Sarah Michelle Gellarthe star of the classic supernatural series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has graced television screens with some incredible and unforgettable moments, but behind the scenes, making the show has been a challenging journey that has taken its toll on Gellar. The actress’s commitment to playing Buffy, the vampire-slaying heroine, meant facing challenges that went beyond the supernatural world.
Filming over 140 episodes over seven seasons was a daunting task, especially considering Gellar’s age during the series’ production. As you can imagine, the intensity of the workload created a challenging environment on set.
Gellar’s dedication to her role did not go unnoticed by her co-stars. Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow, Buffy’s best friend, acknowledged the pressure Gellar faced, revealing that in season three the star began to feel the strain. Gellar’s commitment resulted in grueling 18-hour workdays, earning her respect but also driving her to exhaustion.
Hannigan said in an interview with HuffPost: “She worked hard. I mean, obviously, it was Buffy. She worked 18 hours a day for years […] she was the most tired because she worked the hardest.”
In an industry where standing up for oneself was rare, Gellar used her position to set boundaries, standing up for both herself and the cast. Seth Greenwho played Oz, praised her for ensuring the well-being of the team, even if it meant being labeled a diva or difficult to work with.
Gellar also spoke out against unsafe conditions and excessive working hours. In a job where a 13-hour day often stretched beyond that, he took a stand for the cast and crew. Despite the criticism, Gellar remained unfazed, acknowledging that her commitment to her work sometimes came with a reputation.
Green explained to THR: “That show was just difficult. We were working crazy hours, and a lot of things that were pushed weren’t necessarily safe or in the best condition. Sarah was always the first to say, ‘We agreed on this.’ a 13 hour day and it’s hour 15 – we need to wrap up,” or “Hey, this shot doesn’t look safe,” when no one else would defend the cast and crew. I saw her being called ab –ch, a diva, all these things that she’s not – just because she was taking on the role of saying and doing the right thing.
As Gellar reflected on his time spent Buffy, she recognized the price it cost her, leading her to soften her expectations of others. The actress acknowledged the changing landscape of television, where shorter seasons are now the norm, easing the intense demands she faced on the original series.
Gallar said: “There was a time when I had a reputation for being…difficult. Anyone who knows me knows it came from the fact that I always put in 100%. I never understood people who didn’t. Sweetened a bit [my expectations of others] — I think because I’m exhausted.”
In a pre-#MeToo era, Gellar’s experiences on set were emblematic of a normalized industrial culture, and actors didn’t stand up for themselves the way they do now when they’re mistreated. She highlighted the change in attitude, stressing that mistreatment is no longer tolerated and actors can stand up for themselves without fear.
The actress said: “When I grew up, people would scream on sets: actors, directors, everyone. It doesn’t happen anymore. If someone comes out on set screaming, it’s like, ‘Peace out!’ Nobody needs to be treated like that, we’ve established that.'”
Gellar’s perceived reputation as difficult or assertive did not dissuade her. In fact, she saw it as an opportunity to navigate with fewer expectations. The actress, despite her success, admitted that she was a bit excessive during the show’s production, recognizing that experience does not necessarily equate to wisdom.
He explained: “If people think you’re ab-ch, it’s almost better. That way there are fewer expectations.” She added: “I was a little arrogant. By 20 I had had, like, 15 years of experience. But you don’t even know shit when you’re that age […] People like to think I was a lot tougher or more confident than I actually was.”
As Gellar reflected on his time, he recognized the sacrifices made, the opportunities missed for other culturally significant films, but ultimately found pride in creating a groundbreaking television show. “I also made a great TV show,” she concluded, summing up the complex journey of a young actress who became a TV legend.
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
