Buffy and Angel icon David Boreanaz breaks silence on Joss Whedon ‘toxic’ abuse allegations
David Boreanaz (L) and Charisma Carpenter. (Amanda Edwards/Getty Images/IMDb/Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer star David Boreanaz broke his days-long silence Sunday (14 February) as he responded to the explosive allegations of abuse of power against Joss Whedon.
Boreanaz, who played the 241-year-old vampire heartthrob Angel in Buffy and its spin-off Angel, commended Charisma Carpenter for her “strength” in speaking out against the show runner.
“I am here for you to listen and support you. Proud of your strength,” he wrote in response to her original tweet against Joss Whedon.
The short statement not only broke the 51-year-old’s silence on the matter but signalled his return to social media – when the allegations broke, Boreanaz made his Twitter account private alongside wiping his Instagram clean.
Carpenter thanked Boreneaz on Twitter for supporting her “privately” before making the public show of encouragement.
Carpenter replied: “I know you’re there for me, David.
“I appreciate all you’ve done to demonstrate that support privately as well. Especially since Wednesday [10 February]. Thank you so much.”
It came after Carpenter, who played the air-headed but whip-smart debutante Cordelia Chase in both Buffy and Angel, accused Joss Whedon of “abusing his power”, among other allegations.
The accusations quickly ripped through the dedicated Buffy fandom, prompting a wave of the beloved show’s cast members – including Sarah Michelle Gellar – to throw their support towards Carpenter.
https://twitter.com/David_Boreanaz/status/1361004209043173378
I know you’re there for me, David. I appreciate all you’ve done to demonstrate that support privately as well. Especially since Wednesday. -Thank you so much. ♥️
— charisma carpenter (@AllCharisma) February 15, 2021
Buffy co-stars throw their weight behind Charisma Carpenter
Boreanaz, who starred alongside Carpenter in both Buffy and spin-off series Angel, is the latest cast member to wade into the heated accusations against Joss Whedon.
Carpenter claimed the director would frequently undermine her with “mean and biting” behaviour, stoking her performance anxiety while disempowering and “alienating” her from her peers. The alleged abuse culminated with Carpenter being “unceremoniously fired” from Angel after the birth of her child.
Seemingly emboldened by Carpenter, Amber Benson (Tara) and Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn) came forward with their own allegations against the writer.
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).
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.
