Following Charisma Carpenter’s allegations against Joss Whedon, her Buffy The Vampire Slayer co-stars have voiced their support for her on social media.
Earlier today, the actress, who portrayed Cordelia Chase in both Buffy and its spinoff series Angel, took to Twitter to accuse the director of creating a “toxic work environments since his early career.”
Have a read of the full two-part message below:
My truth. #IStandWithRayFisher pic.twitter.com/eNjYcJ6zwP
— charisma carpenter (@AllCharisma) February 10, 2021
— charisma carpenter (@AllCharisma) February 10, 2021
Her tweets have prompted a slew of her co-stars to come forward against Joss Whedon, including Buffy’s lead actress Sarah Michelle Gellar who has backed her co-star on Instagram.
“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,” she wrote.
The actress added that she’s focused on “raising my family and surviving a pandemic currently. I will not be making any further statement at this time. But I stand with all survivors of abuse and am proud of them for speaking out.”
Carpenter’s statement was also retweeted by co-star Amber Benson, who had the recurring role of Tara for three seasons of the show.
“Buffy was a toxic environment and it starts at the top. Charisma is speaking truth and I support her 100%. There was a lot of damage done during that time and many of us are still processing it twenty plus years later,” she wrote, adding the hashtag “#IStandWithCharismaCarpenter.”
Buffy was a toxic environment and it starts at the top. @AllCharisma is speaking truth and I support her 100%. There was a lot of damage done during that time and many of us are still processing it twenty plus years later. #IStandWithRayFisher #IStandWithCharismaCarpenter https://t.co/WJAmDGm76C
— Amber Benson (@amber_benson) February 10, 2021
SMG’s post was reshared by co-star Michelle Tratchenberg, who also accused Joss Whedon of inappropriate behaviour.
“Thank you @sarahmgellar for saying this. 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 behaviour….very. Not. Appropriate.”
Carpenter’s tweets were sparked by allegations about Joss Whedon on the set of the Justice League and the subsequent actions towards actor Ray Fisher.
Last month, Warner Media completed an investigation into Whedon’s on-set behaviour on the superhero flick.
The investigation was prompted by aRay Fisher’s allegations last July that Whedon’s “on-set treatment of the cast and crew of Justice League was gross, abusive, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable.”
Following Warner Media’s investigation, they said that “remedial action” was taken. Carpenter said she participated in the investigation and considers “Ray to be a person of integrity who is telling the truth.” She said Fisher’s firing from The Flash was “the last straw” for her.
“My hope now, about finally coming forward about these experiences is to create space for the healing of others who I know have experienced similar serialised abuses of power,” she said.
