Buffy's Sarah Michelle Gellar has paid an emotional tribute to co-star Michelle Trachtenberg, who passed away at the age of 39.
Gellar took to her Instagram to share pictures of her and Trachtenberg together, captioned by a sweet message inspired by Buffy's season 5 finale, 'The Gift'.
In the episode, Gellar's character Buffy sacrifices herself to save her younger sister Dawn, played by Trachtenberg.
"Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you," Gellar's tribute began. "The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you."
She also reposted the images – which also feature Buffy's Seth Green and her close friend, Charmed's Shannen Doherty, alongside Trachtenberg – to her Stories to Sarah McLachlan's 'I Will Remember You'.
Gellar has joined other Buffy stars who've paid tribute to Trachtenberg, including Alyson Hannigan, known for the role of Willow.
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"I am deeply saddened by the news of Michelle's passing," Hannigan shared in an Instagram post. "She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy. My thoughts are with Michelle's family and friends."
Emma Caulfield, who played Anya, also shared a message following Trachtenberg's passing.
"I'm so sorry your bright light died so young," Caulfield wrote in a Story. "Our Buffy family lost a little sister today... Rest in peace lovely Mish Mish. You were loved."
Charisma Carpenter, who portrayed Cordelia in three seasons of Buffy, penned a sweet message for Trachtenberg, despite the two actors never crossing paths on the show.
"I did not know Michelle as well as some of my other colleagues from Buffy, but it is never easy to see someone so young, bright, beautiful, and full of promise pass away. It's devastating, actually," Carpenter wrote on Instagram.
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"I extend my deepest condolences to those who knew her better than I did – those who had the pleasure of working with her, those who loved her with all their might, her family, and her partner, whom I never met. I'm so sorry for your loss.
"I would be remiss not to acknowledge the undeniable impact she has had on the lives of her fans worldwide. She will live on through her performances and her love of storytelling forever. Rest easy, Michelle."
Alongside her role on Buffy, Trachtenberg played Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl and its 2022 reboot.
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Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
