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Buffy star Nicholas Brendon breaks silence on Charisma Carpenter’s allegations against Joss Whedon, says he ‘loves’ them both

‘I had my relationship with Joss as well. And I love him,’ said the actor

Annabel Nugent
Thursday 18 February 2021 07:55 GMT
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Nicholas Brendon has issued a statement addressing co-star Charisma Carpenter’s recent allegations against the show’s creator Joss Whedon

Last week, Carpenter – who portrayed Cordelia Chase on the hit series – accused Whedon of “abusing his power” on the set of Buffy, and claimed that he made “ongoing, passive-aggressive threats” against her. 

Brendon – who played Xander in the show – is the latest of her co-stars to comment on the accusations.

The actor, who was speaking on a Facebook Live stream from a hospital room where he was awaiting back surgery, said that he “love[s]” both Carpenter and Whedon.

“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,” said Brendon. “Because I think that’s what every day is about. You know what I mean? Not beating somebody up.”

Nicholas Brendon is best known for playing the character Xander Harris in the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Nicholas Brendon is best known for playing the character Xander Harris in the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Getty)

He added that he had also experienced “transgressions” from Whedon on set for the show, stating: “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.”

The 49-year-old addressed Carpenter’s allegations, stating: “I love and support [her] very much and I know that story, and it’s not a kind story.”

RELATED: Buffy fans had heard the Joss Whedon allegations – we chose not to listen 

“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 added. “So it’s kinda hard to give a statement when things are like that. It’s like, ‘hey make a statement that’s like, my thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s families.’ I don’t do that s***.”

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His comments follow those made by a number of Carpenter’s former co-stars, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Anthony Head and James Marsters. 

Amber Benson (Tara) and Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn) have since come forward with their own allegations against the writer-director.

Whedon has not yet responded to the allegations.

The Independent has contacted a representative of Whedon’s for comment.

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