Michelle Trachtenberg was already in talks to reprise her character Dawn Summers in the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival before her shock death, an insider has revealed.
News broke on Wednesday afternoon that the Gossip Girl star had died at the age of 39 in New York City.
The popular actress was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ by her mother in her apartment just after 8am local time.
Police sources later confirmed to ABC News that she died of natural causes following a liver transplant.
Now, insiders have revealed that she had been plotting her upcoming role amid recent reports that Buffy was set to make its way back to screens.
‘Michelle Trachtenberg was in talks to return to Buffy the reboot and she was incredibly hopeful about it,’ a source exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com.
Michelle Trachtenberg was already in talks to reprise her role as Dawn Summers in the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival before her shock death, an insider has revealed
The actress famously played Dawn Summers aka ‘The Key’ – the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy in 66 episodes of the supernatural teen drama
The insider noted that the drama’s lead actress Sarah Michelle Gellar was especially keen to bring the actress back to play her younger sister onscreen.
‘Sarah Michelle obviously felt that the reboot would need her as much as it needed Sarah,’ the source continued.
They revealed that friends of the actress had been aware of her health issues and had hoped that her return to work could help her.
‘She was a pivotal role in the original and everyone was aware of her recent health struggles,’ the source said.
‘They were hoping that, perhaps, casting her as Sarah’s sister in a reboot would help her overcome any issues she was having. She was not cast out by any means.’
Her shock death will likely have a huge impact on the revival series – which is going ahead without any input from disgraced creator Joss Whedon.
The insider noted: ‘It is still in early stages, but the reboot will feel her void. Fans were hopeful that she would be cast and Michelle expressed interest and excitement at the opportunity.’
Last month, news broke that Hulu was close to finalizing a pilot order for a reboot of the beloved 90s show and that Sarah Michelle was in final negotiations to executive produce.
‘Michelle Trachtenberg was in talks to return to Buffy the reboot and she was incredibly hopeful about it,’ a source exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com
‘Sarah Michelle obviously felt that the reboot would need her as much as it needed Sarah,’ the source continued
Read MoreBREAKING NEWS Michelle Trachtenberg ᴅᴇᴀᴅ at 39: Buffy and Gossip Girl star pᴀsses away after troubling posts 
Almost immediately, fans of the original series took to social media to express their outrage and fears that the revival would ruin the franchise.
The popular supernatural drama aired for seven seasons spanning 1997-2003 on The WB/UPN and it spawned David Boreanaz’s spin-off Angel, which aired for five seasons between 1999-2004 on The WB.
Buffy was originally created by Joss, now 60, for the 1992 film directed by Fran Rubel Kuzui, starring Kirsty Swanson as the slayer.
His career in showbusiness ended in 2021 after mounting allegations of ‘cruel’ and ‘toxic’ behavior on set from actors Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Gal Gadot, and Charisma Carpenter.
Fans have been left reeling by Michelle’s death, with police confirming to DailyMail.com that there is no foul play suspected.
Sources told TMZ that the actress had recently undergone a liver transplant after battling alcohol issues.
Her final outing was to Sartiano’s restaurant in SoHo last Thursday night.
On Wednesday, Michelle’s rep confirmed her death in a statement which read: ‘It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has pᴀssed away.
News broke on Wednesday afternoon that the Gossip Girl star had died at the age of 39 in New York City (pictured February 12)
The popular supernatural drama aired for seven seasons spanning 1997-2003 on The WB/UPN and it spawned David Boreanaz’s spin-off Angel, which aired between 1999-2004 on The WB
‘The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.’
An autopsy will be carried out by the medical examiner’s office to establish the exact cause of death.
‘On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at approximately 0801 hours, police responded to a 911 call of an aided individual at 1 Columbus Place, within the confines of the Midtown North Precinct,’ police said in a statement.
‘Upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive. EMS responded to the location and pronounced the victim deceased.
‘Criminality is not suspected. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing.’
Co-stars such as Gossip Girl actor Ed Westwick, Harriet The Spy star Rosie O’Donnell and her Buffy costar James Marsters led public tributes.
