News
- A spinoff series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was announced in February, with Hulu ordering the pilot
- Ryan Kiera Armstrong has been cast as the next slayer, and Sarah Michelle Gellar will reprise her role as Buffy Summers. She will also serve as executive producer
- No release date, trailer or plot details have been revealed yet
A Buffy the Vampire Slayer sequel spinoff series is officially in development. After years of toying with the possibility of rebooting one of the best TV series of all time, the series is finally on the way with a pilot ordered by Hulu – one of the best streaming services.
News of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot series first came in February when it was announced that the series would be returning after 20 years. At the time of the announcement, Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao (Nomadland) was named the show’s director, and Nora and Lilla Zuckerman (Poker Face) were announced as writers.
The next big question was whether the slayer herself Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the role of Buffy Summers, would be returning. And in short, yes, Gellar will be returning to Sunnydale, joining the team as an executive producer – but what about the show’s original production team?
The original ‘90s show was written and directed by Joss Whedon, who in 2021 was accused of creating a toxic work environment on the set of the show as well as its spinoff series Angel. Therefore, it’s confirmed that Whedon won’t be returning to work on the next chapter in the Buffyverse. With that said, original Buffy the Vampire Slayer producers Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, Kaz Kuzui, and Dolly Parton (yes, the Dolly Parton) will all be returning.
It’s still early days into the spinoff’s production, but we’ve had our ears to the ground when it comes to all the recent updates regarding the show. Here’s everything we know about the next chapter of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Full spoilers follow for Buffy the Vampire Slayer seasons 1-7.
Release dates speculation The OG slayer herself will be returning to the new spinoff series, reprising the iconic role as well as serving as executive producer. (Image credit: Prime Video)Though the pilot is currently in early stages of production and a new lead slayer has been cast, an exact release date has yet to be determined. According to IMDb, it’s billed to be released next year, but again, an official announcement is yet to be made – so we wouldn’t rule out 2027.
Predicted castA post shared by Sarah Michelle (@sarahmgellar)
A photo posted by on
As well as stepping into the shoes of executive producer, Sarah Michelle Gellar will also be reprising her role as Buffy Summers. However this time, Buffy won’t be at the centre of the reboot. Instead, Buffy will be a recurring character and a brand new slayer will be the focus – and she’s been found.
Back in May, it was revealed that young actress Ryan Kiera Armstrong would be taking on the lead role in the sequel series. Gellar told the news to Armstrong herself sharing the announcement via an Instagram reel where she said 'Welcome to the new Sunnydale' – a possible nod at the show's title maybe?
Prior to scoring the role as this generation’s next slayer, Armstrong kick-started her career in productions from some of the best streaming services including the Disney+ series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, and Netflix’s Anne with an E.
So far, Armstrong and Gellar are the only names attached to the spinoff’s confirmed cast. But while we still wait for more names to surface, Gellar has expressed her desire to bring back characters from Buffy’s past sharing with Vanity Fair Italia “My dream is to bring back everyone who has died, but space will have to be made for new stories as well”.
If Gellar’s dream comes to fruition, there’s an endless slew of characters from Buffy’s past that could be resurrected, but the fandom will certainly have its favorites – Joyce Summers being one of the frontrunners, who died in season five.
Other names that could crop up range from Jenny Calendar, who suffered a heart-shattering death at the hands of Angel in season two, Tara who was shot in front of her lover Willow in season six, and even Anya who died during the final moments of the finale episode. But as exciting as this may sound, it hasn’t been confirmed.
Plot rumors Could the new spinoff series see best friends Buffy and Willow reunite? (Image credit: Paramount+)Similar to its release date, we’re not exactly sure what direction the show will take plot-wise, however the reboot has been described as ‘the next chapter in the Buffyverse’, says Deadline. Additionally, Sarah Michelle Gellar also revealed to Vanity Fair that the reboot “Will be lighter than the last few seasons of the original”, adding “We will try to find a balance between new and old characters”.
Still, it doesn’t reveal a whole lot about which direction the reboot will go plot-wise. Saying that, TV Line shared details on a possible plot outline, which we’re taking with a pinch of salt for now.
According to the outlet the new slayer will lean more into the characteristics of Willow, Buffy’s timid yet intellectual sidekick with a knack for witchcraft rather than the combat, kick-ass Buffy-esque persona. TV Line also said that the new slayer could be named Nova, though it admits that this could very much be a placeholder name until more details are revealed.
Another speculation is around the new slayer’s group of friends, which TV Line says could replicate a similar one to the ‘Scooby gang’ from the original series consisting of Buffy, Xander, Willow, Buffy’s watcher Giles, and other recurring characters depending on the season. TV Line states that the new ‘Scoobies’ will be ‘Hugo, an out-and-proud nerd who comes from money, and Gracie, a young expert on vampires who’s an acolyte of Gellar’s Buffy’.
Alternatively, there’s another direction that the plot could take. Despite the golden rule of there being only one slayer at a time, the Hulu reboot could flip this on its head and explore the possibilities of there being multiple slayers – just as its season seven finale did. But this is simply a personal hypothesis.
Where to watch (Image credit: Hulu )Want to catch up on all things Buffy the Vampire Slayer before its spinoff series is released? There are plenty of platforms where you can stream all seven seasons including Hulu (US), and Disney+ and Paramount+ (UK and AU) – though only one season is available to stream on Disney+ in Australia.
- Google could freeze the Pixel Watch 4 price
- The Pixel Watch 3 started at $399 / £349 / AU$579
- We should see the new wearable next month
With a Made by Google event scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, it looks as though we don't have too much longer to wait for the Pixel Watch 4 – and a fresh pair of leaks point to the pricing and features we can expect on this new wearable.
According to Dealabs (via Android Authority), the Google Pixel Watch 4 is going to set you back from €399 for the 41 mm version, or €499 with added LTE. The equivalent prices for the 45 mm model are reportedly €449 and €549 respectively.
There's not much point giving you currency conversions on those numbers, because that's not how Google will set prices in other countries, but the important takeaway is that those are the same prices that the Google Pixel Watch 3 launched at.
That suggests you can expect to pay $399 / £349 / AU$579 and up for the Pixel Watch 4 in other countries, which in the US and UK was the same price as the Pixel Watch 2 – so full marks to Google for staying consistent, if this leak is indeed accurate.
With added strength trainingLook out for new training features (Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)Our other Pixel Watch 3 leak here is from Android Headlines: apparently the wearable is going to arrive with a new strength training experience, which you'll be able to configure through a special workout builder that Google is readying.
The idea seems to be that the feature lets you customize your own warm ups, cool downs, and workouts, in order to maximize performance gains and reduce the risk of injuries. Another feature, AI run recommendations, will be available through Fitbit Premium.
Add in previous Pixel Watch 4 rumors around a bigger battery and improved repairability, and this is shaping up to be a substantial smartwatch upgrade from Google. As always though, nothing is certain until it's made official.
The Pixel Watch 4 won't be the only new device that's on show on August 20, because we should also see the unveiling of the Google Pixel 10 series. Of course, we'll be covering all the news and announcements live on the day.
You might also like- 22-minute video reveals the incredible work that goes into making Beelink’s tiny desktop replacements
- There’s a surprising amount of hand-assembly and testing in the mini PC production line
- There’s narration, no music, just pure factory sounds and impressive craftsmanship
As mini PCs have quietly evolved into compact yet capable machines, many can easily replace traditional desktops.
Once seen as niche gadgets, they now power home offices, media setups, and small businesses, with high-performance processors, expandable memory, and solid I/O support, all packed into tiny, low-noise enclosures.
Chinese manufacturer Beelink has been producing high-quality mini PCs since 2011, and if you’ve ever wondered what goes into making one of these miniature powerhouses, you’ll want to watch a new video that showcases the entire process.
Hand-finishedWe’re big fans of Beelink’s range of mini PCs here at TechRadar Pro. We’ve reviewed models like the SER8, SER9, Beelink ME mini, and GTR7 and always come away impressed. The company's most recent release, the GTR9 Pro, is powered by a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor and delivers 126 TOPS for next-gen AI.
The video, from SatisFactory Process, has so far been watched by nearly two million viewers, and for good reason. The 22-minute showcase explores how Beelink’s mini PCs are made from start to finish, and it's mesmerizing.
It begins with raw aluminum being pressed and CNC-machined into a case. From there, you see the entire transformation: polishing, chemical cleaning, abrasive blasting, electroplating, laser engraving, and dozens of small, meticulous assembly steps.
One of the most striking things is just how much of the work is done by hand.
From installing components on the motherboard to applying thermal pads and screwing together daughterboards, human workers are visible at almost every stage.
There are multiple quality control checks throughout, including electrical testing, visual inspections, firmware flashing, and more.
The build is topped off with packaging, accessories, plastic wrapping, and factory seals before heading out the door.
Part of what makes the video so watchable - and that 22 minutes absolutely flies by - is that it’s not flashy or promotional. There’s no voiceover, no music. Just the sound of real machines and real people building something.
Many of the comments under the video echo the same feeling: surprise at the number of steps involved, appreciation for the amount of human care, and admiration for a company willing to show the entire process.
As one commenter observed, “This is the best advertisement a company can do” - and it really is.
Watch and enjoy the video below.
You might also like- These are the best business laptops around
- And these are the best workstations available today
- Compact workstation PC appears with some outstanding features
- OpenCart websites were silently injected with malware that mimics trusted tracking scripts
- Script hides in analytics tags and quietly swaps real payment forms for fake ones
- Obfuscated JavaScript allowed attackers to slip past detection and launch credential theft in real time
A new Magecart-style attack has raised concerns across the cybersecurity landscape, targeting ecommerce websites which rely on the OpenCart CMS.
The attackers injected malicious JavaScript into landing pages, cleverly hiding their payload among legitimate analytics and marketing tags such as Facebook Pixel, Meta Pixel, and Google Tag Manager.
Exepers from c/side, a cybersecurity firm that monitors third-party scripts and web assets to detect and prevent client-side attacks, says the injected code resembles a standard tag snippet, but its behavior tells a different story.
Obfuscation techniques and script injectionThis particular campaign disguises its malicious intent by encoding payload URLs using Base64 and routing traffic through suspicious domains such as /tagscart.shop/cdn/analytics.min.js, making it harder to detect in transit.
At first, it appears to be a standard Google Analytics or Tag Manager script, but closer inspection reveals otherwise.
When decoded and executed, the script dynamically creates a new element, inserts it before existing scripts, and silently launches additional code.
The malware then executes heavily obfuscated code, using techniques such as hexadecimal references, array recombination, and the eval() function for dynamic decoding.
The key function of this script is to inject a fake credit card form during checkout, styled to appear legitimate.
Once rendered, the form captures input across the credit card number, expiration date, and CVC. Listeners are attached to blur, keydown, and paste events, ensuring that user input is captured at every stage.
Importantly, the attack doesn’t rely on clipboard scraping, and users are forced to manually input card details.
After this, data is immediately exfiltrated via POST requests to two command-and-control (C2) domains: //ultracart[.]shop/g.php and //hxjet.pics/g.php.
In an added twist, the original payment form is hidden once the card information is submitted - a second page then prompts users to enter further bank transaction details, compounding the threat.
What stands out in this case is the unusually long delay in using the stolen card data, which took several months instead of the typical few days.
The report reveals that one card was used on June 18 in a pay-by-phone transaction from the US, while another was charged €47.80 to an unidentified vendor.
This breach shows a growing risk in SaaS-based e-commerce, where CMS platforms like OpenCart become soft targets for advanced malware.
There is therefore a need for stronger security measures beyond basic firewalls.
Automated platforms like c/side claim to detect threats by spotting obfuscated JavaScript, unauthorized form injections, and anomalous script behavior.
As attackers evolve, even small CMS deployments must remain vigilant, and real-time monitoring and threat intelligence should no longer be optional for e-commerce vendors seeking to secure their customers’ trust.
You might also like- Downloaded something dodgy? These are the best malware removal tools
- Nail the basics with the best firewalls available now
- DOGE employee leaks private xAI API key from sensitive database
- ChatGPT can’t tell if a site was hacked, expired, or repurposed for casino spam
- AI-generated answers may seem reliable, even when they cite completely hijacked and fake sources
- Expired charity domains are reborn as gambling sites and still pass as trustworthy AI sources
ChatGPT is quickly becoming a go-to source for people seeking recommendations, from online services to local businesses, but new evidence suggests its AI-generated suggestions may not always be grounded in trustworthy sources.
In fact, some are being drawn from websites that have either been hacked or whose domains have expired and been repurposed, often to promote online casinos and gambling platforms.
Over the past several months, James Brockbank, managing director and founder at Digitaloft, has been documenting how widespread the problem has become, uncovering examples of ChatGPT citing content from sites that have clearly been manipulated.
Exploiting gaps in AI source validationIn one instance, a functioning legal practice’s website, run by attorney Veronica T. Barton, had pages recommending UK casinos buried within it.
“Their site has been hacked and this page added,” Brockbank noted after reviewing the evidence.
In another case, a site once affiliated with a United Nations youth coalition had been transformed into a platform pushing “casinos not on GamStop.”
Although the listicle it hosted contained only one external link, it led to yet another repurposed domain.
The pattern continued with expired domains, including one that had belonged to a now-defunct arts charity previously linked by the BBC, CNN, and Bloomberg.
That domain, now pushing gambling content, was cited by ChatGPT in response to a query about no-deposit casinos.
These tactics exploit weaknesses in how ChatGPT selects and cites sources, as unlike traditional search engines, the model lacks mechanisms for verifying the legitimacy of a site’s ownership or editorial intent.
As a result, content injected onto compromised websites can surface in its answers without any obvious red flags to the user.
ChatGPT appears to favor recent content and still attributes authority based on legacy domain reputation, even when the domain’s content has no continuity with its past - which opens the door for bad actors to manipulate visibility through means that have little to do with credibility.
The bottom line is that users turning to ChatGPT for recommendations should not assume that every answer is backed by a credible source.
A quick check of the cited site’s authority, its history, ownership, and relevance can go a long way in avoiding misleading or harmful suggestions.
You might also like- Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" set to award $1 billion funding to "offensive cyber operations"
- Here's a list of the best firewalls around today
- These are the best endpoint security tools right now
- The Mowrator S1 is an all-wheel drive lawnbot for tricky yards
- Can also function as a snow plough, trailer hitch and more
- Operates using videogame-style remote control
Lawnbots are great for neat, mostly flat, grass-covered lawns. But what if you have something more challenging? What if your lawn is lumpy, bumpy, overgrown, filled with roots, or super-steep? What if you have a paddock or a field that needs to be kept in check?
Mowrator has come to the rescue. Its Mowrator S1 is not so much a lawnbot as an all-in-one, consumer-grade, yardwork Transformer.
For lawncare, you can think of it like a ride-on mower, but shrunk down, powered by electricity, and operated by remote control. Available in four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive versions, it's equipped with a 21-inch long, straight blade. It can handle thick, tall or wet grass, get into the awkward areas usually off limits to mowers, and scale slopes of up to 85% (about 40 degrees).
When summer is over, the modular design can be reconfigured to deal with the demands of different seasons. There's a snow blade attachment, it can vacuum up dropped leaves in fall, and you can hook up a trailer and use it to transport things like fertilizer.
Yardwork... but make it funMost robot lawn mowers navigate independently, but this one is remote-controlled. So while it's a more hands-on choice, it's perfect if your yard has terrain, roots, or foliage that a traditional lawnbot can't handle. And you can still mow, plough snow or clear leaves from the comfort of your sofa, while monitoring the M1's progress out of the window.
It could be a particular game-changer for seniors or anyone struggling with the physical strain of staying on top of yard work – it'll take care of a variety of strenuous pushing and lifting tasks for you.
It also – frankly – looks incredibly fun to use. It's ready to go straight out of the box so there's none of the tedium of mapping the space, and you drive it using a game-style remote. A five-tier obstacle detection and avoidance system provides backup for unexpected hazards.
The Mowrator M1 can mow 1.125 acres on a single charge (an added an extra chassis fan cools the system while mowing, to prevent overheating) and there's fast charging to take the battery back to full in just 90 minutes. It's powered by four independent motors, and Morator says it has the same strength as a gas mower but without the emissions or noise.
The Mowrator S1 is available to buy now, with pricing starting from $2,499 / £2,578.
You might also like...- Hackers didn’t need Paddy Power and Betfair users’ passwords to start building targeted scams using personal betting activity
- Even without card details, stolen emails and IPs can power highly convincing fraud attempts
- Gamblers are now prime targets for phishing messages tailored to their habits
A major data breach affecting up to 800,000 users of two popular online betting platforms has raised concerns about phishing risks and the role of artificial intelligence in exploiting exposed personal data.
The incident, confirmed by Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of Paddy Power and Betfair, compromised user IP addresses, email addresses, and online activity linked to individual gambling accounts.
Although no passwords or payment details were exposed, cybersecurity experts caution the stolen data could still be used to mount highly targeted attacks.
Passwords are safe, but you need to remain vigilantFlutter, which operates several major gambling brands including Sky Bet and Tombola, acknowledged the breach and described it as a "data incident" that has since been contained.
The company has told users there is, “nothing you need to do in response to this incident,” although they were advised to remain vigilant.
With 4.2 million average monthly players across its UK and Irish platforms, the exposure of even a fraction of its user base could be serious.
Harley Morlet, chief marketing officer at Storm Guidance, warned those who regularly spend large amounts of money on these sites could be at greater risk.
“With the advent of AI, I think it would actually be very easy to build out a large-scale automated attack,” he told the BBC's Today programme.
“Basically, focusing on crafting messages that look appealing to those gamblers.”
Tim Rawlins, director and senior adviser at the NCC Group, echoed those concerns, urging customers to be wary of emails that reflect their personal betting patterns.
“You might re-enter your credit card number, you might re-enter your bank account details, those are the sort of things people need to be on the lookout for and be conscious of that sort of threat.”
“If it's too good to be true, it probably is a fraudster who's coming after your money,” he added.
Rawlins also stated that AI is making phishing attempts harder to detect, noting a rise in the sophistication of fraudulent emails.
The risk is especially acute in spear phishing campaigns, where stolen data is used to tailor messages that closely mimic legitimate correspondence.
For users now wondering how to protect themselves, relying solely on a free antivirus or even a standard Android antivirus app might not be enough.
While an antivirus solution can block known malware, it’s less effective against cleverly written emails that coax victims into handing over sensitive information themselves.
Instead, a layered approach that includes caution, skepticism, and good cyber hygiene remains the best defense.
You might also like- These are the best VPNs with antivirus you can use right now
- Take a look at our pick of the best internet security suites
- US Army soldier pleads guilty to hacking telcos, extortion, wire fraud, identity theft
- The first four episodes will be released on September 4
- Entirely new cast, except for Oscar Nuñez, who reprises his role
- The plot follows a declining Midwestern newspaper
- There's no official trailer yet
The Paper is Peacock's follow-up to the hit NBC series The Office, a beloved sitcom that is one of my firm favorites. This is our first time diving into this world since 2013, and I am intrigued to see how it will play out.
While set in the same universe as The Office, the creators have confirmed that The Paper is set in a new company, and we've moved out of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to a new location.
The Office's Greg Daniels and Late Night with Conan O'Brien's Michael Koman are the ones behind the series, so it looks like it's in good hands.
With The Office being such a hit and a show I quote daily, it'll be interesting to see if The Paper can reach the same highs or, at the very least, be a highly entertaining entry into the mockumentary genre.
Here's everything we know about The Paper so far.
The Paper release dateA post shared by Rotten Tomatoes (@rottentomatoes)
A photo posted by on
The Paper will be exclusively on Peacock, with the first four episodes dropping on September 4. It will then have a weekly release schedule with two episodes arriving until the season finale on September 10.
So those wanting to binge-watch might be disappointed, but it's definitely nice having a double bill to enjoy each week after the show's four-episode premiere.
The Paper trailer speculationRight now, we don't have an official trailer for The Paper, but we should expect to see it closer to the release date.
When it does drop, it's likely fans will be hopeful that it'll match the quality of its predecessor, so the pressure is on for the new Peacock show. Only time will tell, as we haven't seen any video footage from the show yet.
The Paper confirmed castWhile we don't have a trailer yet, we do know who will be in the cast, and we've got a very familiar face showing up for a new job.
Oscar Nuñez will reprise his role as The Office’s Oscar Martinez, and he's now working in the accounting department at The Truth Teller.
Speaking about his return at an NBCUniversal Upfront, Nuñez said: “I told Mr. Greg Daniels that if Oscar came back, he would probably be living in a more bustling, cosmopolitan city. Greg heard me, and he moved Oscar to Toledo, Ohio, which has three times the population of Scranton. So, it was nice to be heard.”
Elsewhere, we've got a brand new cast, including Domhnall Gleeson as a new hire and Sabrina Impacciatore, who is described as the "no nonsense managing editor" of The Truth Teller.
The rest of the newsroom includes Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Ramona Young, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, and Tim Key.
The Paper story synopsisConfirmed to be set in the same universe as The Office, the same fictional documentary crew that once filmed the lives of Dunder Mifflin employees will now be setting their sights on The Truth Teller.
With that in mind, the new series will follow the everyday chaos at this fictional small-town newspaper. There's big work to be done, though, as the paper's publisher begins recruiting volunteer reporters to try and keep the presses running. A plot has teased that we should expect "all the dysfunction, awkwardness, and heart" that we saw in The Office, which should reassure long-term fans.
Will The Paper return for season 2?Right now, we don't have any details about a potential season 2 but if that changes we'll be sure to update you.
For now, it's up to season one to make a good first impression so this is likely where Peacock's focus lies.