All The Buffy and Angel Stars Who Backed Charisma Carpenter After Her Joss Whedon Allegations

Charisma Carpenter, who starred as Cordelia Chase in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off, Angel, is talking out towards the collection’ creator, Joss Whedon, accusing him of abusive habits on set. “Joss was the vampire,” Carpenter wrote Wednesday, Feb. 10 on Twitter and Instagram in posts that accuse Whedon of “traumatizing habits,” “being casually merciless,” berating her about her being pregnant, and in the end firing her in consequence.

Within the following hours and days, Carpenter’s posts have been met with assist from many fellow Buffy alumni, together with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Amber Benson, Michelle Trachtenberg, David Boreanaz, James Marsters, Anthony Stewart Head, Eliza Dushku, Amy Acker, J. August Richards, Emma Caulfield, Nicholas Brendon, and Clare Kramer. A number of former writers on the present additionally weighed in.

Benson corroborated Carpenter’s account and described a “poisonous” set. Trachtenberg, who was 14 when she joined the present, accused Whedon of inappropriate habits, alleging there was a rule on set that Whedon was not allowed to be alone along with her. Many extra Buffy and Angel stars didn’t echo Carpenter’s accusations however expressed their perception and assist. 

A CAA consultant for Whedon didn’t return TV Information’s repeated requests for remark. (Whedon recently exited as showrunner of the forthcoming supernatural HBO drama The Nevers, writing that the dedication of creating the present was “greater than he can deal with” in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.)

In her social media posts, Carpenter describes Whedon’s units as a “hostile and poisonous work setting,” during which Whedon performed favorites with forged members and made “biting, disparaging” feedback, together with “callously calling me ‘fats’ to colleagues after I was 4 months pregnant, weighing 126 lbs.” Carpenter, who turned pregnant throughout her time on Angel, stated that when she disclosed her being pregnant to Whedon, he requested her if she “was going to maintain it.”

“He proceeded to assault my character, mock my non secular beliefs, accuse me of sabotaging the present, after which unceremoniously fired me the next season as soon as I gave start,” she wrote.

20 Years Later, and the Women of Angel Still Deserved More

This is how Carpenter’s Buffy and Angel co-stars, in addition to Justice League actor Ray Fisher (who additionally accused Whedon of misconduct on that set), have responded to her allegations.

Amber Benson

Quickly after Carpenter posted her feedback, Amber Benson, who performed Tara Maclay on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, tweeted that Carpenter “is talking reality and I assist her 100%.”

“Buffy was a poisonous setting and it begins on the high,” Benson wrote. “There was a whole lot of injury executed throughout that point and many people are nonetheless processing it twenty plus years later.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred as Buffy within the franchise, referenced Carpenter’s assertion in an Instagram post, writing, “Whereas I’m proud to have my title related to Buffy Summers, I do not wish to be ceaselessly related to the title Joss Whedon. I’m extra centered on elevating my household and surviving the pandemic at the moment, so I can’t be making any additional statements at the moment. However I stand with all survivors of abuse and am pleased with them for talking out.”

Michelle Trachtenberg

Michelle Trachtenberg, who in later seasons performed Buffy’s youthful sister, Daybreak Summers, shared Gellar’s Instagram submit, writing, “Thanks @sarahmgellar for saying this. I’m courageous sufficient now as a 35 12 months outdated lady….To repost this. As a result of. This should. Be identified. As a teen. Together with his not applicable habits….very. Not. Applicable.” Trachtenberg later added to her Instagram submit to broaden on her accusation, implying that administration was conscious of Whedon’s alleged misconduct: “The final. Remark I’ll make on this. Was. There was a rule. Saying. He isn’t allowed in a room alone with Michelle once more.”

Emma Caulfield

Emma Caulfield, who performed reformed vengeance demon Anya Jenkins on Buffy, reposted Gellar’s Instagram assertion, including her personal remark, “Within the sensible phrases of my pal @sarahmgellar.”

Anthony Stewart Head

Anthony Head performed Buffy’s devoted Watcher and Sunnydale Excessive Faculty librarian Rupert Giles for the whole thing of the present’s seven seasons, and, in his 40s on the time, was one of many oldest actors within the forged. Head was requested about Carpenter’s allegations about Whedon throughout a Feb. 11 look on the British discuss present This Morning, the place he expressed his sadness that his youthful co-stars hadn’t come to him with their experiences.

“You may in all probability see that I have been up a lot of the evening, simply working by way of my reminiscences, pondering, ‘What did I miss?'” he informed the present’s hosts. “This isn’t a person saying, ‘I did not see it so it did not occur.’ It is simply…I am unable to…I’m gutted. I am critically gutted. As a result of, one among my reminiscences — my fondest reminiscence, in reality — was the truth that it was so empowering, not simply within the phrases of the script however within the household really feel of the present. I am actually unhappy that if individuals went by way of these experiences— I used to be type of like a father determine… I might hope that somebody would come to me and say, ‘I am struggling, I simply had a horrible dialog.’ Admittedly, the primary submit by Charisma was when she was engaged on Angel, and I used to be lengthy gone, however there are different posts subsequently which are making me assume, ‘How on earth did I not know this was occurring?'”

Eliza Dushku

Eliza Dushku, who performed the vampire slayer Religion after which went on to anchor Whedon’s later collection Dollhouse, shared an Instagram post stating she was unaware of Carpenter’s expertise however referred to as her a “brave truth-teller.”

“CC, my coronary heart aches for you & I am so sorry you’ve got held this for therefore lengthy,” Dushku wrote partially. “Your submit was highly effective, painful, and painted an image we’ll collectively by no means un-see or un-know. Thanks. I hadn’t identified it and I will not neglect it. … Neglecting to ‘title’ the facility/gender/sexual/racial abuse epidemic within the leisure business (and for that matter society generally) permits the abusers and solely emboldens and in the end fortifies abusive methods. Might you and numerous others really feel the solidarity and connection you’ve got possible missed for too lengthy.”

Dushku has beforehand spoken out towards sexual misconduct in Hollywood, alleging in 2018 she was molested on the age of 12 by a stunt coordinator on the set of True Lies. (Two extra girls got here ahead with similar claims. Joel Kramer, the accused, denied the accusations.) Dushku additionally acquired a $9.5 million settlement from CBS when an inner investigation discovered she was written off well-liked procedural drama Bull after she accused star Michael Weatherly of sexual harassment. A few of Weatherly’s feedback have been caught on tape. The actor apologized, and CBS has repeatedly defended its choice to resume Bull, citing the present’s reputation.

James Marsters

James Marsters, who performed fan-favorite vampire Spike in each collection, tweeted his support.

“Whereas I’ll all the time be honored to have performed the character of Spike, the Buffy set was not with out challenges,” Marsters wrote. “I don’t assist abuse of any sort, and am heartbroken to study of the experiences of among the forged. I ship my love and assist to all concerned.”

David Boreanaz

David Boreanaz performed the titular star of Angel, performing reverse Carpenter’s feminine lead, Cordelia Chase. A number of days after Carpenter posted her allegations, Boreanaz replied on Twitter, writing, “I’m right here so that you can hear and assist you. Happy with your energy.” Carpenter responded, “I do know you are there for me, David. I admire all you’ve got executed to show that assist privately as properly. Particularly since Wednesday. -Thanks a lot.”

J. August Richards

J. August Richards, who performed vampire hunter Charles Gunn in Angel, expressed his assist in a reply to Carpenter’s tweet, writing, “Sending you my love, @allcharisma. I do know the sentiments of vulnerability and concern that include talking your reality. As I stated to you yesterday, I’m right here for you, nonetheless you want me.”

Carpenter responded, “As I stated on our name, many individuals are watching how my reality assertion is acquired. Once they see a constructive, loving embrace from ppl such as you, it creates house for their very own tales to be heard. Thanks. Plz know I’m impressed by you for talking your coronary heart too. Love you.”

Carpenter, who included a rainbow emoji in her tweet, was referencing Richards’ choice final 12 months to announce that he’s homosexual; the actor shared a clip from an interview explaining his choice to return out.

Amy Acker

Amy Acker, who performed physicist Winifred “Fred” Burkle on Angel, weighed in on Twitter, writing, “I’ll all the time be pleased with the work all of us did on Angel. Whereas I personally had a great {and professional} expertise, it’s heartbreaking to listen to that not everybody did. I don’t condone any actions that made anybody really feel damage or uncomfortable, and I provide love and assist to everybody who’s talking out to inform their truths.”

20 Years Later, and the Women of Angel Still Deserved More

Nicholas Brendon

Nicholas Brendon, who performed Buffy’s greatest pal and fellow vampire hunter Xander Harris, addressed Carpenter’s allegations in a video posted to his Facebook page, filmed from his hospital room the place he was ready to endure again surgical procedure.

“You understand, I imply, until you already know Joss, it is a scenario the place it is simply kinda, like… out of this, I simply hope that progress comes, and therapeutic, after which being a greater individual and higher individuals. ‘Trigger I feel that is what day-after-day is about. You understand what I imply? Not beating any individual up,” Brendon will be heard saying towards the top of the video. “Have been there transgressions? Yeah, there have been. And to me as properly, you already know what I imply? It is like, I had my relationship with Joss as properly. And I like him. … I imply for me, I took the great, I took the unhealthy, however that is not all people.”

Brendon went on to suggest his relationship with Whedon is sophisticated. “Like I stated, I like and assist CC [Carpenter] very a lot, and I do know that story, and it is not a form story. I do know my relationship with Joss, and it… there’s a whole lot of kindness, but additionally not, you already know?” he stated, choking up. “So it is kinda arduous to present a press release when issues are like that. It is like, ‘Oh, hey, make a press release: My ideas and prayers are with the sufferer’s households’ — I do not do this sh–.”

Danny Sturdy

Danny Sturdy performed Buffy‘s Jonathan Levinson, a aspect character-turned-reluctant villain. Strong tweeted, “Sending love and assist to @AllCharisma @amber_benson @RealMichelleT @SarahMGellar and all who’ve gone public about their poisonous experiences on @BuffyTVS. I actually admire your bravery in talking out.”

Clare Kramer

Clare Kramer, who performed hell god Glory, the main villain within the present’s fifth season, additionally tweeted her support, saying she believes the actors who’re talking out: “For what it is value, I consider and stand with @allcharisma, @ray8fisher, @amber_benson, and others who’ve the energy to return ahead with their reality. Numerous this business wants a reset.”

Marti Noxon

Marti Noxon, a author and govt producer on Buffy who took over as showrunner in Season 6, shared her assist for Carpenter and her castmates in a tweet, writing, “I want to validate what the ladies of Buffy are saying and assist them in telling their story. They need to be heard. I perceive the place @AllCharisma, Amber, Michelle and all the ladies who’ve spoken out are coming from.”

Noxon additionally posted a hyperlink to an article she co-wrote with former Mad Males employees author Kater Gordon (who has publicly criticized Whedon) about their very own experiences with poisonous showrunners. Within the article, Noxon described how girls in Hollywood are pressured to stay quiet about sexual harassment and hostile work environments.

Jose Molina

Jose Molina, a author on Whedon’s sci-fi collection Firefly, quoted Carpenter in a tweet of his own and backed up her characterization of Whedon, writing, “‘Casually merciless’ is an ideal manner of describing Joss. He thought being imply was humorous. Making feminine writers cry throughout a notes session was particularly hysterical. He truly preferred to boast concerning the time he made one author cry twice in a single assembly.”

Carpenter responded, “I am sorry to listen to this about your colleagues’ expertise. Hopefully, these tales is not going to be in useless. Hopefully, we will institute methods within the office to guard workers from being subjected to sexual misconduct, merciless, demeaning, and humiliating behaviors by superiors.”

Ray Fisher

In Carpenter’s social media posts about Whedon, she stated she stands with Ray Fisher, the Justice League actor who seven months in the past accused Whedon of “gross, abusive, unprofessional” habits towards the film’s forged and crew whereas he was directing reshoots for the movie in 2017. Fisher’s remark led Warner Bros. to launch an inner investigation, during which Carpenter stated she participated.

“Not too long ago, I participated in WarnerMedia’s Justice League investigation as a result of I consider Ray to be an individual of integrity who’s telling the reality,” she wrote. “His firing as Cyborg in The Flash was the final straw for me. Though I’m not shocked, I’m deeply pained by it.”

She stated she feels partly accountable attributable to her silence about her personal expertise.

“It’s abundantly evident that Joss has persevered in his dangerous actions, persevering with to create wreckage in his wake,” she wrote. “My hope now, by lastly coming ahead about these experiences, is to create house for the therapeutic of others who I do know have skilled related serialized abuses of energy.”

Fisher thanked Carpenter on Twitter, writing, “Charisma Carpenter is without doubt one of the bravest individuals I do know. I’m ceaselessly grateful for her braveness and for her lending her voice to the Justice League investigation. Learn her reality. Share her reality. Defend her in any respect prices.”

Charisma Carpenter

Learn Carpenter’s full assertion under:

For practically twenty years, I’ve held my tongue and even made excuses for sure occasions that traumatize me to today.

Joss Whedon abused his energy on quite a few events whereas engaged on the units of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Whereas he discovered his misconduct amusing, it solely served to accentuate my efficiency anxiousness, disempower me, and alienate me from my friends. The disturbing incidents triggered a continual bodily situation from which I nonetheless endure. It’s with a beating, heavy coronary heart that I say I coped in isolation and, at occasions, destructively.

Final summer season, when Ray Fisher publicly accused Joss of abusive and unprofessional habits towards the forged and crew throughout reshoots on the Justice League set in 2017, it gutted me. Joss has a historical past of being casually merciless. He has created hostile and poisonous work environments since his early profession. I do know as a result of I skilled it first-hand. Repeatedly.

Like his ongoing, passive-aggressive threats to fireplace me, which wreaks havoc on a younger actor’s shallowness. And callously calling me ‘fats’ to colleagues after I was 4 months pregnant, weighing 126 lbs. He was imply and biting, disparaging about others overtly, and sometimes performed favorites, placing individuals towards each other to compete and vie for his consideration and approval.

He referred to as me in for a sit-down assembly to interrogate and berate me concerning a rosary tattoo I obtained to assist me really feel extra spiritually grounded in an more and more risky work local weather that affected me bodily.

Joss deliberately refused a number of calls from my brokers making it inconceivable to attach with him to inform him the information that I used to be pregnant. Lastly, as soon as Joss was apprised of the scenario, he requested a gathering with me. In that closed-door assembly, he requested me if I used to be ‘going to maintain it’ and manipulatively weaponized my womanhood and religion towards me. He proceeded to assault my character, mock my non secular beliefs, accuse me of sabotaging the present, after which unceremoniously fired me the next season as soon as I gave start.

At six months pregnant, I used to be requested to report back to work at 1:00 AM after my physician really helpful shortening my work hours. Our to lengthy and bodily demanding days and the emotional stress of getting to defend my wants as a working pregnant lady, I started to expertise Braxton Hicks contractions. It was clear to me that 1:00 AM name was retaliatory.

Again then, I felt powerless and alone. With no different possibility, I swallowed the mistreatment and carried on. In any case, I had a child on the best way, and I used to be the first breadwinner of my rising household. Sadly, all this was taking place throughout one of the great time in new motherhood. All that promise and pleasure sucked proper out. And Joss was the vampire.

Regardless of the harassment, part of me nonetheless sought his validation. I made excuses for his habits and repressed my very own ache. I’ve even said publicly at conventions that I would work with him once more. Solely just lately, after years of remedy and a wake-up name from the Time’s Up motion, do I perceive the complexities of this demoralized pondering. It’s inconceivable to know the psyche with out enduring the abuse. Our society and business vilify the victims and glorify the abusers for his or her accomplishments. The onus is on the abused with an expectation to simply accept and adapt to be employable. No accountability on the transgressor who sails on unscathed. Unrepentant. Remorseless.

These reminiscences and extra have weighed on my soul like bricks for practically half of my life. I want I stated one thing sooner. I want I had the composure and braveness all these years in the past. However I muted myself in disgrace and conditioned silence.

With tears welling, I really feel an amazing sense of accountability to Ray and others for remaining personal about my expertise with Joss and the struggling it has prompted me. It’s abundantly evident that Joss has persevered in his dangerous actions, persevering with to create wreckage in his wake. My hope now, by lastly coming ahead about these experiences, is to create house for the therapeutic of others who I do know have skilled related serialized abused of energy.

Not too long ago, I participated in WarnerMedia’s Justice League investigation as a result of I consider Ray to be an individual of integrity who’s telling the reality. His firing as Cyborg in The Flash was the final straw for me. Though I’m not shocked, I’m deeply pained by it. It troubles and saddens me that in 2021 professionals STILL have to decide on between whistleblowing within the office and job safety.

It has taken me so lengthy to muster the braveness to make this assertion publicly. The gravity of it’s not misplaced on me. As a single mom whose household’s livelihood relies on my craft, I am scared. Regardless of my expensive about its influence on my future, I can now not stay silent. That is overdue and crucial. It’s time.