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Last week, actor Charisma Carpenter revealed the abuse she faced at the hands of Joss Whedon on the set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and angel.
Carpenter skillfully played Cordelia Chase on the cult classic and its spinoff, before her character was pretty much crushed and ultimately written off. Carpenter alleged it was due to her pregnancy.
Numerous Buffy Stars including Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy herself), Michelle Trachtenberg, Amber Benson, Eliza Dushku and Emma Caulfield have expressed their support.
20thcentfox / Â © 20thCentFox / courtesy Everett Collection
Most of the statements were broad, but notably, Trachtenberg, who was underage while playing Buffy’s little sister Dawn, alleged that Joss was not allowed to be alone in a room with her during filming. Alyson Hannigan (who played Willow) is the only one Buffy lead which has yet to release a statement.
Previously, some of the cast seemed to stay a bit silent – especially the male stars of the series. In particular, David Boreanaz, who played Angel on angel and Buffy, had not yet spoken. However, this morning he broke his silence.
@AllCharisma I am here to listen and support you. Proud of your strength ♥ ️🙏
While Boreanaz’s response was short and succinct, Carpenter responded that he also privately expressed support.
@David_Boreanaz I know you are there for me, David. I appreciate all you’ve done to show your support in private as well. Especially since Wednesday. -Thank you very much. ♥ ️
Other male stars have spoken recently as well, including James Marsters, who played Spike, Buffy’s other main sweetheart (we’re not talking about Riley in this house). Marsters has also been featured extensively on Angel.
While I will always be honored to have played the character of Spike, the Buffy set was not without its challenges. I am not supporting any abuse of any kind and am heartbroken to learn from the experiences of some of the cast. I send my love and support to everyone involved.
Marsters’ statement echoed Gellar’s – she also said how proud she was of her character and heritage, but distanced herself from Joss.
Anthony Stewart Head, who played mentor Giles on Buffy, also spoke about the allegations last week, sharing his grief over not being aware of the abuse.
James Sorenson / 20th Century Fox / courtesy Everett Collection
“I’m drained,” he said, adding that he believed the victims and that just because he didn’t see it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. “I was kind of like a father figure … I was hoping someone would come up to me and say, ‘I’m fighting, I just had a horrible conversation.'”
Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander on Buffy, spoke about Joss in a Facebook Live video yesterday. He expressed both his support for Carpenter and his mixed feelings about the ordeal. While Brendon says he has love for Joss, he’s also experienced the director’s meanness.
Kevin Winter / Getty Images
In the video from the hospital (where he’s waiting for spine surgery), Brendon said he hopes growth and healing will come from it and Joss can become a better person. He suggested that he had seen and experienced “transgressions” himself, but that he loved Joss, taking the bad with the good.
Speaking of Carpenter, Brendon expressed his love and support for her, saying, “I know that story. It’s not a kind story.” He then seemed to get emotional, stating, “I know my relationship with Joss, and there’s a lot of it … a lot of kindness. But also a lot of not …”
20th Century Fox / courtesy Everett Collection
This is perhaps the longest statement any of the cast members have made beyond Carpenter, and marks Brendon as the only male costar to suggest he’s too experienced or witnessed the abuse. However, Brendon said he was not yet ready to issue an official statement.
Actors who played smaller roles on Buffy and angel (like Julie Benz, Tom Lenk, Adam Busch, Amy Acker and Danny Strong), have also expressed their support. Jeff Mariotte, writer for the Buffy novels and comics, issued a lengthy statement condemning Whedon’s actions.
I believe absolutely everything Charisma says. It matches everything I’ve seen and heard about Joss over the years. He poses as a feminist and he can pretend for a while. But when the spotlight is off, the truth emerges. 4 /
Joss himself also did not respond to the allegations. We’ll keep you posted if he does.
Michael Tullberg / Getty Images
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