Buffy star Michelle Trachtenberg reveals shocking on-set rule for creator Joss Whedon

One young Buffy star has revealed a shocking rule she says was implemented against accused director Joss Whedon during her time on the show.

Michelle Trachtenberg has added more shocking detail to her statement against Buffy the Vampire Slayer director Joss Whedon, who was accused yesterday of toxic and abusive behaviour from various cast members.

One of the show’s actresses Charisma Carpenter was the first to speak out against Whedon.

She detailed how he fostered a “toxic environment” and often abused his power.

Other castmates were quick to show their support for Carpenter, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Amber Benson, Clare Kramer, Whedon’s ex-wife Kai Cole and Michelle Trachtenberg.

Re-posting Gellar’s statement on her own Instagram, Trachtenberg added a statement in the caption, which has been extended today to reveal one incredibly shocking rule that was implemented on the set of Buffy.

“As a teenager. With his not appropriate behavior....very. Not. Appropriate. So now. People know. What Joss. Did,” she wrote in her original caption, which she updated since yesterday to provide furhter detail: “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.”

Michelle Trachtenberg first starred in Buffy when she was only 14 years old.

A young Michelle Trachtenberg with Josh Whedon. Picture: WireImage

Allegations against Whedon began when Charisma Carpenter, who starred in the first three seasons of Buffy and another four seasons of the spin-off series Angel, came forward with a detailed statement.

“For nearly two decades, I have held my tongue and even made excuses for certain events that traumatised me to this day,” Carpenter began.

Charisma Carpenter was the first to speak out against Whedon. Picture: WireImage

Sarah Michelle Gellar voiced her support for her co-stars. Picture: Getty Images

“Joss Whedon abused his power on numerous occasions while working on the sets of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. While he found his misconduct amusing, it only served to intensify my performance anxiety, disempower me, and alienate me from my peers.

“The disturbing incidents triggered a chronic physical condition from which I still suffer. It is with a beating, heavy heart that I say I coped in isolation and, at times, destructively.”

Carpenter accused the director of berating her when she got a tattoo, of accusing her of getting “fat” when she became pregnant, and threatening to fire her several times.

She claimed that Whedon “manipulatively weaponized my womanhood and faith against me. He proceeded to attack my character, mock my religious beliefs, accuse me of sabotaging the show, and then unceremoniously fired me the following season once I gave birth.

“Back then, I felt powerless and alone. With no other option, I swallowed the mistreatment and carried on. After all, I had a baby on the way, and I was the primary breadwinner of my growing family.

Trachtenberg claims Whedon was “inappropriate” with her when she was on the show. Picture: John Shearer/WireImage

“Unfortunately, all this was happening during one of the most wonderful time in new motherhood. All that promise and joy sucked right out. And Joss was the vampire.”

Carpenter’s statement was retweeted by fellow Buffy actor Amber Benson, who had the recurring role of Tara for three seasons of the show.

“Buffy was a toxic environment and it starts at the top. Charisma is speaking truth and I support her 100 per cent. There was a lot of damage done during that time and many of us are still processing it twenty plus years later,” she wrote, adding the hashtag “#IStandWithCharismaCarpenter.”

Actress Clare Kramer, who played the character of Glory in 13 episodes of Buffy, tweeted her support for her former co-stars:

For what it’s worth, I believe and stand with @allcharisma, @ray8fisher, @amber_benson and others who have the strength to come forward with their truth. A lot of this industry needs a reset..... #IStandWithCharismaCarpenter #IStandWithRayFisher

— Clare Kramer (@ClareKramer) February 10, 2021

And Buffy herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar, then voiced her support for her co-stars while slamming Whedon.

“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,” she wrote on Instagram.

She said that as she is more focused on “raising my family and surviving a pandemic currently … I will not be making any further statement at this time. But I stand with all survivors of abuse and am proud of them for speaking out.”

Trachtenberg initially voiced her support for Gellar on social media, stating: “Thank you @sarahmgellar 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.”