Joss Whedon Was Not Allowed to Be Alone With Michelle Trachtenberg on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Set, Actor Said
Joss Whedon created the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, starring, among others, Michelle Trachtenberg. The Avengers director and Harriet the Spy actor began working together when she was just a teenager, shifting from kid roles to more grown-up fare. However, Whedon’s behavior on set proved an issue for Trachtenberg. In fact, she stated he wasn’t allowed to be alone with her while filming.
Joss Whedon created ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’
Based on the 1992 movie of the same title, Buffy the Vampire Slayer ran for seven seasons on The WB and UPN. The series garnered a massive fan base and remained a cult classic. It starred Sarah Michelle Gellar as the titular character, who spent her days fighting evil. It takes place in the town of Sunnydale, which is on top of a “Hellmouth,” which attracts demons, vampires, and more.
According to Vox, the teen series created by Whedon started as a low-budget comedy that few expected would evolve into much more. Much to everyone’s surprise, it became a hit, inspiring a spinoff (Angel), subsequent comics, and inspiring many others series. Buffy also boosted Whedon’s popularity, landing him lucrative gigs like The Avengers.
What Trachtenberg said about Whedon on the ‘Buffy’ set
So, what happened all those years ago, resulting in people keeping Whedon away from Trachtenberg? Though it’s not clear, fans have their assumptions.
Trachtenberg’s Buffy co-star, Charisma Carpenter, issued allegations against Whedon in 2021. Gellar supported her on social media. Trachtenberg then shared Gellar’s post but added her thoughts.
Gellar wrote she wanted to get away from being “forever associated with the name Joss Whedon.” She added, “I stand with all survivors of abuse and am proud of them for speaking out.”
Trachtenberg reposted Gellar’s statement. She wrote she was now “brave enough” to share her story, which “must be known.” Though the actor didn’t get into details, she cited Whedon’s “not appropriate behavior.” Trachtenberg added, “There was a rule [saying] he’s not allowed in a room alone with Michelle again.”
Given that Buffy ended many years ago, Trachtenberg carried her feelings about Whedon around for a long time without saying anything. Although her statements seem vague, they are powerful. And still others have come forward.
Other allegations against Whedon
Carpenter’s statement came after Justice League star Ray Fisher leveled accusations against Whedon. Fisher’s claims spun a media firestorm, which all of the DCEU film’s leads were asked to weigh in. While not all responded, Gal Gadot did. After supporting Fisher, the Wonder Woman actor shared how Whedon treated her.
“I had my issues with Joss, and I handled it,” she told N12 News in 2021. “He threatened my career and said that if [I] do something, he will make sure my career is miserable, and I took care of it on the spot.”
As the star of a major comic book movie franchise, Gadot used her leverage to shut down Whedon’s alleged threat. But as a teenager on the Buffy set, Trachtenberg couldn’t do the same.
