10 Things Non-Fans Don't Understand About Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer started out as a mid-season replacement with a relatively small budget. No one could have predicted that it would go on to be so influential.

Whilst the monster-of-the-week trope is a recurring feature throughout, the use of lengthy character arcs and season-long narratives was revolutionary. Whedon and his team shook up the industry by giving audiences a story that transcended the weekly formula and led the way for other shows in the 2000s. Indeed, Russell T. Davies has talked about Buffy's influence on the revival of Doctor Who.

What’s more, having a female lead in a fantastical/supernatural show was also unusual at the time. Buffy’s popularity then led to a number of other female-led stories, such as Teen Wolf, Tru Calling, and Dead Like Me.

If the success of Buffy proves anything, it’s that character, plot, and originality are the key to success and longevity. This odd show didn’t have a big budget or a cast of famous faces, but it did have a team of writers who changed the industry forever.