“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” premiered 20 years ago today, and the show’s cast, writers and fans are paying tribute to the groundbreaking series on Twitter.
“Buffy” fans shared what the show meant to them 20 years ago using the hashtag #BuffySlays20, which became a trending topic on Twitter on Friday. Users shared memories, fan art and gratitude for the show, reflecting on how influential the WB series was at the time, and still is today.
“Before Hermione Granger and Daenerys Targaryen, there was Buffy Summers and she set the bar for strong female characters,” wrote one Twitter user.
Star Sarah Michelle Gellar got in on the action, using the hashtag to thank her fans and share some of her favorite memories. The actress, who earned a Golden Globe nomination for her work on the show, also penned a longer tribute to “Buffy” on Instagram.
“She’s a feminist challenge to gender hierarchy,” she wrote. “Buffy may have been the Chosen One, but I was the lucky one.”
See some of the Twitter tributes below:
#buffyslays20 To the greatest fans ever, thank you for keeping this show going long past our seven seasons pic.twitter.com/xRMxk1HD61
— Sarah Michelle (@SarahMGellar) March 10, 2017
One of my favorite moments #prom #classprotector What are yours? #buffyslays20 pic.twitter.com/LaqVTcunP4
— Sarah Michelle (@SarahMGellar) March 10, 2017
Wow. #20YearsOfBuffy @joss What can I possibly say to thank you? No really, what can I say?!? I need YOU to write it!!!
— alyson hannigan (@alydenisof) March 10, 2017
And I need you to say it 💕 https://t.co/V2olprw6Kq
— Joss Whedon (@joss) March 10, 2017
@joss sending you a huge thank you and an awkward hug for hiring me all those years ago. #buffyslays20 #BuffyTheVampireSlayer
— emmacaulfieldofficial (@emmacaulfield) March 10, 2017
#Buffy #Angel epic romance. an honor to be a part of. #buffyslays20 #BuffyTheVampireSlayer #Undead #Julietlandauhttps://t.co/E5z8MXsVke pic.twitter.com/Po9rMBSuqS
— Juliet Landau (@julietlandau) March 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/juliebenz/status/840256380393074692
https://twitter.com/martinoxon/status/840025667857072128
#Buffy changed the world – and it changed me. (And I have a career because of it.) Thank you, @joss. 💜#buffyslays20 pic.twitter.com/ajnFqMFGaa
— (((Drew Z. Greenberg))) (@DrewZachary) March 10, 2017
Sending so much love to all Buffy fans on our 20th anniversary! Thank you for remembering!
— Jane Espenson (@JaneEspenson) March 10, 2017
Before Hermione Granger and Daenerys Targaryen, there was Buffy Summers and she set the bar for strong female characters! #buffyslays20 pic.twitter.com/j6dLPRCOsr
— Jason Pellegrini (@JPellegrini1983) March 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/MaryKJacob/status/840269526419812352
Willow & Tara were the first LGBT+ characters I saw on TV. I can't believe it's been 20 years since this show first aired ❤️ #BuffySlays20 pic.twitter.com/EXmAnlVuMn
— Calum McSwiggan (@CalumMcSwiggan) March 10, 2017
#BuffyTheVampireSlayer was my #1 formative influence and inspiration and it's still my all-time favourite. happy buffy day! #buffyslays20 pic.twitter.com/WO7JIXyGAs
— hannah 🎃 (@hannahlucyrose) March 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/Patrick_Ness/status/840126160461684736
https://twitter.com/Chris_Higgins83/status/840275430670237696
The first tv couple I ever shipped was Buffy & Angel! I wanted them to end up together so badly! ☺️ #BuffyTheVampireSlayer #buffyslays20 pic.twitter.com/O31ZOhJJqw
— Stefanie (@stefanieRibarra) March 10, 2017
It's super liberating to have something joyful, but also so full of badass lady power to tweet about #buffyslays20
— Sarah Wingo (@SgWingo) March 10, 2017
Thank you BTVS for Willow and Tara; strong and complex women in love #buffy20gifparty #buffyslays20 pic.twitter.com/GUWQSTCqYT
— Vie 🎃 they/them (@slayerscommathe) March 10, 2017
#BuffySlays20 so here's a painting I did of my most favorite big bads 💕 @JamesMarstersOf @julietlandau pic.twitter.com/fYpP9wn42W
— Lindsey Look (@LindseyLook) March 9, 2017