Buffy The Vampire Slayer star James Marsters has come out in support of those accusing series creator Joss Whedon of misconduct on set. The actor, who played the vampire Spike on both Buffy and Angel, is the latest member of the Buffyverse to either accuse Whedon of inappropriate behavior on the set of his shows or to come out in support of those accusing him of said conduct.
Whedon’s public fallout began when Justice League star Ray Fisher accused the director of toxic behavior on the set of the DC team-up film after Whedon stepped in to take over from director Zack Snyder. Buffy and Angel actress Charisma Carpenter recently chronicled her troubles with Whedon as well, relaying some pretty horrific comments Whedon made about her pregnancy during the production of Angel’s fourth season (Carpenter was fired from the show following that season). Stars like Sarah Michelle Gellar, Emma Caulfield, Eliza Dushku, Amber Benson, and Michelle Trachtenberg have come out in support of Carpenter, with Benson and Trachtenberg overtly confirming that Buffy was a troubled production largely due to Whedon’s behavior.
Now Marsters is voicing his solidarity with his co-stars, while acknowledging he was unaware of their discomfort, via his Facebook page. He wrote:
While I will always be honored to have played the character of Spike, the Buffy set was not without challenges. I do not support abuse of any kind, and am heartbroken to learn of the experiences of some of the cast. I send my love and support to all involved.
Check out the post below.
Marsters’ position of relative ignorance fits a pattern, as the male members of the Buffy and Angel casts seemed to be unaware of Whedon’s behavior around his female stars; actor Anthony Head, who played the paternal figure Rupert Giles, seemed blindsided by the accusations, while still supporting his former co-stars’ claims.
Whedon recently departed his HBO series The Nevers after Warner Bros. concluded their investigation into his conduct on the set of Justice League, an investigation that Charisma Carpenter took part in. While Whedon claimed he quit the show due to exhaustion, it seems after decades of casually toxic behavior, consequences may finally be coming for the once-vaunted director of The Avengers.
The casts of Buffy and Angel are in a difficult situation here. Buffy was a legitimately revolutionary series and empowered a generation of young women. That the creator of that series could turn out to have been so toxic toward his female cast members is stomach-turning, and feels like a genuine betrayal of not only those women, but of all the people who looked up to Whedon. Even Marsters is quick to point out he’s still very proud of his time on both Buffy and Angel, much in the same way Sarah Michelle Gellar clarified she’s proud to be associated with Buffy Summers but not necessarily Whedon. It’s a sentiment that will likely grow in scope.
