'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' star Charisma Carpenter speaks up about on-set abuse

Best known for her role as Cordelia Chase in “Angel” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” actress Charisma Carpenter recently spoke out about her traumatizing experience on set with show-runner Joss Whedon.

“Whedon abused his power on numerous occasions while working together on the sets of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘Angel,’” Carpenter said in a Twitter thread. “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.”

Carpenter participated in WarnerMedia's investigation on the “Justice League” set, which was started after Ray Fisher (Cyborg in “Justice League”) made several allegations on his mistreatment during filming by director Whedon and producers Geoff Johns and Jon Berg.

The investigation has since concluded, resulting in WarnerMedia cutting ties with Whedon. But similarly, Fisher was outright fired. Cyborg’s role in the next DC film “The Flash” was completely scrapped.

This is an obvious move from WarnerMedia to silence Fisher and showcases what happens when actors (especially actors of color) speak out publicly against studios.

But Fisher won’t be silenced any time soon. On Jan. 13, the actor made a statement against the current President of DC Films Walter Hamada and his alleged interference in the “Justice League” investigation to protect Johns.

Fisher’s courage against these powerful men in the industry inspired Carpenter to do the same, whose tweet was accompanied by the hashtag, "IStandWithRayFisher."

“While he found his misconduct amusing, it only served to intensify my performance anxiety, disempower me and alienate me from my peers,” said Carpenter. “(Whedon) has a history of being casually cruel. He has created hostile and toxic work environments since his early career. I know because I experienced it first hand.”

While many people were surprised by her statement on Whedon after two decades since the shows have ended, this isn’t shocking news for fans. For example, we can look at her character’s cruel mistreatment on the later seasons of “Angel” — she took a turn for the worst in season four, then was written off the show via a random coma and death. There were rumors for years that her character’s mischaracterization was due to Whedon being upset with Carpenter’s pregnancy.

"I think what happened, you know, my relationship with (Whedon) became strained ... I was going through my stuff, and then, I became pregnant and I guess, in his mind, he had a different way of seeing the season go," Carpenter said in a Dragon Con 2009 panel event.

In celebration of the show’s 20th anniversary two years ago, the starlet did an interview with Complex where she appeared to be very uncomfortable when asked about her departure from the show and season four. She said, “I try not to talk about that.”

“It's always interesting to me because when I hear that fans love season (four), it was just really tough. It was just a tough, tough time. It was tough logistically,” Carpenter said. “It was probably the hardest thing I've gone through because I am by nature, a people pleaser, and I want to give my best, but I also do have limitations, and I can only do so much when you're in that state so it was a real challenge.”

Carpenter, like so many other victims, may not have realized what they’re going through at that moment as the mind attempts to protect itself.

“Despite the harassment, a part of me still sought his validation. I made excuses for his behavior and repressed my own pain,” she said. “It is impossible to understand the psyche without enduring the abuse. Our society and industry vilify the victims and glorify the abusers for their accomplishments. The onus is on the abused with an expectation to accept and adapt to be employable.”

Several of Carpenter’s co-stars have spoken out on social media in support, sharing their own struggles against Whedon:

“While I am proud to have my name associated with Buffy ... I don’t want to be forever associated with the name ... Whedon,” said Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) on Instagram. "I stand with all survivors of abuse and am proud of them for speaking out.”

Michelle Trachtengerg, who was a teenager when she played Buffy’s younger sister on the show, posted on Instagram about how there was a rule on set that Whedon was not allowed alone in a room with her.

"Buffy was a toxic environment, and it starts at the top,” said Amber Benson (Tara in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) on Twitter. “There was a lot of damage done during that time and many of us are still processing it (20) plus years later.”

Eliza Dushku (Faith in both “Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' and “Angel”) said on her Instagram: “Your post was powerful, painful and painted a picture we’ll collectively never (unsee) or (unknow). Thank you. I hadn’t known it, and I won’t forget it … May you and countless others feel the solidarity and connection you have likely missed for too long. From courage (comes) change and hope. It starts and will end (due to) courageous truth-tellers like you.”

“I am here for you to listen and support you. Proud of your strength,” said David Boreanaz, the show’s lead and Carpenter’s character’s love interest, on Twitter. 

Carpenter replied and said: “I know you’re there for me, (Boreanaz). I appreciate all you’ve done to demonstrate that support privately as well. Especially since Wednesday. -Thank you so much.”

Long gone are the days when everyone looked at Whedon with gleaming eyes, idolizing him for making “true” feminist media. I’m glad. Whedon was able to hide behind his “strong female characters” in order to manipulate the actors behind the scenes, and it’s absolutely disgusting.

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” are beloved shows, with fans who are as devoted now as they were when the shows first premiered. It’s hard to find out that your favorite show is seeped with so much trauma from behind the scenes, that its main creator was awful and cruel.

This new knowledge may make you see the characters and their arcs differently. It may make you question the showrunner’s reasoning behind certain season plots or episodes.

When Fisher spoke out against Whedon’s mistreatment during the “Justice League” reshoots, there weren’t any questions about whether we could still enjoy the movie. The parts Whedon wrote in and reshot (reshaping Zac Snyder’s original story idea) were objectively awful. No one likes that movie. We’re fine with writing it off from our collective memory.

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” are different. They’re beloved. Are we allowed to still love it? I think that’s a complicated issue for each person to resolve on their own. I’m a big fan of both shows, but I am very aware of their issues and criticize them regularly. While these shows are important and broke ground for their depictions of female characters and strong storylines portrayed on television, we should move on. Whedon is simply not that fantastic writer we thought he was.

Let’s, instead, give that space to other actually amazing female writers and directors. Let’s not forget men and women of color too, who are always fighting to get their voices and stories heard. Fisher and Carpenter are the latest to ensure their stories get told so others won’t suffer, but these situations happen everywhere around the world. Let’s not forget about them, either.