Buffy star Nicholas Brendon breaks silence on abuse claims, saying he loves Joss Whedon but ‘there were transgressions’
Nicholas Brendon as Xander in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (20th Century Fox Television)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon has broken his silence on Charisma Carpenter’s accusations against Joss Whedon, saying he “loves” them both.
Carpenter has received a wave of support from Buffy and Angel cast members since first accusing writer-director Whedon of “abusing his power” on set.
Brendon, who played token straight man Alexander “Xander” Harris on the beloved WB show, had earlier declined to speak out as he was suffering from a paralysed anus and penis. He would have to undergo emergency spinal surgery as a result, the 49-year-old said.
Now speaking from his hospital room in a Facebook Live stream ahead of back surgery, Brendon began his spacey but earnest statement by describing his relationship to the Buffy creator.
Nicholas Brendon: ‘Were there transgressions? Yeah, there were’
He said: “I mean, unless you know Joss, it’s just kinda, like… out of this I just hope that growth comes, and healing, and then being a better person and a better people.
“Because I think that’s what every day is about. You know what I mean? Not beating somebody up.
“I mean, were there transgressions? Yeah, there were.
“To me as well, you know what I mean? It’s like, I had my relationship with Joss as well. And I love him.
“You take, you know… for me, I took the good, I took the bad… but that’s not everybody.”
“I love and support [Carpenter] very much and I know that story, and it’s not a kind story,” he added.
Curving back to his relationship with Whedon, he continued: “I know my relationship with Joss and it isn’t… there are many… there’s a lot of kindness.
“But also not, you know?” he said, appearing visibly upset as he spoke. “So it’s kinda hard to give a statement when things are like that.
“It’s like: ‘Hey, make a statement.’ My thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s families.”
Buffy cast throw weight towards Charisma Carpenter amid Joss Whedon allegations
Whether they have issued warming statements of solidarity, come forward with their own claims or simply distanced themselves from Whedon altogether, countless Buffy stars have sought to support Carpenter.
The actor, who played the air-headed but whip-smart debutante Cordelia Chase in both Buffy and Angel, claimed the director would frequently undermine her with “mean and biting” behaviour.
(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)
The alleged abuse culminated with Carpenter being “unceremoniously fired” from Angel after the birth of her child, among other explosive claims of workplace misconduct.
Seemingly emboldened by Carpenter, Amber Benson (Tara) and Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn) each came forward with their own allegations against the writer.
Buffy‘s own Sarah Michelle Gellar, meanwhile, has sought to distance herself from Whedon – amplified further by Eliza Dushku (Faith) and Emma Caulfield (Anya).
David Boreanaz, who played 241-year-old vampire heartthrob Angel, commended Carpenter for her “strength”. He has been “privately” supporting her, Carpenter said.
Anthony Head (Giles), James Marsters (Spike) and Amy Acker (Fred) and have expressed their respective “heartbreak” upon hearing the reports.
Of the main cast, the “Scooby Gang”, only Alyson Hannigan, who played wallflower-turned-witch Willow Rosenberg, has not yet made a public comment.
Whedon is yet to address any of the allegations.
