Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an American television series which aired from March 10, 1997, until May 20, 2003. The series was created in 1997 by writer-director Joss Whedon under his production tag, Mutant Enemy Productions with later co-executive producers being Jane Espenson , David Fury , David Greenwalt , Doug Petrie , Marti Noxon , and David Solomon . The series narrative follows Buffy Summers (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar ), the latest in a line of young women known as "Vampire Slayers" or simply "Slayers". In the story, Slayers are "called" (chosen by fate ) to battle against vampires , demons , and other forces of darkness. Like previous Slayers , Buffy is aided by a Watcher , who guides, teaches, and trains her. Unlike her predecessors, Buffy surrounds herself with a circle of loyal friends who become known as the " Scooby Gang ". h...