There have been claims that Joss Whedon was abusive for years, but his most recent accuser is Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia in the ’90s sci-fi series Buffy.
Now she’s receiving support from her costar, David Boreanaz. And it sounds like she’s had his support for a while, just not publically.
Boreanaz, 51, shared a statement via social media on Sunday. “I am here for you to listen and support you,” he wrote.
“Proud of your strength,” he added, apparently referring to former co-star Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia in the ’90s sci-fi series. Carpenter, 50, penned an open statement earlier this month to say Whedon, 56, had “abused his power on numerous occasions,” as the trio collaborated on both “Buffy” and its spinoff, “Angel,” starring Boreanaz as the eponymous do-gooder vampire.
Carpenter responded to the “SEAL” actor on Twitter: “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.”
Boreanaz’s comment appears to be the first male co-star on “Buffy” to back up Carpenter, as well as Michelle Trachtenberg, a k a Buffy’s sister Dawn, who added to the controversy by claiming that the “The Avengers” director was “not allowed in a room alone” with her. Trachtenberg, now 35, was around just 15 years old at the time.
Eliza Dushku, 40, has said that her “heart aches” for Carpenter. “I’m so sorry you have held this for so long,” she wrote.
Sarah Michelle Gellar also spoke up in an Instagram post shared last week. “While I am proud to have my name associated with Buffy Summers, I don’t want to be forever associated with the name Joss Whedon,” she wrote. “I stand with all survivors of abuse and am proud of them for speaking out.”