As the cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer continues to share perspectives about their experiences working under showrunner Joss Whedon, Eliza Dushku has posted a public message in support of Charisma Carpenter, whose Twitter post was the original catalyst for the controversy.
Dushku, who had a recurring role on the show as the Slayer Faith Lehane, posted a text image to her Instagram to respond to Carpenter. "CC, my heart aches for you & I'm so sorry you have held this for so long," she wrote. "Your post was powerful, painful, and painted a picture we'll collectively never un-see or un-know. Thank you. I hadn't known it and I won't forget it."
Whedon has recently faced many accusations of misconduct and abuse during film and television productions, beginning with claims from Justice League star Ray Fisher which led to an investigation from WarnerMedia. This was followed by Charisma Carpenter's public statement which alleged that Whedon's inappropriate behavior had begun much earlier in his career, citing her experience working under him on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Carpenter has since been backed up by fellow Buffy alums Amber Benson, Emma Caulfield, Michelle Trachtenberg and Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Although Dushku's character Faith appeared only in a limited number of episodes spanning from Buffy's third to final season, she was a fan favorite and crossed over for multiple arcs on the spinoff Angel. The relationship that Dushku herself had with Whedon appears to have been healthy, leading to another collaboration on his show Dollhouse, which she starred in for its two-season run.
Rather than discussing her own history with Whedon, Dushku used her Instagram post to encourage Carpenter and condemn misconduct in show business. "Neglecting to 'name' the power/gender/sexual/racial abuse epidemic in the entertainment industry (and for that matter society in general), enables the abusers and only emboldens and fortifies abusive systems."
Dushku went on to praise Carpenter for making her statement in spite of the fears she admitted to having: "May you and countless others feel the solidarity and connection you have likely missed for too long. From courage, come change and hope. It starts and will end because of courageous truth-tellers like you. I admire, respect, and love you."
Source: Instagram