Following similar allegations of dismissive behavior and abuse from DC Universe actor Ray Fisher, actress Charisma Carpenter, best known for the Joss Whedon series “Buffy” and “Angel,” has detailed a toxic work environment and Whedon’s abuse of power during the making of the shows, in a series of social media Twiter posts.
Carpenter was pregnant during the time of the spin-off “Angel,” something that allegedly infuriated Whedon and leading to her becoming his target, she contends.
“For nearly two decades, I have held my tongue and even made excuses for certain events that traumatize me to this day,” she began.”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.”
READ MORE: Joss Whedon Exit’s HBO’s ‘The Nevers’ & Ray Fisher Alleges It’s Because Of ‘Justice League’ Controversy
“Unfortunately, all this was happening during one of the most wonderful time[s] in new motherhood,” she continues. “All that promise and joy sucked right out. Joss was the vampire.”
Carpenter alleges things like one production am call-times in retaliation to her pregnancy, ridiculing her religious beliefs, calling her “fat” in public, in front of the crew, and making appalling comments about getting an abortion. Carpenter says she would get performance anxiety from these interactions.
“[H]e asked me if I was ‘going to keep it,’ and manipulatively weaponized my womanhood and faith against me. He proceeded to attack my character, mock my religious beliefs, accuse me of sabotaging the show, and then unceremoniously fired me following the season once I gave birth,” the actress wrote on Twitter.
You can read Charisma’s full statement below that certainly establishes a pattern Whedon that many have alleged against him now.
This isn’t the first time there have been allegations of wrongdoing from Whedon on the set of his projects. There have been stories shared by crew members about his volatile behavior, and actor Ray Fisher has continued to hint towards a toxic set while doing the reshoots on DC’s “Justice League.” Carpenter is also using her social media posts to amplify her support for Fisher.
Fellow “Buffy” actress Amber Benson also supported Carpenter’s claims of a toxic environment.
Joss Whedon nor his reps, have yet to respond to these allegations made by Carpenter. For more of these allegations, see The Cut’s well-researched piece, “A Brief Tour of Joss Whedon’s Many Controversies.”
Update: “Buffy” star Sarah Michelle Gellar has responded, and while not tearing down completely, Whedon or the legacy of the show, she did distance herself from the filmmaker and said, “I stand with all survivors of abuse and am proud of them for speaking out.”