Update 1: Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar has issued her own statement on Instagram regarding today's accusations against Whedon, writing, "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."
Update 2: Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star Amber Benson voiced her for Charisma Carpenter, calling the show's set a "toxic environment."
Charisma Carpenter, the actress who played Cordelia Chase on both Angel, comes forward with new allegations of Joss Whedon's abusive behavior. For years, Whedon was a major figure within genre entertainment, serving as the mastermind behind Buffy, Firefly, and, at his peak, the MCU's first two Avengers movies. Over the years, however, his star power has begun to diminish, particularly as more allegations of misconduct emerge.
The current swell of accusations against Whedon began last summer, when Buffy, stunt team Jeff Pruitt and Sophia Crawford accused Whedon last summer of on-set abuse. Additionally, Spike actor James Marsters recalled how Whedon reacted in a disturbing way to his character's sudden popularity.
Now Carpenter has come forward with her own story. Much has been said about how Carpenter was written off of Angel following her real-life pregnancy, but the actress has never gone into much depth about Whedon's behavior until now. She posted a lengthy statement on social media, stating the situation with Fisher prompted her to speak up. In the two-part message, Carpenter mentions various instances where Whedon was verbally abusive toward her, particularly when she became pregnant. "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," she writes. Carpenter also confirms she participated in WarnerMedia's Justice League investigation.
Fisher has since tweeted his of Carpenter. See his tweet below.
As more stories emerged last summer of Whedon's horrific past behavior, the situation with Carpenter was viewed in a new light. Cordelia was always a fan favorite character, and many were stunned when she was unceremoniously written off in Angel season 5. Whedon's decision to do so revolved around her pregnancy and, as Carpenter outlines above, came from a much darker place. In continuing to expose Whedon's awful actions on the set of Justice League last summer, Fisher had stated he believes Carpenter, along with Kai Cole, Whedon's ex-wife who penned an open letter in 2017 accusing him of abusive behavior.
Whedon has seemingly begun to face the fallout from these various accusations, having stepped away from his HBO series The Nevers last fall. At the same time, it's clear more needs to be done to hold Whedon able for his actions, as they go back farther than previously assumed. Carpenter is incredibly brave for coming forward with her story, and it needs to be heard by everyone, particularly Buffy and Angel fans. Recent years have seen Hollywood take steps toward holding people able for their harmful actions, but more can always be done. Hopefully in telling her story, Carpenter can find some closure and finally heal.
Source: Charisma Carpenter/Twitter