New Buffy The Vampire Slayer series announced with original cast set to return

Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer rejoice, because a new season of the much-loved series has been announced on Audible!

The series will feature the original cast reprising their roles, though with one notable exception. It is set to focus on the Big Bad himself, Spike the Vampire.

Returning cast members for the new Audible series include James Marsters, Charisma Carpenter, Anthony Head, Juliet Landau, Emma Caulfield Ford, Amber Benson, James Charles Leary, and Danny Strong.

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It will be called Slayers: A Buffyverse Story, and is reportedly set some 20 years following the events of the TV series, which incidentally ended 20 years ago this year in 2003.

A preview of the plot has revealed that the show will follow Spike in his adventures around Los Angeles and how he will come face to face with a slayer that he has to protect.

The adventure will then bring him back into contact with an old character, Spike's old flame Drusilla.

James Marsters played Spike in the original series and luckily for fans, he is set to reprise the role in the Audible series.

He said: "I'm ecstatic to be back with my dear friends for this next chapter in the Buffyverse, as we take listeners on a familiar but unexpected journey chock full of horror, passion and mischief … I'm excited for old and new fans to experience this beloved world of vampire slaying like never before, brought to life through immersive audio storytelling."

The series description reads: “Slayers: A Buffyverse Story offers a fresh, dynamic take on a cult-classic that takes listeners on a fun and nostalgic ride … The all-star cast reprising beloved roles, as well as newcomers, bring to life a storyline that will entertain fans of the original series and pull in first-time Sunnydale visitors."

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Sadly, Buffy herself will not be appearing in this series - though this will take Spike's story in a new and interesting direction.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the titular role in the original series, has previously spoken about how she is not open to reprising the role.

She said: “I am very proud of the show that we created and it doesn’t need to be done. We wrapped that up.”

She continued: “I love the way the show was left: ‘Every girl who has the power can have the power.’

"It’s set up perfectly for someone else to have the power. But like I said, the metaphors of Buffy were the horrors of adolescence. I think I look young, but I am not an adolescent.”

But while Gellar herself will not be reprising her role, it seems that there is a new story exploring different characters in more depth.

Slayers: A Buffyverse Story will premiere on Audible on 12 October.