BuffyDirector Says David Boreanaz Was 'Terrified' Shooting the First Episode of the Series

Mar. 15, 2025

David Boreanaz in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ in 1997 and in 2024.Photo:Timothy White/20th Century Fox Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock; Ralph Bavaro/NBCUniversal via Getty

Timothy White/20th Century Fox Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock; Ralph Bavaro/NBCUniversal via Getty

David Boreanazseemed “terrified” on the set of the very first episode ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer, according to director Charles Martin Smith.Smith joinedBuffyalumna Juliet Landau on the most recent episode of herRe-Vampedpodcast to discuss his experience directing the beloved series’ 1997 premiere — the onlyBuffyepisode he ever helmed.Smith said that one of the challenges of working on the premiere was the fact that, besides starSarah Michelle Gellar, many of the actors “really had very little experience” in front of the camera. He recalled Boreanaz, who had only appeared in a handful of small film roles and in a single 1993 episode ofMarried… with Childrenbefore landing the role ofreluctant vampire Angel, seeming particularly nervous.David Boreanaz, Alyson Hannigan and Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ in 1997.Richard Cartwright/20th Century Fox Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock“I remember him coming to set, and I just thought, ‘This kid is terrified,’ ” Smith said. “I do remember David being — just not really knowing what to do.”Boreanaz, of course, found his stride on the show, becoming a breakout star. His character was ultimately given a spin-off series,Angel, which aired for five seasons on The WB from 1999 to 2004.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Years later, Smith said, he ran into Boreanaz at a party in Hollywood. “He thanked me for getting him through that first day,” Smith said. “He was really sweet about it. He said, ‘I really did not know what I was doing. But thanks, Charlie.’ And I said, ‘Well, you know, you wanna help a young actor.’ I was a young actor myself who didn’t know what I was doing. So, you know, you wanna help those people.”David Boreanaz and Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ season 2.Hulton Archive/GettyDespite his shaky start on the series, Boreanaz suggested last year that hemightbe interested inrevisiting the worlds ofBuffyandAngel.“It’s definitely something that would be interesting to tap back into, that world, that environment,” he told PEOPLE.While Hulu has confirmed aChloé Zhao-directedBuffyreboot is in the workswith Gellar reprising her title role, there’s been no word so far about whether Boreanaz will return as Angel.Buffy the Vampire Slayeris available to stream in full on Hulu and for free on Tubi.

David Boreanazseemed “terrified” on the set of the very first episode ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer, according to director Charles Martin Smith.

Smith joinedBuffyalumna Juliet Landau on the most recent episode of herRe-Vampedpodcast to discuss his experience directing the beloved series’ 1997 premiere — the onlyBuffyepisode he ever helmed.

Smith said that one of the challenges of working on the premiere was the fact that, besides starSarah Michelle Gellar, many of the actors “really had very little experience” in front of the camera. He recalled Boreanaz, who had only appeared in a handful of small film roles and in a single 1993 episode ofMarried… with Childrenbefore landing the role ofreluctant vampire Angel, seeming particularly nervous.

David Boreanaz, Alyson Hannigan and Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ in 1997.Richard Cartwright/20th Century Fox Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock

Richard Cartwright/20th Century Fox Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock

“I remember him coming to set, and I just thought, ‘This kid is terrified,’ ” Smith said. “I do remember David being — just not really knowing what to do.”

Boreanaz, of course, found his stride on the show, becoming a breakout star. His character was ultimately given a spin-off series,Angel, which aired for five seasons on The WB from 1999 to 2004.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Years later, Smith said, he ran into Boreanaz at a party in Hollywood. “He thanked me for getting him through that first day,” Smith said. “He was really sweet about it. He said, ‘I really did not know what I was doing. But thanks, Charlie.’ And I said, ‘Well, you know, you wanna help a young actor.’ I was a young actor myself who didn’t know what I was doing. So, you know, you wanna help those people.”

David Boreanaz and Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ season 2.Hulton Archive/Getty

Hulton Archive/Getty

Despite his shaky start on the series, Boreanaz suggested last year that hemightbe interested inrevisiting the worlds ofBuffyandAngel.

“It’s definitely something that would be interesting to tap back into, that world, that environment,” he told PEOPLE.

While Hulu has confirmed aChloé Zhao-directedBuffyreboot is in the workswith Gellar reprising her title role, there’s been no word so far about whether Boreanaz will return as Angel.

Buffy the Vampire Slayeris available to stream in full on Hulu and for free on Tubi.

source: people.com