Melanie Lynskey Was Spared From Working with Joss Whedon

By Allyson Johnson | Celebrity | July 20, 2023 |

By Allyson Johnson | Celebrity | July 20, 2023 |

Melanie Lynskey, recently nominated for an Emmy for her outstanding performances in Yellowjackets and The Last of Us, continues to impress with her wide range of acting skills. In contrast, Joss Whedon has been labeled a bully and a nuisance who largely falls short of expectations. Remember when he claimed to be a feminist? We are among those who are relieved that Lynskey declined a role in Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

In an interview with Shut Up Evan: The Newsletter (conducted before the onset of the SAG-AFTRA strike), Lynskey discussed being considered for the role of Willow — a role that would eventually be played by Alyson Hannigan. She initially declined due to a lack of interest in television work.

“I was also hesitant about venturing into television at that point. It was quite early in my career. I had an old-school agent who asserted, ‘TV? That’s for has-beens!’ and I countered, ‘I don’t think it is anymore.’”

However, after reassessing her interest and going through the audition process, she didn’t land the part.

Lynskey’s career has been nothing short of diverse and vibrant. From the outset with cult favorites like Heavenly Creatures and But I’m a Cheerleader, through indie bit parts in Away We Go, to her stunning leading role in the under-the-radar gem Hello I Must Be Going and her extraordinary performance in I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore, and her voice acting in Over the Garden Wall, she has showcased her remarkable adaptability. Following the missed opportunity with Buffy, she made her mark on television as a series regular on Two and a Half Men from 2003-2005.

As for Buffy, it would have been a seven-season commitment. Willow’s character only became intriguing midway through the series, and it’s apparent that the female cast members didn’t enjoy a congenial work environment, given the accusations about Whedon’s hostility. Even though Lynskey undoubtedly could have infused Willow’s character with the right blend of innocence and humor in the early seasons before her darker side emerged later on, it wouldn’t have been worth it in the end. Any engagement with Whedon simply isn’t.