One of the highest profiles Buffy the Vampire Slayer Writer-producers, Marti Noxon, has spoken out in support of cast members Charisma Carpenter, Michelle Trachtenberg and Amber Benson who have accused series creator / executive producer Joss Whedon of abuse and creating a toxic work environment.
Noxon joined Buffy as a co-producer at the start of season 3 and climbed through the ranks to executive producer / showrunner in the show’s last two seasons, seasons 6 and 7. Carpenter was on the show for the first three seasons, Trachtenberg in seasons 5-7 and Benson for seasons 4-6.
“I would like to validate what the women are from Buffy and support them in telling their story. They deserve to be heard, ”Noxon wrote on Twitter. I understand where Charisma, Amber, Michelle and all the women who have spoken out come from. “
Carpenter was the first to speak out on social media on Wednesday, accusing Whedon of abusing his power “on numerous occasions.”
Trachtenberg claimed “inappropriate behavior” by the Buffy creator to her when she was a teenager. She later added, ‘There was a rule. Saying. He shouldn’t be alone in a room with Michelle again. The comment implied that others were aware of Whedon’s alleged improper interaction with the then minor and had put in place security measures to stop it.
In a tweet, Benson spoke of “a toxic environment” Buffy, noting that “it starts at the top”.
The actresses have also received support from their former co-stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and Eliza Dushku.
Noxon went on to make a number of series / show runsBuffy, including Sharp Objects, Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce and Dietland.