Reveal

Late on Friday, March 20, Latto came through with the answer everybody was waiting on — yes she’s expecting a baby! The internet speculated about her pregnancy ever since she started laying low on social media. She made announcement in the music video for her new single, ‘Business & Personal.’ As she shared clips of the visual on Instagram, her comments started going up. Fans peeped Mariah The Scientist reacting, and she hopped right in Latto’s comments seemingly acting surprised, writing, “U pregnant?????” She doubled back with another comment adding, “I’m going to be the best dad ever.” Her response gave fans a kiii, but they still she already knew the tea.

Mariah funny asl her ass been knew Latto pregnant 😭 pic.twitter.com/guU0R2b8qR

— BIG MAMA OUT MAY 29TH (@versacemeg) March 20, 2026

Mariah’s Reaction Has The Timeline In Shambles

After an account @versacemag, shared Mariah’s reaction on X, fans jumped in with their takes. Some said they think Mariah already knew about Latto’s pregnancy and was just trolling, while others said her response had them weak. Peep some of the reactions below.

X user @soodope wrote, “I can’t tell who knew about it I’m so happy I done cried for 2-3 hours.” 

X user @DearBriasia wrote, “Me when my best friend popped out pregnant “

Then X user @LerindoManei wrote, “Whole time she knew!! They so funny.” 

While X user @jaayybtw wrote, “Yeah u can tell she knew.”

Another X user @RoamingNumeral wrote,  “Mariah is probably next while she talking lol.” 

While another X user @IxmJayyy wrote, “I love her ” 

Finally, X user @lattopetite wrote, “Mariah is so funny omg ” 

Big Mama Takes Over Timelines With Her Baby Bump

Fans have been waiting on Latto to pop back out for a minute amid pregnancy speculation. After going MIA, the raptress returned to social media and dropped a teaser clip showing just her shoes and a shot of a baby cheetah. Then at midnight on Friday, March 20, she dropped a new music video and showed off her baby bump in her ‘Business & Personal’ music video. In the visual, Big Latto appears to prepare a nursery, but fans couldn’t take their eyes off the mystery man who holds her belly. Folks think its definitely 21 Savage because of the tatted arm and the baby photos that show up in the scrapbook. See the video below.

RELATED: Alleged Mom Of 21 Savage’s Two Oldest Children Seemingly Reacts To Latto’s Pregnancy Reveal (PHOTO)

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives fans have watched the cast change on and off screen before the series even debuted.

Season 1 of hit reality series, which follows a group of Mormon mom influencers, debuted on Hulu in September 2024 following star Taylor Frankie Paul‘s “soft swinging” sex scandal.

“We’re not all swingers,” Whitney Leavitt exclusively told Us Weekly at the time despite the scandal not affecting her “all all” in the months after the drama. “I think it’d be different if I was actually involved in it, but I wasn’t, so I just took the clout from it.”

Mayci Neely had the same takeaway, sharing with Us, “We’re not all swingers. You can be Mormon and wear a crop top and leggings as well. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to be the stereotypical Mormon that people think we’re all supposed to be.”

In June 2022, Taylor revealed via TikTok that her marriage to husband Tate Paul in the aftermath of the drama.

“I guess I’m pretty much known from my headlines of Swinger Mom,” Taylor exclusively told Us. “For the show, I really wanted them to see me and more of me and my personality and a deeper level. I feel like I come off so different online than I actually am in a conversation. So I felt like this was my chance to tell my story and get a deeper look into who I am.”

Layla Taylor, meanwhile, showed sympathy for Taylor’s situation.

“It was just having to remember that we’re all human and that we make mistakes,”she shared with Us. “It was a very difficult situation and it’s so public what she had to go through, and I think she handled it the best way that she could. I just forgive her because she handled it the way that she could at that moment.”

During an interview with Us, Mikayla Matthews slapped the “general” misunderstanding about MomTok.

“We’re not all just this perfect united front,” she told Us. “I feel like on social media, everyone’s like, ‘Oh, there’s these eight faces on the screen and they’re all dressed in the same outfit. They look unified, they look put together,’ and our show really kind of cuts back on all of that, all the perception. We’re normal, I guess.”

Keep scrolling to see the cast before the show came out — and what they look like now:

Nicole Kidman‘s ex-husband, Keith Urban, isn’t pleased with her close relationship with her “Scarpetta” co-star, Simon Baker.

The actress and Baker are longtime friends and have appeared to grow even closer since Kidman’s divorce, as seen in their chummy appearance at the premiere of their latest project.

Seeing their tighter bond has reportedly left Keith Urban feeling “betrayed,” and he is hoping there isn’t more to Nicole Kidman and Simon Baker’s relationship.

Nicole Kidman’s Ex-Husband Hopes There’s Nothing More Between The Actress and Her Co-Star, Sources Claim

Earlier in the month, Nicole Kidman debuted a new project, “Scarpetta,” in which she stars alongside her longtime Aussie friend, Simon Baker.

Arriving at the premiere at the time, the Aussie actors got tongues wagging with their very chummy interaction, which included holding hands and smiling at each other.

They also reportedly snuck off to an after-party together, an act that further raised eyebrows.

Subsequently, rumors began that there might be more to the duo’s friendship, which reports have now revealed left Kidman’s ex-husband feeling “betrayed.”

“Keith is hoping they’re just hamming it up for headlines,” a source told Woman’s Day of the singer whom Kidman was married to for nearly two decades.

They added, “But even then it feels to him like it’s a betrayal because both Nicole and Simon know how much even the hint of a romance between them will hurt him.”

Keith Urban Already Suspected His Ex-Wife And Her Co-Star Were Getting Close

In “Scarpetta,” Kidman plays a forensic pathologist named Kay Scarpetta, while Baker portrays FBI profiler, Benton Wesley.

Outside of their jobs, their characters share a romantic connection that often involves scenes of them kissing and other displays of affection.

Even after filming the project, the chemistry between Kidman and Baker remained evident, as seen in interviews promoting the series, including a question-and-answer session with Vogue Australia.

All of these have reportedly not gone unnoticed by Urban, and according to a source, it was something he had expected and was quite unhappy about.

“He already suspected they were getting close while filming. This is his worst nightmare come true,” the insider further revealed.

“He hates that they’re giving interviews about how close they are,” the source added.

The Singer Doesn’t Really Communicate With Nicole Kidman Since Their Divorce

In the past, Urban had often attended such Hollywood events with Kidman, and this may have been the case if the duo hadn’t ended their marriage.

Now, as a single man, the singer may not make an appearance at such events anytime soon, as sources have recently revealed that he has been frozen out of Hollywood.

“Keith used to be everywhere with Nicole,” a source told Rob Shuter’s #ShutterScoop. “Now he’s nowhere.”

“He was always her plus-one,” the source added. “He wasn’t getting those invites on his own.”

The source also claimed that Urban’s access to Hollywood events came through his relationship with Kidman, and now that they have split, it has been revoked.

Keith Urban And Nicole Kidman’s Communication Has Detoriated Since Their Split

As part of Urban and Kidman’s divorce agreement, the duo agreed to co-parent their children, Sunday Rose and Faith.

However, according to reports, their communication has deteriorated in the wake of the divorce, raising questions about how well the co-parenting plan is working.

“Nicole and Keith don’t really communicate,” a source told the Daily Mail. “Things got really bad at the end of their relationship and haven’t rebounded.”

They added, “Keith seems to really want to live the single life, almost like a midlife crisis since the split. He’s turned into a totally different person. It’s like she doesn’t know him at all anymore.”

Keith Urban Is Trying To ‘Patch Things Up’ With His Daughters

Beyond the dynamics between Urban and Kidman, it also appears that the singer’s relationship with his children with the actress is on shaky ground, as their daughter, Sunday Rose, acknowledged her mother in an Elle Australia feature.

The situation with his children has reportedly left the singer worried and hurt, but he remains determined to do his best to stay present in their lives.

“He’s hurt, but he feels like he can patch things up,” the source continued about the “Somebody Like You” crooner. “He knows he has a lot of work to do to repair things with them. But he’s determined to do it.”

Netflix doesn’t get a global #1 by accident. And this pirate epic is clarifying exactly why that is true. This Pirates of the Caribbean better alternative is a ship-crew fantasy with constant momentum, bright humor, and fights that feel like immersive set-piece cinema. Add in the fact that Netflix’s own weekly data has credited it with 136.2 million hours viewed in a recent reporting window, and you’re looking at a franchise-scale performer.

As per FlixPatrol, the show is sitting at #1 in an overwhelming spread of countries including major markets like India, Pakistan, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and Portugal, plus dozens more. In several other territories, it’s not even competing; it’s camped at the top: Austria is #1 every day from March 14 through today, the UK holds #2 today, and the U.S. remains #3 today while still outranking most of the platform’s newer churn. Even where it isn’t #1, it’s largely living in the top band (#2–#4), which is the signature of a show being watched globally, not merely sampled. One Piece‘s biggest competitor right now is, fitting enough, another anime, with JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure coming out of nowhere to steal the #1 global spot on Netflix.

The title behind the takeover is One Piece (Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s manga series). It has been 10 days since the show’s Season 2 was released on March 10, 2026, and it came after a wait of almost three years (One Piece Season 1 was released in August 2023). According to the viewing stats, the show’s ranking surge isn’t expected to slow anytime soon.

Related

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When a new actor takes over an existing role, audiences can be wary. On this first day of spring, let’s look at some characters who got fresh starts.

‘One Piece’ Season 2 Starts Off With a Bang and Ends on a Calmer Note

One Piece Season 2 hits the gas the moment the crew punches into the Grand Line. The sea stops feeling like a route and becomes a living trap with its own rules, storms, and threats. Then Little Garden blows the world open: Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) and the gang stumble into a prehistoric island where giants and dinosaurs rule.

That, paired up with Roronoa Zoro’s (Mackenyu) 100-kill fight, is the hook. But after that adrenaline, the story intentionally softens when they meet Tony Tony Chopper (Mikaela Hoover). Compared to Season 1’s nonstop recruitment sprint, Season 2 feels more mature, and after the long wait, it earns that evolution, setting up an even stronger Season 3.

One Piece is currently trending globally on Netflix and for the right reasons. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

August 31, 2023

Network

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Netflix

Showrunner

Matt Owens, Steven Maeda, Joe Tracz

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Directors

Tim Southam, Marc Jobst, Josef Kubota Wladyka

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Writers

Tiffany Greshler, Diego Gutierrez, Allison Weintraub, Lindsay Gelfand

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Former “Bachelor” and “Bachelorette” star Rachel Lindsay has broken her silence on the drama surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul. The latter was set to lead the next season of the ABC reality series; however, the network shut things down after a video of her assaulting her ex, Dakota Mortensen, was shared online. During an episode of the “Bachelor Party” podcast, Lindsay shared her thoughts on the matter and even predicted what she believes might happen to the franchise.

Former ‘Bachelor’ Star Rachel Lindsay Breaks Silence On Taylor Frankie Paul, Says Her Scandal ‘Completely Destroyed’ The Series

“I think it’s over,” Lindsay said on an episode released on March 20. “I was trying to think of a scenario where it could be different, because this isn’t just, ‘Oh, we put it all on a person. This person did this.’ This is the system that allowed this to happen.”

Lindsay went on to say that the ABC series is “tainted” by the ongoing drama surrounding Paul and her ex. “How do you move forward past that? You can’t.”

Video Of Taylor Frankie Paul Striking And Throwing Chairs At Her Ex-Boyfriend, Mortensen, Has Been Shared Online

Lindsay’s comments come a day after a shocking video of Paul assaulting Mortensen had been shared online. According to The Blast, the video was from an incident that occurred in 2023 and was consistent with what was shared during the first episode of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” in September 2024.

In the video, Paul is seen hitting Mortensen, pulling his hair, and even appears to wrap her arms around his neck. Elsewhere in the video, Paul can be seen throwing heavy, metal chairs at Mortensen, one of which later hit her five-year-old daughter.

“This is called physical abuse. This is all you do,” Mortesen said in the clip. “It’s the only thing you know how to do is hurt me. You think this is OK? It’s not OK. Holy sh-t.”

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The video also showed Mortensen attempting to distance himself from Paul; however, the Hulu reality star continued to engage with him. “Leave me alone,” Mortensen said repeatedly.

ABC/Disney Pulls The Next Season Of ‘The Bachelorette’ Following Taylor Frankie Paul’s Video

The horrifying video sparked much backlash, with many calling for ABC to cancel the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette.” According to The Blast, the network did just that.

“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement.

“Glad they canceled her,” someone wrote. “Abuse goes both ways. Putting your child in danger.”

“Absolutely horrendous behavior,” another shared. “That poor child.”

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Paul Breaks Silence After Deciding To Scrap Latest Season Of ‘The Bachelorette’

Paul broke her silence after the news that ABC pulled her season of “Bachelorette” became public.

“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” a representative for the TikTok sensation said.

“There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”

Production Of ‘Secret Lives’ Halted After Second Alleged Dispute

Another report from PEOPLE said that production on season 5 of Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has been paused following reports that Paul was involved in another alleged dispute with Mortensen in February 2026.

“They are not filming,” a source shared. “Taylor Frankie Paul has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off.”

Another insider told the outlet that the women have been distancing themselves from Paul following the reports. “None of the women want to be associated with her,” they said.

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Authorities from the Draper City Police Department confirmed an active investigation involving Paul and Mortensen.

Agatha Christie is among the best detective writers to ever live, whose works still amuse fans worldwide. Dubbed ‘The Queen of Crime,’ her stories are known for their surprising twists and beloved sleuths. Every generation of filmmakers has tried to interpret her works on the big screen, which makes for a very interesting watch. A Murder on Orient Express, The Mirror Crack’d, Appointment with Death, and more are beloved classics enjoyed by fans worldwide.

In recent memory, Kenneth Branagh’s adaptations are widely known among fans. The actor-director’s portrayal of Hercule Poirot is beloved and introduces a new generation to Christie’s timeless work. His three-part franchise includes Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, and A Haunting in Venice. With different ensembles in each feature, his versions of the classic stories are visually rich, thrilling, and keep the audience glued to their seats. And now one of the movies in the franchise just got more accessible.

The latest feature in the trilogy, A Haunting in Venice, has found a new home on Hulu. The feature is widely considered the best in the trilogy for its atmosphere, supernatural elements, and Gothic Horror aesthetic. It’s the perfect opportunity for fans who’d love to rewatch the feature or catch up to it.

Related

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Sometimes actors quit; other times they’re fired. On this first day of spring, we’re recalling some famous roles that got a fresh start with a recast.

What’s ‘A Haunting in Venice’ About?

A Haunting in Venice finds self-exiled, retired Poirot living in Venice. Things take a turn when he’s persuaded by a friend to attend a séance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. He gets thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets when one of the guests is murdered. The film is unarguably the best in the trilogy, thanks to its impressive visuals, stylish direction, and strong ensemble performances. It has a 76 percent Rotten Tomatoes score from both fans and critics, but is the lowest earning in the trilogy at $122.3 million.

The movie also has a brilliant cast, including Tina Fey as Poirot’s friend Ariadne Oliver, Michelle Yeoh as world-famous medium Joyce Reynolds, Jamie Dornan as war doctor Leslie Ferrier, Kelly Reilly as palazzo owner Rowena Drake, and Jude Hill as Leopold Ferrier, the doctor’s precocious young son. What makes the movie stand apart in the trilogy is the seamless blending of supernatural with the whodunit format. Furthermore, it strays from its predecessors in tone and style, which viewers appreciated.

A Haunting in Venice drops on Hulu on April 30. Stay tuned to Collider for more such updates.

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Release Date

September 13, 2023

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104 minutes

Writers

Michael Green

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After weeks of speculation around when Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chloé Zhao’s reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, would finally premiere, the Slayer herself was forced to post an Instagram reel to tell Scoobies all over the world that the project would no longer be moving forward with Hulu.

With new and original Buffy fans alike, eager to revisit the Hellmouth with a Gen Z Slayer, this announcement really felt like a stake through the heart at a time when seeing someone fight the good fight is so desperately needed. Hulu’s decision to cancel the new Buffy project is particularly puzzling. The fans were vocal and dedicated, it was being made by an Oscar-winning director and the original star, and it’s golden IP for the company. So what went wrong?

Hulu’s ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Reboot Plans Started Off Strong

New Sunnydale was the first Buffy project since the original series premiered in 1997 to involve Sarah Michelle Gellar, giving it a sense of legitimacy and success even with just a pilot order. In interviews, Gellar made clear that her decision to return to the role was closely tied to the creative leadership of Chloé Zhao, whose latest film Hamnet was nominated for 8 Academy Awards. Zhao calls herself a fierce, long-term fan of Buffy, and her stewardship of the series away from creator Joss Whedon had Gellar surprisingly saying yes. With two huge names at the center, the Buffy revival quickly snowballed, gathering a wealth of fan support. At a time when Hulu executives were commissioning a wave of successful revivals from the same era, including Scrubs and Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Just Unfair, Buffy seemed like a guaranteed win.

Related

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Reboot’s Star Breaks Her Silence on the Show’s Cancellation

The reboot was first reported in early 2025.

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There has been a continuous appetite for Sunnydale since Season 7 ended in May 2003 and audience engagement was matched by a visible push from Gellar herself. She used social media to build excitement, sharing updates from development and even posting the Zoom call where she introduced the new Slayer, Ryan Kiera Armstrong. Known for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Armstrong, aged 16, represented a clear generational handover, while Gellar’s return as Buffy provided a strong hook. Additional casting, including The Studio’s Chase Sui Wonders in a guest role and Sarah Bock from Severance, made the project all the more enticing. By the time the pilot finished filming in Los Angeles in August 2025, the revival had already generated significant buzz. A release window in late 2026 or early 2027 was expected, and it seemed to be moving forward with confidence. That is what made the announcement on March 14 feel so unexpected.

Hulu Shouldn’t Have Cancelled ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale’

The cancellation of New Sunnydale unfolded in a way that only deepens this sense of confusion. According to Gellar in an interview with People, Craig Erwich, President of the Disney Television Group and head of Hulu Originals, called to say the project would not be moving forward. Gellar was attending her first SXSW and was about to head on stage to promote Ready or Not 2 and had been answering questions about the revival in press interviews at the festival. Director Chloé Zhao was ready to attend the Oscars that same weekend. Gellar pointed to the timing, noting that the news arrived on “what should have been Chloe’s victory lap for an incredible film and my world premiere of something that I worked very hard on,” adding, “that says something.” The sense that the announcement overshadowed what should have been a major professional weekend for both women has now become a big part of how the project will be remembered.

Gellar stated that one executive had been a consistent obstacle, describing them as someone who “was not only not a fan of the original, but was proud to constantly remind us that [they] had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn’t for [them].” That dynamic, she suggested, shaped the development process from the beginning, creating an “uphill battle.” This executive has since been identified in reports from Variety as newly-promoted Craig Erwich, raising further questions about how a project built on such a well-known and widely loved property could be overseen by someone openly dismissive of it. The reaction from fans was immediate and intense. Petitions began circulating, videos appeared across social platforms, and there were visible efforts to push for the show’s return. Gellar said she had been reading all the responses, including messages from David Boreanaz, who played her love interest Angel on the original show.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale seemed to have it all: meaningful creative buy-in and sustained audience demand. Gellar’s return alone marked a major shift for the franchise, and Zhao’s involvement brought a level of attention and care. For now, the future of Buffy remains uncertain. The intellectual property is still held by Disney, and there have been suggestions that another version could emerge, but New Sunnydale has been slain. However, as Gellar put it to People, Buffy’s “legacy is still there” and the cancelation does not take that way.