Who Is Ryan Kiera Armstrong? Everything You Need to Know About the Star of the ‘Buffy’ Reboot
Ryan Kiera Armstrong has taken on the role of the new slayer in the upcoming revival of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
The 15-year-old will star alongside the original series lead, Sarah Michelle Gellar.
On May 15, the two actors announced the news in a joint Instagram post, featuring a video where Gellar shared the casting news with Armstrong.
“How do you feel about helping me save the world?” Gellar, 48, asked Armstrong in the clip.
“Good,” Armstrong replied, appearing uncertain about Gellar’s intent.
“Do you want to be my Chosen One?” Gellar inquired, prompting Armstrong to cover her mouth and burst into tears.
“Will you stand by my side and save the world with me?” Gellar continued, as Armstrong, still sobbing, nodded in agreement.
“Ryan, we all love you,” Gellar expressed. “From the moment we saw your audition tape, you stood out as the one we wanted to take this journey with. I am so excited to be by your side.”
“This is so exciting. Oh my gosh,” Armstrong exclaimed, looking around in disbelief. “Yes, yes. Absolutely, yes. Um, thank you. I’m so excited.”
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“Welcome to the new Sunnydale,” Gellar told Armstrong, who then called her father into the room.
“What do you think? Are you ready for this journey?” Gellar asked Armstrong’s dad.
“I know this is where she’s meant to be right now,” he replied proudly.
In her post’s caption, Gellar wrote, “I want to introduce you to @ryankarmstrong. From the moment I saw Ryan’s audition, I knew there was only one girl I wanted by my side.”
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“To have such emotional intelligence and talent at a young age is a true gift. Plus, her smile can brighten any room. Welcome to #NewSunnydale #btvs,” she added.
Armstrong’s Instagram bio now reads, “slayer.”
“I’m incredibly grateful and thrilled to announce that I am joining the BTVS universe!!! I am so excited for this journey with you @sarahmgellar; I am in awe of you,” Armstrong wrote in a separate Instagram post.
The young star also expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the new series and her “amazing parents,” who have supported her dreams.
“I WILL NOT DISAPPOINT YOU GUYS!!” she affirmed.
What has Ryan Kiera Armstrong acted in?
At just 15, Armstrong has an impressive acting background. She starred in the 2022 horror film “Firestarter” (a remake of the 1984 original featuring Drew Barrymore) and played the daughter of Nicolas Cage’s character in the 2023 Western “The Old Way.”
Additionally, Armstrong appeared in films such as “Wildflower,” “The Art of Racing In the Rain,” and “Black Widow,” and she had regular roles in the television series “Anne with an E” and in Season 10 of “American Horror Story.”
What to know about the ‘Buffy’ reboot
Gellar, who has previously rejected the idea of a “Buffy” spinoff, confirmed in February her involvement in a reboot, which will be directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao.
The original series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” which also starred Alyson Hannigan, Michelle Trachtenberg, David Boreanaz, Emma Caulfield, and Anthony Head, aired from 1997 to 2003 and followed a teenage girl in fictional Sunnydale, California, destined to battle vampires and other demons to save the world.
The “Buffy” series, developed by Joss Whedon, is based on the 1992 film of the same name, which starred Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Paul Reubens, and Luke Perry.
