Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Michelle Trachtenberg elaborated on her allegations against Joss Whedon of inappropriate behavior on the show's set, claiming that Whedon was not allowed to be alone with her. Trachtenberg joined the series during its fifth season as Buffy’s younger sister Dawn Summers. She was fourteen years old when she was cast and seventeen years old when the series ended.
Trachtenberg’s statement comes in Charisma Carpenter's wake, who played Cordelia Chase on Buffy and the spinoff series Angel, claiming that Whedon exhibited constant abuse and toxic behavior during the production of both shows. Carpenter accused Whedon of firing her from Angel because of her pregnancy and said that he consistently berated, intimidated, threatened, and mistreated her on set. Carpenter spoke up in support of Ray Fisher, who has previously accused Whedon of toxic behavior during the production of Justice League. Numerous other Buffy the Vampire Slayer stars, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, have spoken out in support of Carpenter and corroborated her account.
Michelle Trachtenberg also spoke up supporting Carpenter, sharing an Instagram post from Gellar on February 10 that said, “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.” Trachtenberg’s caption alluded to further misconduct from Whedon directed toward her as a teenager. She has since updated the caption, explaining there was a rule on the Buffy set that Whedon wasn’t allowed "alone with Michelle again.” Trachtenberg called his behavior “very. Not. Appropriate. So now. People know. What Joss. Did.” See her post below.
For entirely understandable reasons of Trachtenberg’s privacy and mental wellbeing, the exact nature of Whedon’s misconduct is unclear. However, what is becoming painfully clear is that he has seemingly left a wake of toxic, abusive, emotionally destructive damage behind him for decades, allegedly abusing his positions of power in reprehensible ways. Trachtenberg’s allegations are particularly alarming because of her age at the time. She has said that this will be her final comment on the accusations against Whedon.
As more people who’ve worked with Whedon come forward with corroborations, empowered by Carpenter’s words, the case against him grows. Whedon's new series, The Nevers, is set to premiere on HBO on April 11. Whedon departed the project in November of 2020, citing personal reasons, with Philippa Goslett stepping up as the new showrunner. It’s unclear at this time if Whedon’s exit may have been prompted by Ray Fisher’s allegations, which have now been backed up by Carpenter, Trachtenberg, and other stars of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Source: Michelle Trachtenberg