Angel star Amy Acker is latest actor to address the ‘heartbreaking’ accusations against Joss Whedon
Amy Acker. (John Lamparski/WireImage)
Charisma Carpenter‘s Angel co-star Amy Acker addressed the “heartbreaking” accusations against creator Joss Whedon Monday (15 February) in an earnest social media statement.
Earlier this month, Carpenter stirred a reckoning of Whedon after she accused the writer-director of “abusing his power”, being “callous” and “unceremoniously firing” her from the WB show after she gave birth, among other allegations.
Fans have been left to reconcile the Whedon who created a world that celebrated female empowerment and the far more negative picture of Whedon described by increasingly more Buffy and Angel stars who have shared their own accounts and thrown support towards Carpenter.
The latest is Acker, a veteran of various Whedon projects. She starred in the beloved Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off Angel playing the studious and kind-hearted Winnifred ‘Fred’ Birkle, as well as roles in Much Ado About Nothing and The Cabin in the Woods.
“I will always be proud of the work we all did on Angel,” the 44-year-old said in a statement posted to Twitter.
— Amy Acker (@AmyAcker) February 15, 2021
“While I personally had a good and professional experience, it is heartbreaking to hear not everyone did.
“I do not condone any actions that made anyone feel hurt or uncomfortable, and I offer love and support to everyone who is speaking out to tell their truths.”
Buffy cast throw weight towards Charisma Carpenter amid Joss Whedon allegations
Charisma Carpenter, who played whipsmart but air-headed debutante Cordelia Chase, issued a statement in support of Justice League star Ray Fisher, who last year accused Whedon of “gross” and “abusive” treatment of the cast.
In her own explosive statement, Carpenter claimed Joss Whedon would frequently undermine her with “mean and biting” behaviour, stoking her performance anxiety while disempowering and “alienating” her from her peers.
Seemingly emboldened by Carpenter, Amber Benson (Tara) and Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn) came forward with their own allegations against the writer. Trachtenberg chillingly claimed she was not allowed “alone in a room (again)” with Whedon on set.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Buffy Summers, has sought to distance herself from Whedon – amplified further by Eliza Dushku (Faith) and Emma Caulfield (Anya) as they all offered Carpenter their solidarity.
David Boreanaz broke his days-long silence with a statement of encouragement towards Carpenter, whom he has supported “privately” since she publicly accused Whedon, Carpenter said.
Both Anthony Head (Giles) and James Marsters (Spike) have expressed their respective “heartbreak” upon hearing the reports.
(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)
Behind the camera, Buffy showrunners as well as top writers from some of Whedon’s other shows, such as Firefly, have come forward with their own allegations.
Of Buffy‘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.
