Buffy Summers appears only in a television series.
Buffy Anne Summers is the titular character from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise . She first appeared in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer before going on to appear in the television series and subsequent comic book of the same name . The character has also appeared in the spin-off series Angel , as well as numerous non-canon expanded universe material , such as novels , comics , and video games . Buffy was portrayed by Kristy Swanson in the film , and later by Sarah Michelle Gellar in the television series . The television series shows Buffy carrying out her destiny in a small town built atop a portal to hell ( Hellmouth ) , surrounded by a group of friends and family who support her in her mission .