James Marsters says he’s ‘heartbroken to learn’ of Joss Whedon abuse claims

James Marsters, who played the vampire Spike on iconic ’90s TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, is the latest cast member to speak out after claims of abuse against show creator Joss Whedon emerged earlier this week.

In Twitter and Instagram posts shared Friday, the actor, 58, referred to ‘challenges’ on the Buffy set and said he was ‘heartbroken to learn’ of allegations leveled against Whedon by former costar Charisma Carpenter.

‘While I will always be honored to have played the character of Spike, the Buffy set was not without challenges,’ Marsters’ statement read. 

‘I do not support abuse of any kind, and I’m heartbroken to learn of the experiences of some of the cast. I send my love and support to all involved.’

His statement comes as fans are calling out fellow Buffy stars David Boreanaz and Alyson Hannigan for staying quiet amid the allegations. 

Earlier this week Carpenter, who played Cordelia on the hit show, accused Whedon of creating a ‘toxic’ atmosphere on set and ‘abusing his power’.  

And now fans of the show are questioning why two key cast members – Boreanaz, who played Angel, and Hannigan, who played Willow – have not said anything, while several other cast members have shown their support for Carpenter. 

‘The silence from David Boreanaz & Alyson Hannigan is deafening’ came one comment on Twitter. 

SEAL Team actor Boreanaz, 51, mysteriously wiped his Instagram this week and now only has one photo, showing his father Dave Roberts, on his page.  

‘interesting response from david boreanaz ! deleting all your insta posts to magnify your silence is a new one ! cool one bro !’ one fan wrote on Twitter. 

‘He does have a responsibility to his cast mates and the fans. It’s worrying to see him delete his posts too. Now I feel like there’s more to the story.’

‘There is a responsibility here to stand up for what’s right and I’d always seen him do so. So why not this time?’ another fan mused about Boreanaz on Twitter. 

While another Twitter user wrote: ‘Most of the guys from the show have their own things going on. You notice how Alyson Hannigan and David Boreanaz, the two most successful alum haven’t said s***? But the ones doing direct to video and hallmark films or not working at all are making a bunch of noise.’ 

‘Alyson Hannigan remaining quiet amid this Joss Whedon mess is so disappointing, but not surprising. I hope she grows a conscious [sic] eventually and speaks up against Joss and for her fellow actors that were abused by him.’ another person chimed in.

Two other key cast members; Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander, and Seth Green, who played Oz, are also yet to comment on the matter.

Eliza Dushku, who played Faith on the show, spoke out on Thursday in support of Carpenter.

Dushku, 40, wrote that she ‘hadn’t known’ about Carpenter’s experiences on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and offered her support to her friend.

In her Instagram statement she wrote: ‘CC, my heart aches for you and I’m so sorry you have held this for so long. 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.

‘I frequently think of the saying, ‘we are as sick as our secrets’. Our secrets indeed make and keep us sick. What I’m learning more and more — and have personally found most valuable — is that profound healing can only come from naming and disclosing what actually happened, the necessary first step (once someone’s ready) to freeing ourselves from our secrets, untold truths which have kept us isolated, ashamed, and held hostage.(sic)’ 

She continued: ‘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 ultimately fortifies abusive systems.

‘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.’

Meanwhile, veteran actor Anthony Head – who played Buffy’s mentor Rupert Giles – has admitted he was ‘gutted’ to have been unaware of Charisma’s experience on the show and admitted he’s been kept awake worrying about the fact he had no idea.

He said: ‘I have been up most of the night just running through my memories thinking, “What did I miss?” This is not a man saying, “I didn’t see it so it didn’t happen.” I am gutted. I’m seriously gutted because one of my memories — my fondest memory — was the fact that it was so empowering. Not just with the words in the script, but the family feel of the show.

‘I am really sad that if people went through these experiences.’

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Buffy, as well as Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Buffy’s sister, have made comments in support of the accusations.

And on Friday James Marsters, who played vampire Spike, spoke out in support of Carpenter. 

Amber Benson, who played Tara Maclay, chimed in on Twitter, saying: ‘Buffy was a toxic environment and it starts at the top.’ 

Carpenter – who played Cordelia Chase in the supernatural drama series – has accused Whedon of making ‘ongoing, passive-aggressive threats’ to fire her and causing tension by ‘playing favorites’ on set.

She wrote on Instagram: ‘He has created hostile and toxic work environments since his early career. I know because I experienced it first-hand. Repeatedly.

‘Like his ongoing, passive-aggressive threats to fire me, which wreaks havoc on a young actor’s self-esteem. And callously calling me “fat” to colleagues when I was four months pregnant, weighing 126lbs. He was mean and biting, disparaging about others openly, and often played favorites, pitting people against one another to compete and vie for his attention and approval. (sic)’

The 56-year-old producer has yet to respond.