Hopes are fading for a further spin-off after Buffy.

First it was definitely going to be Dawn the Vampire Slayer. Then they were sure it was going to be Faith the Vampire Slayer. Then they were positive that it was Willow's Witch Academy. Now it looks as though all the rumour-mongering about a new Buffy spin-off was way off-beam.

Eliza Dusku's unavailability nixed the Faith show. "There was some talk... but she chose something else, and the talk stopped," Joss Whedon said, speaking to TV Guide Online.

Ain't It Cool News also carries reports of writer Jane Espenson discussing the possibilities. According to their source ("call me Chet"), Espenson echoed Whedon's comments about the Faith spin-off, but went on to discuss a Slayer School show, with Willow heading up a Hollywood Hogwarts. But, Chet says, "that did not seem that likely as it doesn't feel right, and would most likely not happen unless Joss changed his feelings."

Whedon's hopeful that he'll be able to tell stories in the world of Buffy. Eventually. "It doesn't mean the Buffy universe is closed or that there aren't potential spinoffs, like Willow or whatever. But it does mean that Buffy, as we know it, will end. This is the last season. It's not coming back. Something may come. It may come next season, it may come later."