HBO confirmed Joss Whedon won't be featured in the marketing for The Nevers.
The news comes on the heels of Charisma Carpenter alleging Whedon engaged in abusive behavior towards her on the sets of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. "When I read Charisma Carpenter's accounts, it was distressing," HBO and HBO Max Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys told THR.
Whedon created The Nevers and served as showrunner before stepping down in November 2020, citing his physical exhaustion from making the series in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. "On The Nevers, he's left the show. You've seen his statement," Bloys noted. He went on to say Carpenter's allegation "hasn't really affected" the series' promotional campaign, pointing out that The Nevers' teaser trailer didn't mention Whedon. "Yes, you would expect to have that name [in marketing materials] but the show and the creative is going to speak for itself. A marketing campaign can only do so much; the show and the creative have to stand on its own."
Other Buffy cast members have lent their support to Carpenter, with Amber Benson writing, "Buffy was a toxic environment and it starts at the top. [Carpenter] is speaking truth and I support her 100%." Sarah Michelle Gellar also voiced her support for Carpenter, writing, "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." Michelle Trachtenberg later thanked Gellar for her post before alleging Whedon behaved inappropriately towards her on the Buffy set.
Whedon has recently faced other allegations of misconduct and abuse on his film and television productions, beginning with claims from Justice League actor Ray Fisher which led to an investigation by WarnerMedia. The investigation concluded in December 2020, with WarnerMedia saying " remedial action has been taken." Fisher said he believed Whedon's departure from The Nevers was related to the investigation, adding, "I have no intention of allowing Joss Whedon to use the old Hollywood tactic of 'exiting', 'stepping down', or 'walking away' to cover for his terrible behavior."
Created by Joss Whedon, The Nevers stars Laura Donnelly, Olivia Williams, James Norton, Tom Riley, Ann Skelly, Ben Chaplin, Pip Torrens, Zackary Momoh, Amy Manson, Nick Frost, Rochelle Neil, Eleanor Tomlinson and Denis O’Hare. The series premieres April 11 on HBO.
Source: THR
