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Eliza Dushku is the latest 'Buffy' star to address Joss Whedon controversy

FILE - In this April 5, 2016 file photo, actress Eliza Dushku poses at the premiere of the film
Eliza Dushku said her "heart aches" for her co-star (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File) (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Buffy The Vampire Slayer actress Eliza Dushku has shared support for her co-star Charisma Carpenter, who earlier this week accused the show’s creator of building a “toxic environment” on set.

In a post shared on social media, Carpenter – who played Cordelia Chase in the hit drama – alleged Joss Whedon created a “hostile working environment” and accused him of being “casually cruel” and “abusing his power”.

Whedon is yet to address the allegations.

Read more: Joss Whedon: A timeline of allegations

In the wake of Carpenter’s post, numerous Buffy stars have spoken out and in a social media post, Dushku told her co-star: “My heart aches for you & I’m so sorry you have held this for so long.” [sic]

Eliza Dushku and Joss Whedon (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/WireImage)
Eliza Dushku and Joss Whedon in 2003 (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/WireImage) (Albert L. Ortega via Getty Images)

Writing on Instagram, she added: “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.”

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Dushku, who played Faith in Buffy and its spin-off series Angel, 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,” she added.

Watch: Charisma Carpenter accuses Buffy boss Joss Whedon of misconduct on set

Buffy’s lead actress, Sarah Michelle Gellar, has also addressed the controversy – throwing her support behind Carpenter.

Their fellow co-star Michelle Trachtenberg also spoke out, alleging Whedon was responsible for “not appropriate behaviour” she experienced as a teenage star.

Speaking on Thursday's episode of This Morning, Anthony Head (who played Robert Giles) said he felt "gutted" about the allegations.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer. (Getty Images)
Buffy The Vampire Slayer. (Getty Images)

"I’m seriously gutted because one of my memories, my fondest memory was the fact that it was so empowering," he said. "Not just with the words in the script, but the family feel of the show.

“I am really sad if people went through these experiences.”

Whedon created Buffy in the late 1990s and has since worked on projects including multiple Marvel films.