Actress Charisma Carpenter accused Joss Whedon, creator of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” of being verbally abusive and creating a toxic work environment during her seven years working with the director.
Joining “Justice League” star Ray Fisher in speaking out against Whedon, Carpenter detailed her allegations Wednesday in a statement on social media. She explained that she participated in a WarnerMedia investigation into Whedon, calling the famous director “casually cruel.”
“These memories and more have weighed on my soul like bricks for nearly half of my life,” Carpenter said. “I wish I said something sooner. I wish I had the composure and courage all those years ago. But I muted myself in shame and conditional silence.”
Carpenter, who played Cordelia Chase on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and its spinoff “Angel,” said Whedon’s behavior triggered a “chronic physical condition from which I still suffer.” The actress alleged that Whedon made “ongoing” threats to fire her, mocked her for her religious beliefs, and called her fat during her pregnancy.
She also accused Whedon of firing her from “Angel” once she gave birth, an unexpected character departure that fans have speculated about for years. She alleged that Whedon once asked her to sit at 1 a.m. when she was six months pregnant, despite her doctor’s recommendation, which triggered false labor pains.
Carpenter said while she is scared to come out against Whedon, she felt an “overwhelming sense of responsibility” to Fisher to speak publicly.
“It is abundantly evident that Joss has persisted in his harmful actions, continuing to create wreckage in his wake,” Carpenter said. “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.”
Fisher shared Carpenter’s statement to his own social media, calling the actress “one of the bravest people I know.”
“I am forever grateful for her courage and for her lending her voice to the Justice League investigation,” he wrote. “Read her truth. Share her truth.”
Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Buffy for seven years, said in a statement posted to Instagram on Wednesday that she stands with “all survivors of abuse” and is proud of them for speaking out.
“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,” Gellar wrote.
Michelle Trachtenberg, who joined the show in its fifth season as Buffy’s younger sister, posted Gellar’s statement to her own Instagram profile to thank the star for her statement.