Buffy’s Joss Whedon ‘boasted about making female writers cry’, claims Firefly writer
Joss Whedon. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon “boasted” about “making female writers cry” during meetings, a Firefly writer claimed Saturday (13 February).
Whedon, 56, has faced explosive accusations from Buffy and Angel cast members in recent days after Charisma Carpenter accused Joss Whedon of “abusing his power”.
Justice League star Ray Fisher last year levelled similar allegations of misconduct against Whedon. Whedon remained silent, until Fisher (who is Black) alleged his skin tone had been altered in the film, prompting a specific denial from the writer-director.
It’s now been alleged that the culture of workplace toxicity also extended to Firefly, Whedon’s Emmy-winning, cult space western cancelled after just one season.
Writer Jose Molina, who penned two episodes of the early-2000s television show, shared Amber Benson’s statement where she claimed: “Buffy was a toxic environment and it starts at the top.”
“‘Casually cruel’ is a perfect way of describing Joss,” Molina responded.
“Making female writers cry during a notes session was especially hysterical. He actually liked to boast about the time he made one writer cry twice in one meeting.
“#IStandWithCharismaCarpenter.”
Carpenter, who sparked the current wave of allegations, thanked Molina for his support as well as for speaking out.
“I’m sorry to hear this about your colleagues’ experience,” the 50-year-old wrote.
I’m sorry to hear this about your colleagues’ experience. Hopefully, these stories will not be in vain. Hopefully, we can institute systems in the workplace to protect employees from being subjected to sexual misconduct, cruel, demeaning, and humiliating behaviors by superiors.
— charisma carpenter (@AllCharisma) February 15, 2021
“Hopefully, these stories will not be in vain.
“Hopefully, we can institute systems in the workplace to protect employees from being subjected to sexual misconduct, cruel, demeaning, and humiliating behaviours by superiors.”
Joss Whedon ‘abused his power’, say Buffy stars.
Across both Buffy and its spin-off Angel, Charisma Carpenter claimed Joss Whedon “abused his power”, making “passive-aggressive threats to fire her” while pregnant and being “casually cruel” on a litany of occasions.
He, at one point she claimed, asked whether she planned to “keep” her baby before “unceremoniously firing” her after she gave birth.
(L-R) Nicholas Brendon, Anthony Head, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Charisma Carpenter and Alyson Hannigan in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (Fotos International/Courtesy of Getty Images)
Seemingly emboldened by Carpenter, Amber Benson (Tara) and Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn) came forward with their own allegations against the writer. Buffy show runners have also stood by the stars’ accounts.
Both Anthony Head (Giles) and James Marsters (Spike) have expressed their respective “heartbreak” upon hearing the reports. Gellar, meanwhile, has sought to distance herself from Whedon – amplified further by Eliza Dushku (Faith) and Emma Caulfield (Anya).
David Boreanaz, who played the 241-year-old vampire heartthrob Angel, commended Carpenter for her “strength”.
Of the show’s main cast, the “Scooby Gang”, only Alyson Hannigan and Nicholas Brendon have yet to publicly speak out at the time of writing.
Brendon, who played token straight man Xander Harris, is currently recovering from an injury – his partner Sarah Alison is handling his social media.
Joss Whedon has not publicly responded to the allegations. He has been contacted for comment.
