After making a public social media post supporting the statements from her Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-stars about on-set misconduct from the show's creator Joss Whedon, actor Michelle Trachtenberg has now expanded on her remarks, revealing an aspect of the allegations with unsettling implications.
Trachtenberg had previously responded to an Instagram post from co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar, which stated that she was proud of playing the title role in Buffy, but that she no longer wanted to be associated with Whedon. Trachtenberg reblogged it with a comment expressing similar sentiments, but has now edited the post with an addition that described certain circumstances during her time on the show.
In her original response, Trachtenberg wrote, "Thank you [Gellar] for saying this. I am brave enough now as a 35 year old woman.... To repost this. Because. This must. Be known. As a teenager. With his not appropriate behavior......" However, her updated post contains the addition, "The last. Comment I will make on this. Was. There was a rule. Saying. He's not allowed in a room alone with Michelle again."
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 Gellar, Amber Benson and Emma Caulfield.
Tractenberg first appeared on the show in its fifth season and stayed on as a regular character through its series finale. Unlike most cast members, she was roughly the same age as the character she played, fifteen years old.
While Trachtenberg gave no indication on what had happened between her and Whedon to cause the rule to be implemented, it suggests that she was subjected to something highly inappropriate given her youth at the time of filming, and also that other members of the crew were aware of the misconduct.
At this time, Whedon has made no response to the allegations.
Source: Instagram