Slayer School: The Proposed Buffy Spin Off Starring Willow Teaching Slaying

In the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the Slayers were a group of young women chosen by fate to fight against the forces of darkness. The show followed the adventures of Buffy Summers, the Chosen One, as she battled vampires, demons, and other supernatural threats. However, the concept of the Slayers and their training was a rich vein of storytelling that was only lightly explored in the series. 

In the early 2000s, plans were announced for a spin-off series called Slayer School, which would have delved into the lives and training of the young Slayers. The show promised to explore the struggles and triumphs of the Slayers as they learned to harness their powers and fight against evil. 

Although the series generated a lot of buzz among fans, it ultimately never made it to air. We're taking a closer look at the proposed Buffy spin-off, Slayer School, examining why the show didn't come to fruition, and what we might have seen if it had.

What was the Buffy spin off Slayer School about?

During the final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 2003, discussions about potential spin-offs began to surface. One of the proposed series was called Slayer School, which would have followed the newly activated Slayers. According to writer Jane Espenson, the show's premise would have potentially included the character of Willow Rosenberg, and other new Slayers. However, creator Joss Whedon ultimately decided against the idea, feeling that it didn't quite fit with the Buffyverse. 

Jane Espenson has said in interviews what when the main series Buffy The Vampire Slayer was nearing its end, "I think Marti talked with Joss about Slayer School, I assume there was some back-and-forth pitching."

Additional details regarding "Slayer School" were shared by Espenson during a presentation at Ball State University in March 2003. According to Espenson, the show was envisioned to potentially feature some of the Potentials who became Slayers after the events of "Chosen," as well as other characters from Buffy, possibly even including Willow Rosenberg. However, despite these initial ideas, Whedon ultimately did not feel that a spinoff in this vein would be appropriate. As a result, it seems that "Slayer School" never progressed beyond the pitch stage as a potential replacement for Buffy.

When were the Potential Slayers introduced to Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

Potential Slayers were introduced to the Buffyverse in Season 7 of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. They were young women from around the world who had the potential to become Slayers. These were girls who had not yet been called by the mystical power that gives a girl superhuman strength and abilities to fight vampires and other demons. It was believed that there were many potentials scattered around the world, and as each active Slayer died, a new one would be called from among the potentials. 

The concept of potentials was introduced in season 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as the Scooby gang worked to protect and train a group of potentials in anticipation of the coming battle against the First Evil.

What happens with the Potentials in Season 7 of Buffy The Vampire Slayer?

The Scoobies are haunted by the First Evil, which has the ability to take on the form of any dead person. Giles gathers young girls who are Potential Slayers after the Watchers Council is destroyed by the First Evil. However, the Potentials live in constant fear of the Bringers, who are deadly sword-wielding killers. Meanwhile, Spike, who now has a soul, is driven insane by the First and secludes himself in the school basement. The First also triggers him to hurt people again. Buffy has his chip removed, and he overcomes his trigger. 

The First Evil attempts to amass an army of Turok-Han, a more powerful and violent kind of vampire, to take corporeal form. In the final battle, Willow activates multiple Potential Slayers in the world with a magical spell. With the army of girls now endowed with full Slayer power, they manage to contain the army of vampires. Spike's powerful amulet vaporizes the Hellmouth, sacrificing himself in the process. Anya is killed by a Bringer, and the town of Sunnydale is destroyed. The Hellmouth is closed, and Buffy is no longer the only Slayer.

Slayer School wasn't the only proposed Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin off at the time. There have been several potential Buffy spin-offs that have been discussed over the years. One of the earliest ideas was for a show called Ripper, which would have focused on Giles and his past as a member of the Watchers' Council. Another proposed spin-off was Faith the Vampire Slayer, which would have followed the character of Faith as she continued her journey as a Slayer. While none of these spin-offs were ultimately developed, they continue to be of interest to fans of the Buffyverse.

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