Buffy Star David Boreanaz Speaks Out Amid The Joss Whedon Allegations
Yet another star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer has spoken out about the show's big boss.
David Boreanaz, who played Angel both on Joss Whedon's original show and its popular spin-off Angel, has released a statement regarding allegations of abusive behavior on the set of Buffy. After his co-star Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia, alleged that Whedon — who has not yet responded to these claims — hazed and bullied her during and after her pregnancy, Boreanaz took to Twitter to voice his support for Carpenter.
"I am here for you to listen and support you. Proud of your strength," Boreanez tweeted to Carpenter after several days of silence. Clearly, the two have been communicating offline; Carpenter responded, "I know you're there for me, David. I appreciate all you've done to demonstrate that support privately as well. Especially since Wednesday. Thank you so much."
Several of Carpenter's other Buffy stars have spoken out as well, whether they're backing up her claims or simply offering support. Buffy Summers herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar, simply wrote, "While I am proud to have my name associated with Buffy Summers, I don't want to be forever associated with the name Joss Whedon. I am more focused on raising my family and surviving a pandemic currently, so I will not be making any further statements at this time, but I stand with all survivors of abuse and am proud of them for speaking out." Meanwhile, James Marsters, who played Spike, tweeted, "While I will always be honored to have played the character of Spike, the Buffy set was not without challenges. I do not support abuse of any kind, and am heartbroken to learn of the experiences of some of the cast. I send my love and support to all involved."
Some original Buffy cast members have alleged that Joss Whedon was abusive on set
On February 10, Carpenter joined forces with former Whedon colleague Ray Fisher — who accused the director of inappropriate behavior on the set of Justice League — and posted a lengthy accusation against the director on social media, alongside the hashtag #IStandWithRayFisher.
"For nearly two decades, I have held my tongue and even made excuses for certain events that traumatize me to this day," Charisma wrote. "Joss Whedon abused his power on numerous occasions while working together on the sets of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. The disturbing incidents triggered a chronic physical condition from which I still suffer. It is with a beating, heavy heart that I say I coped in isolation and, at times, destructively."
Carpenter detailed several disturbing incidents with Whedon, many of which were centered around her pregnancy, bringing up several examples: "Joss has a history of being casually cruel. He has created hostile and toxic work environments on set since his early career. I know because I experienced it first-hand. Repeatedly. Like his ongoing, passive aggressive threats to fire me, which wreaks havoc on a young actor's self-esteem. And callously calling me 'fat' to colleagues when I was 4 months pregnant, weighing 126 lbs. He was mean and biting, disparaging about others openly, and often played favorites, pitting people against one another to compete and vie for his attention and approval."
Carpenter also claims that Whedon bullied her about her religious beliefs and her pregnancy, forced her to work late and extensive hours late into her pregnancy, and fired her from the series after she gave birth.
"It is abundantly evident that Joss has persisted in his harmful actions, continuing to create wreckage in his wake," Carpenter concluded. "My hope now, by finally coming forward about these experiences, is to create space for the healing of others who I know have experienced similar serialized abuses of power."
Michelle Trachtenberg, who portrayed Dawn Summers, provided her own claims, saying, "I am brave enough now as a 35 year old woman....To repost this. Because. This must. Be known. As a teenager. With his not appropriate behavior....very. Not. Appropriate. So now. People know. What Joss. Did. The last. Comment I will make on this. Was. There was a rule. Saying. He's not allowed in a room alone with [me] again."
Buffy the Vampire Slayer concluded its run in 2003.