Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a classic of the 1990s and the fantasy genre, and since then, there have been some TV shows that could have been the next Buffy, but they weren’t. After the 1992 movie of the same name took a different direction than what he intended, Joss Whedon developed Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a TV show.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer introduced the audience to Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), the latest in a line of young women, known as Slayers, who are chosen by fate to battle vampires, demons, and other forces of evil. Buffy was a big success and now ranks among the best TV shows of all time.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer has been praised for its blend of genres, strong female lead, stories, and character development, so it’s not surprising that many shows have tried to be the new Buffy. Some TV shows had the potential to be, but they ultimately weren’t for different reasons.
Nancy Drew
2019-2023
The beloved amateur detective Nancy Drew has been adapted to film and TV for years, and for this list, it’s the 2019 show’s turn. Developed by Noga Landau, Josh Schwartz, and Stephanie Savage, Nancy Drew aired on The CW for four seasons and starred Kennedy McMann as the title detective.
Nancy Drew follows the 18-year-old title character, a now-retired detective dealing with her mother’s death. Nancy works as a waitress at The Bayside Claw, and she’s dragged back into action after she and her co-workers find the body of Tiffany Hudson, wife of a local businessman. Nancy and company set out to solve the murder, unaware of the supernatural phenomena they are about to face.
The TV version of Nancy Drew could have been the next Buffy Summers thanks to her detective skills and the show’s blend of crime, mystery, drama, and supernatural elements. However, as a previously existing character, Nancy Drew was too tied to its background, even if the show was very different from the books, and it couldn’t match the pace, charm, and authenticity of Buffy.
Shadowhunters
2016-2019
Shadowhunters is a supernatural drama TV series based on Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments novel series. Developed by Ed Decter, Shadowhunters ran for three seasons, and it serves as a reboot of the 2013 movie adaptation of the first book in the series.
Shadowhunters follows Clary Fray (Katherine McNamara), who, on her 18th birthday, makes a discovery that changes her life: she’s a shadowhunter, as was her mother, Joyce. Shadowhunters are humans enhanced with angel blood who protect humanity from demons. When Joyce goes missing, Clary teams up with a group of Shadowhunters to find her.
Shadowhunters had the potential to be the next Buffy the Vampire Slayer thanks to its female lead with a connection to the supernatural, her team, and supernatural elements and action – however, Shadowhunters had convoluted and messy plots, the title group wasn’t as charming and well-developed as the Scoobies, and Clary Fray lacked the strength and complexity of Buffy.
Teen Wolf
2011-2017
Teen Wolf is a supernatural teen drama TV show based on the 1985 movie of the same name. Teen Wolf takes the audience to the fictional town of Beacon Hills, California, to meet high school student Scott McCall (Tyler Posey). After being bitten by an alpha werewolf the night before his second year of high school, Scott undergoes some physical changes.
Scott must now learn to control his new powers and instincts while also struggling with being a teenager, but he ends up using his new abilities for good and protects his hometown from different supernatural threats. Throughout six seasons, Teen Wolf sees werewolves, demons, banshees, and other supernatural creatures.
Teen Wolf didn’t become the next Buffy the Vampire Slayer for the right reasons, as it was quite successful and popular as its own thing. Teen Wolf has relatable characters, an extensive mythology, and engaging storylines, and while it’s not as good and influential as Buffy, it was one of the most popular TV shows of the 2010s.
Lost Girl
2010-2015
Lost Girl is a Canadian supernatural drama TV series created by Michelle Lovretta. Lost Girl aired on Showcase for five seasons, and it introduces the audience to Bo Dennis (Anna Silk), a Succubus who, as such, can seduce, manipulate, and absorb the life force of humans and Fae. Bo was raised among humans, and when she learns about her true nature, she runs away.
With the help of a new friend, Kenzi, Bo creates a Fae/Human detective agency, but she’s forced by Fae leaders to choose a side (either Light or Dark). Bo declares herself neutral and uses her abilities to help humans. Despite its female lead and supernatural elements, Lost Girl couldn’t match Buffy’s depth, development, and well-structured mythology.
Being Human
2008-2013
Being Human is a British supernatural comedy-drama TV show created by Toby Whithouse. Being Human aired on BBC Three for five seasons and takes the audience to Bristol to meet friends and coworkers John Mitchell (Aidan Turner) and George Sands (Russell Tovey), a vampire and a werewolf, respectively.
Mitchell and George move into a new home where they meet Annie Sawyer (Lenora Crichlow), who recently died there and is now a ghost. Together, they try to live ordinary human lives the best way they can, but their respective “conditions” often get in the way. Being Human went through changes in its main cast in its final two seasons, contributing to its decline.
While Being Human is an interesting look at a world where vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and humans coexist (even if the latter aren’t aware of it), it lacked some key elements to be the next Buffy the Vampire Slayer, mainly the mystery part, a strong female lead like Buffy, and other supernatural creatures.
The Vampire Diaries
2009-2017
One of the most popular fantasy TV shows of the 2010s is The Vampire Diaries, based on L. J. Smith’s book series of the same name. Developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, The Vampire Diaries takes viewers to the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, to meet Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev), a teenage girl.
Elena falls for Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley), who she doesn’t know is a 161-year-old vampire. Their relationship is further complicated by the arrival of Stefan’s older brother, Damon (Ian Somerhalder), who plans to bring back their past love, Katherine Pierce, Elena’s doppelgänger.
Unsurprisingly, The Vampire Diaries was often compared to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and at the beginning, it had the potential to take its place – however, like other titles on this list, The Vampire Diaries succeeded on its own thanks to its story, characters, and tone, which, needs to be said, wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
Wynonna Earp
2016-2021
Wynonna Earp is a supernatural Western TV series based on Beau Smith’s comic book series of the same name. Wynonna Earp ran for four seasons, and it follows the title character (played by Melanie Scrofano), the great-great-granddaughter of the legendary Wyatt Earp. On her 27th birthday, Wynonna inherits a special power.
Wynonna can now return the reincarnated outlaws that Wyatt killed back to hell, and through his magic gun, “Peacemaker”, Wynonna looks to break her family’s curse by sending demons back to where they belong. Through the curse, Wynonna is tied to Purgatory and supernatural creatures and dangers that live in it.
Wynonna Earp didn’t become the next Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but came very close to it with its strong female lead, supernatural elements, and family themes. However, its Western style, backstory, and Wynonna’s personal journey set it apart from Buffy, but it’s a great watch for those looking for something similar.
Veronica Mars
2004-2007, 2019
Veronica Mars is a teen neo-noir mystery drama TV series created by Rob Thomas. Veronica Mars ran for four seasons and got a movie in 2014 before its final season in 2019. Veronica Mars follows the title character (Kristen Bell), a high school student moonlighting as a private investigator. The events of the series kick off with the murder of Veronica’s best friend, Lilly.
When her father, Sheriff Keith Mars, is removed from his role and is ostracized by the community, he opens a private investigation agency, with Veronica working there part-time. Veronica Mars has a strong female character who investigates different cases, very much like Buffy, but there are no supernatural elements in it.
Each episode of Veronica Mars covers a different case while also following Veronica in high school and college, as she navigates the complexities of teenage life and into young adulthood. Think of Veronica Mars as Buffy the Vampire Slayer but without vampires, demons, and other forces of (supernatural) evil.