“Buffy” series actress accuses director Joss Whedon of abuse of power
Charisma Carpenter decided not to remain silent, even after several years. The actress detailed, in a post on social media, the toxic abuse she suffered from Buffyverse author Joss Whedon.
Ray Fisher, who played Cyborg in the superhero movie Justice League , publicly accused Whedon of, among other things, “gross, abusive, unprofessional and completely unacceptable” behavior when he took over as Zack Snyder. The actor also said that DC President Geoff Johns made the conduct possible. WarnerMedia called for an internal investigation conducted by a law firm that led to corrective action by the producer, but with no practical consequences.
Carpenter then decided to detail his own experiences with Whedon, on the set of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and Angel , when playing Cordelia Chase. The initiative was supported by fellow cast members Amber Benson and Sarah Michelle Gellar, who said they support the actress and do not want her name associated with Whedon.
“For almost two decades, I held my tongue and even made excuses for certain events that traumatize me today. Joss Whedon has abused his power on several occasions while working on the Buffy and Angel sets . Although he found his inappropriate conduct amusing, it only served to heighten my performance anxiety, weaken me and distance myself from my colleagues. The disturbing incidents triggered a chronic physical condition that I still suffer from, ”he wrote.
She also explained the reason for her departure from Angel: “Joss intentionally refused several calls from my agents, making it impossible to contact him to report the news that I was pregnant. Finally, as soon as Joss was informed of the situation, he requested a meeting with me. At that closed-door meeting, he asked me if I ‘would keep him’ and manipulated my femininity and faith against me. He started attacking my character, mocking my religious beliefs, accusing me of sabotaging the program and then unceremoniously resigning me the following season, as soon as I gave birth. ”
Whedon has yet to make a statement on the charge.