The cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunited for Entertainment Weekly’s latest cover, 20 years after the show premiered, but one member of the Scooby gang had a good reason for not attending.
Shots from the reunion shoot trickled out throughout the past day and the BTVS fandom, which had just recently marked 20 years online, celebrated the photos and video. Just about everyone was there, and it indulged many of the things fans loved: the gothic-style shoot, Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy) with David Boreanaz (Angel) and James Marsden (Spike), as well as a particularly great shot of Amber Benson (Tara), Alyson Hannigan (Willow), and Seth Green (Oz) all holding hands.
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So happy with this #BuffyReunion! The cast all look so stunning. It's amazing to see them back together. @Buffy_Ringer @BuffyAngelShow pic.twitter.com/UgaHW9WHPw
— Forever Charmed (@ShannenDlover) March 29, 2017
As fans quickly realized upon pouring over the photos and video released by EW, Anthony Stewart Head, who played Buffy’s mentor and Sunnydale librarian Rupert Giles in the show, wasn’t part of the shoot.
Every time these Buffy pictures cross my TL without Anthony Stewart Head I get a little sadder. WHERE WERE YOU GILES. EVEN JOYCE WAS THERE.
— Elizabeth Minkel (@elizabethminkel) March 29, 2017
But why is Giles missing?!!!! #BuffyReunion pic.twitter.com/soC88pABZI
— . (@kidoo_k) March 29, 2017
I love this show! #buffyslays20 #BTVS #Buffy #BuffyReunion But where's Giles!?! @bufferingcast pic.twitter.com/tWO4YV4qM8
— Not With Gnomes 🍩 (@NotWithGnomes) March 29, 2017
Eliza Dushku (Faith) also wasn’t part of the shoot because, as she told a fan, she was never a series regular. But the exclusion of Giles made no sense. Head revealed on Twitter late Wednesday, he had a valid excuse: he was in the midst of rehearsals and couldn’t get away.
So sad I couldn't join the reunion – wasn't for lack of trying – literally coincided with the tech rehearsal of Love In Idleness. Bummer x
— Anthony Stewart Head 💙 (@AnthonySHead) March 30, 2017
EW have worked hard to have my presence felt – in a portrait on set and an interview. Here's to 20 years and a wonderful group of people x
— Anthony Stewart Head 💙 (@AnthonySHead) March 30, 2017
Although Head couldn’t be at the shoot in person, there was a major effort to include him. He did an interview for the magazine, and if you look closely enough at the photos, you can see him there.
Now we know why Anthony Stewart Head is aging so well pic.twitter.com/aqRmNac5TW
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) March 29, 2017