Sarah Michelle Gellar is taking her slaying responsibilities very seriously.

Now that news of the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival is finally out in the world, the actress is battling nerves instead of bloodsuckers. Gellar recently told PEOPLE that while the response from fans has been “exciting,” it’s also caused some anxiety to know that expectations are so high.

“I wish there was a better word than overwhelming,” Gellar told the outlet while attending the 12th Annual Makeup Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards on Feb. 15. “It’s heartwarming and exciting and also incredibly nerve-wracking at the same time.”

She added, “Nerve-wracking because you have to do it right.”

Luckily, Gellar has plenty of confidence when it comes to the team assembled to helm Buffy’s return to the small screen. “I think we have this team in place that is legendary, from Chloé Zhao to the Zucks [Nora and Lilla Zuckerman], to Gail Berman,” she explained. “And I think people are going to be pretty impressed.”

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Earlier this month, Entertainment Weekly confirmed that Gellar was in talks to resurrect the beloved supernatural series with a sequel. The “untitled Buffyverse pilot” is now in development at Hulu from 20th Television and Searchlight TV and, per Variety, will tell “the next chapter in the Buffyverse” by focusing on a new Slayer.

Within days, Gellar broke her silence on the project, sharing a lengthy note about her decision to get involved after years of affirming that she has no interest in reviving the series. She explained that it all began when Berman asked her to meet with Zhao, the Nomadland and Eternals director, who had a take on a potential Buffy revival.

“We laughed, we cried, but mostly we both talked about how much this show means to us,” Gellar said of the emotional meeting. “While I didn’t agree to anything at that meeting, I did shock myself by agreeing to continue the conversation. These conversations did, in fact, continue over the next few years and eventually we added the incredible Nora and Lilla Zuckerman to our little tribe until ultimately, one day, we landed on an idea.” 

Gellar and co have not revealed any further details, though the actress did assure die-hard Buffy-heads that the show will only go forward if everything falls into place.

“I have always listened to the fans and heard your desire to revisit Buffy and her world, but it was not something I could do unless I was sure we would get it right,” Gellar said. “This has been a long process, and it’s not over yet. I promise you, we will only make this show if we know we can do it right. And I will tell you that we are on the path there.”

If the revival goes forward as planned, Gellar would star and executive produce the series, written and executive produced by Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman (Poker Face, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Suits), and directed and executive produced by Oscar winner Zhao (Nomadland, Eternals). Executive producers include Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, and Kaz Kuzui, who all worked on the original Buffy, as well as Dolly Parton.

Buffy’s disgraced original creator Joss Whedon has no involvement in the new revival. The prolific TV creator came under fire in 2021 when he was accused of creating “hostile and toxic work environments” on Buffy and its spin-off Angel by multiple stars, including Charisma Carpenter and other people associated with the shows.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer launched in 1997 and ultimately ran for seven seasons, telling the story of its titular hero, a young woman who must fight vampires, demons, and other evil forces while making her way through high school.