BBC, Whedon Set Stakes for Buffy Spin-off
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Anthony Stewart Head |
The much-rumored Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off has reportedly been confirmed by two London newspapers, The Sunday Times and The Observer, however, American reporters have been unable to to reach BBC representatives for additional confirmation. The initial rumors, dating back to December 2000, indicated that Whedon would co-create with the BBC a Buffy spin-off starring Anthony Stewart Head, who plays Rupert Giles, Buffy's Watcher and mentor. It was confirmed this spring that Head would have a reduced role this coming season because the actor wishes to spend more time in England with his family after spending five seasons shooting Buffy in Los Angeles. The spin-off, reportedly called The Watcher, will, of course, focus on Giles, and be a darker, more adult version of the teen-targeted American show. In the past, Whedon did indicate that such a plan was being considered and that if so, he'd like the BBC series to eventually air in the U.S. as a miniseries (BBC television series often only run six to 13 episodes a season, unlike the American 22 episodes).
Accompanying photograph © 2001 20th-Century Fox Television Production and The WB Network.